Minutes 06-13-2017-2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Dorosin asked if this is one person. Dorothy Cilenti said they may be inspectors from other counties that want extra work, and some are retired inspectors. Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation: • Housing, Human Rights & Community Development, Pg. 374 • Total expenditure budget - $6,055,782 • Administration Division • No significant budget changes Housing Choice Voucher Program • Housing Rehabilitation Specialist to assist with required inspections - $53,622 to start on 1/1/18 Community Development Division — Recognize two (2) new grants for urgent repair and housing rehabilitation from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency - ($325,000) — Housing Resource Coordinator to coordinate and support rehabilitation programs - $32,222 to start on 1/1/18 — Housing displacement funds to promote housing stabilization and prevent homelessness - $67,778 Technical amendment to add funds with offsetting expense reduction Commissioner Marcoplos said Habitat for Humanity had funds, and asked if there are other funding sources. Annette Moore, Interim Housing, Human Rights, and Community Development Director, said there are other sources: HOME monies; Urgent Repair monies from the County; and two North Carolina Housing Finance Agency grants. She hopes these funds will be pooled and leveraged against the community partners, so as to avoid doing double duty. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the grant total of available funds is known. Annette Moore said she will find out and send information to the Board. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the number of section 8 holders in Orange County is known, and how many people are waiting. Annette Moore said there are 623 vouchers, and of those vouchers there are 558 people who have vouchers, and there are 42 vouchers on the street, meaning those who are looking for housing. She said some of the vouchers are being saved, because starting on July 1 there will be a "homeless" preference in the Section 8 Administrative Plan. Commissioner Jacobs said there is a good chance that the federal government will cut Section 8 funding, and asked if the County has any contingency plan. Annette Moore said there may be a decrease in the housing choice voucher funds in 2018, and the Housing Resource Coordinator will incentivize landlords, as well as educate landlords about the program to increase the pool of landlords. Commissioner Price asked if the items being cut from the requested budget could be identified. Annette Moore said her department requested a housing displacement fund of $100,000, and received $67,000. She said that fund is used to intervene when people are going to lose their housing, as well as looking at obstacles to getting housing. Commissioner Price said the federal government makes her nervous. Travis Myren said staff will keep the Board posted on the fund. Commissioner Jacobs said since this is a new fund, it would be reasonable to see how it works, and amend the budget via the social justice fund if necessary.