Orange County NC Website
Jean Bolduc also mentioned the impact of increasing the payment standard to 110% to address increasing <br /> rents in the market area. <br /> Department Updates <br /> HCV Resident Member - Audrey Spencer-Horsley advised that the initial Program participants <br /> identified to potentially serve on the Board did not respond back to invitations to join the Board. Staff <br /> has identified another person who indicated willingness to serve. Audrey said she would invite the person <br /> to the next meeting and provide them an application for appointment to the Board. Mark Marcoplos <br /> stated that he had also been provided a potential Program participant to serve on the Board and he would <br /> forward the name to Audrey. <br /> SEMAP - Audrey Spencer-Horsley discussed briefly the County's SEMAP Score and the goal for the <br /> required Five Year Plan to achieve High Performer status. The County is currently at the Standard level. <br /> Jean noted that the County reached a rating of 85 in 2009, though not high performer. <br /> Audrey also mentioned the inspections required for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) <br /> Program which consists of regular inspections prior to lease up, quality control inspections within three <br /> (3) months of lease-up and annually at tenant re-certifications factor into the SEMAP score. She said <br /> that the Department has only two (2) inspectors that support the HCV Program as well as the County's <br /> Urgent Repair Program, Rehabilitation Program, Minimum Housing Standards and others including the <br /> Department of Social Services Rapid Re-housing Program as well as nonprofit HOME assisted tenant <br /> based rental assistance. She said she is looking at ways to maximize the Programs and possibly increase <br /> capacity for housing inspections. Jean Bolduc suggested that asking for County assistance should not be <br /> ruled out and possibly contracting for services. She reminded the members that the County stepped in <br /> during the Sequestration about three years ago and picked up positions for the HCV program that would <br /> have been lost hampering the HCV Program. <br /> Five Year Plan and Annual Plans - Audrey Spencer-Horsley indicated that she has made a request for <br /> an extension from HUD for submission of the Five Year Plan and Annual Plans as they had not been <br /> submitted in April as required. She mentioned that the Five Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action <br /> Plan had been submitted by May 15"' as due. Some information from that Plan will be used for the HCV <br /> Five Year Plan. She also reminded the Board that there is a 45 day comment period required for the HCV <br /> Plans. Audrey recommended and the Board concurred that goals for the Five Year Plan would include: <br /> • Achieving SEMAP High Performer Rating <br /> • Initiating a pilot and developing a Family Self Sufficiency Program <br /> • Providing support for a strong Resident Advisory Board <br /> • Aggressive campaign to substantially increase the number of HCV landlords including <br /> exploring and implementing landlord incentives and increasing housing opportunities <br /> • Increase the number of HCV Homeowners to 25 or more <br /> • Enhancing Education of Tenants on finding and maintaining units <br /> New Deputy County Manager — Audrey Spencer-Horsley mentioned that a new Deputy County <br /> Manager had been hired for the County, Travis Myren. He will start work June 22"d <br /> Orange County Budget FY 15-16— Audrey Spencer-Horsley advised the Board of the upcoming Public <br /> Hearing dates by the BOCC on the County's Budget for 2015 — 2016, May 21s` and 28th. After <br /> discussion about the importance of keeping the affordable housing needs and issues out front, Jean <br /> Bolduc with consensus of the members agreed to reach out to the Chair of the Affordable Housing <br /> Advisory Board and nonprofit groups in elevating this issue and the importance before the BOCC at the <br /> Hearings as well as during other opportunities. The Board discussed key points including rental housing <br /> 2 <br />