Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Commissioners (BOCC) and has to abide by the processes they have put <br />in place for their advisory boards to follow. She explained that sometimes <br />the procedure for getting items on the BOCC's agenda is lengthy and for <br />some decisions the BOCC may have to consult with the legal department <br />or others about items or suggestions from their advisory boards. She also <br />explained that there are competing priorities on the BOCC itself and that <br />they represent ALL residents of Orange County and must acknowledge the <br />various thoughts and opinions amongst them. She stated that while the <br />Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance (Ordinance) is geared toward <br />housing discrimination, the HRC has the ability to address a variety of <br />social justice issues through its community engagement initiatives, events, <br />and conversations. She further stated that the Chair of the Commission can <br />have a conversation with the BOCC and that individual members can <br />write the BOCC if there is a topic particularly important to them. She <br />ensured all members that the staff is willing and able to assist in any way <br />possible. <br />i. Ms. Tara May also noted that the policies and procedures for the <br />County as well as the HRC are within the packets that were given <br />to each member <br />2. Ms. May introduced the packets each member was given and went through the <br />contents. <br />III. Minutes Approval — September 11, 2017 <br />A. Moved to November 13, 2017 meeting because a quorum was not present. <br />IV. HHRCD /County Updates <br />A. Ms. Hampton discussed the work of the Housing, Human Rights, and Community <br />Development Department ( HHRCD). <br />1. She stated that the work of the Human Rights division falls within the interest of <br />the HRC. Ms. Sue Kinzer asked for clarification on the difference between <br />Human Rights and the Human Relations Commission. Ms. Hampton continued, <br />and clarified that Human Rights is a division within the larger County department <br />while the HRC is an advisory board to the BOCC. She also indicated that the <br />HRC is not a separate entity and therefore is subject to the policies and procedures <br />in place for County advisory boards. Ms. Hampton stated that the administrative <br />functions for the HRC are handled by the department's staff, particularly Ms. <br />May. She stated that the Human Rights division of the department enforces the <br />Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance as it relates to fair housing and also works <br />with HUD. She stated that as administrative support, staff can take <br />recommendations made by the board back to the BOCC. <br />2. Ms. Hampton also discussed the Housing portion of the department and explained <br />that the Housing Authority has a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program <br />(HCVP) and touched on the differences between a voucher program and public <br />housing. She indicated that the vouchers are handled by Orange County while <br />public housing is handled by Chapel Hill. She explained that public housing <br />utilizes and manages actual housing units, while a Housing Choice Voucher is <br />given to an eligible individual and they are responsible for finding their own <br />dwelling within a certain time frame. She stated that it is a challenge in Orange <br />2 <br />