Agenda - 09-19-2006-8a - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 19, 2006 Action Agenda Item No. ~-q SUBJECT: CDBG Scattered Site Housing Rehabilitation Program DEPARTMENT: Housing/Comm, Development PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes ATTACHMENT(S): Program Summary Program Revision INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara L, Fikes, 245-2490 PURPOSE: To conduct a public hearing to receive citizen comments regarding a change in the dwelling units targeted for repair under the County s Community Development (CDBG) Scattered Site Housing Rehabilitation Program. BACKGROUND: Orange County submitted a formal application to the N,C. Department of Commerce for $400,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for a Scattered Site Housing Rehabilitation Program. The grant was officially awarded in May 2004. Funds from this grant will be used to repair approximately 15 substandard houses occupied by low-income families in the Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough as well as unincorporated areas of Orange County. See the attached program summary for more information. In October 2003 and August 17, 2004, the targeted units were identified by address, however, since that time, circumstances such as death, ownership changes, and eligibility issues have required staff to make substitutions among the targeted dwelling units.. Additionally, the average cost of completing housing repairs of $33,000 per house also reduces the total number of houses to be repaired from the original 2003 estimate from 15 to 10 dwellings. These changes were discussed with state officials during a recent monitoring visit and they are anticipating this proposed change in program design. The attached document provides detailed information regarding the proposed program revisions. These changes have been reviewed with our partners in the Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough and they are in agreement with the proposed changes. In order to proceed with the housing rehabilitation program, the Department of Commerce requires the County to conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed changes. All comments received will be incorporated into the official program record for this program.. FINANCIAL IMPACT: This grant represents an available $400,000 for housing rehabilitation activities in the County.. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive comments as information and authorize the staff to proceed with grant implementation.