OC Housing Authority minutes 051816

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Audrey Spencer-Horsley noted that Diane Beecham will be the representative from the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) on the Bond Education Committee. Ms. Spencer-Horsley provided an update on the Proposed Affordable Housing Strategic Plan, community outreach meetings and discussions at the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting. The OCHA Board members discussed the BOCC's possible reservations about the OCHA Board having a role in overseeing affordable housing property which is consistent with the OCHA's mission and state statute and perhaps more education in this area would be helpful to the BOCC. i Financial Report Ms. Spencer-Horsley reported that the total number of HAP payments for April was for 562 voucher holders. She stated that the Department is now pulling from new applications. The HAP payments for the end of April were$308,660.55. There were 13 port-outs and there were currently 33 vouchers on ri the street. Other Business In discussion about how long it is taking voucher holders to find a place, Ms. Spencer-Horsley stated that clients have initially 60 days to find a place and then 30 day extensions are provided up to generally 120 days, more are now needing 120 days and even then some are not successful in finding a suitable rental unit. She stated that there is a great need for affordable units for new and existing HCV clients. Existing clients are being displaced as owners increase rents, upgrade and or sell their units. There was discussion about agencies that provide help to clients in locating housing for those having a hard time finding a unit. There was further discussion by the OCHA Board members about providing more information to the BOCC on the most vulnerable populations and being more specific with the BOCC about needs for housing and focusing more on solutions to address the needs. Additional }r. comments included the need to come up with immediate solutions to prevent voucher turnover. The Board members discussed the pros and cons of the county, non-profits and or the OCHA Board possibly Ik managing new units and paying living wages. In concluding the discussion, Board members agreed that Iauu the OCHA and the AHAB Boards are willing to help do research and assist in educating the BOCC in what other communities are doing successfully to address affordable housing needs. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Angela Rockett, Administrative Assistant Audrey Spencer-Horsley, Director/Secretary ;i i 'i I' i?