Minutes 04-03-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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12 after their projects; and due to the enormous housing rehab needs on existing, older housing stock, staff is asking the BOCC if the remaining $49,000 can be used. Commissioner Jacobs said he has previously heard concerns raised that the County’s urgent repair fund is not very nimble, and that there is a long waiting list. Sherrill Hampton said this is true, and she and her team are working on that going forward. She said in the coming year, there will be changes to this process. She said many homes that come in for urgent repair end up having code violations, which delay the process. The FY 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan will be submitted to HUD on or before May 15, 2018. This Public Hearing is one of two (2) public hearings held as a part of Orange County’s engagement of its residents concerning local housing and community developments needs and the HOME Program. PUBLIC COMMENT: Jenny Prater said she has a Habitat for Humanity house, where she has lived since 2011. She has two children, and said she had been in a duplex apartment that was not very nice in 2010. She said she looked for a home, but could not find anything in her budget that was livable. She said some personal issues made her unable to get a loan, though she has a good job at UNC. She said she is grateful for Habitat and the HOME funds, which have provided her a stable home. Marisa Martini said she works for Habitat as the Community Development Manager, and thanked the Board of County Commissioners for its support. She reviewed the many homes in Habitat’s inventory that have benefited from HOME funds, and said homeowners are here tonight to share their stories. Norbert Ronyambo shared his story of his ownership of a Habitat home, and thanked the Board of County Commissioners for its support of affordable housing through HOME Funds, which has enabled him to own a home in Orange County. Jackie Jenks is Executive Director of InterFaith Council for Social Services (IFC), and she thanked the BOCC for its support, and proposed uses of the HOME funds, which include many of IFC’s partners and some much-needed projects. She reviewed statistics about IFC residents, and the extreme lack of affordable housing and rentals for those in the lower income levels. She said it is a very difficult situation for residents to be in, and she supports the County in all of its efforts to support affordable housing in Orange County. Nery Urrutia said he owns a Habitat home, and it is healthy, worthy, and smart for Orange County to support projects like Habitat for Humanity. He said it is not healthy for people to live under bridges, in the woods, or in their cars because rents are unaffordable in Orange County. He said he works and is able to pay the bills and afford a home through Habitat. Robert Dowling, Community Home Trust (CHT) Director, said housing is becoming a larger challenge in Orange County, and affordable housing stock is not increasing. He said the bond will be put to good use, and they need all of the funding they can get for affordable rentals and houses. He said Sherrill Hampton has recommended $60,000 for CHT, $40,000 of which will go to the Northside Initiative, where CHT is partnering with Self Help credit union. He said he hopes $40,000 will cover 2 houses. He said the remaining $20,000 will be used for resale of existing inventory, and hopefully this will cover 2 homes. He said the subsidies are essential, and he is thankful to the Board of County Commissioners for their support. Delores Bailey said she is the Director of Empowerment, Inc., which is the owner of 42 scattered sites affordable rental properties. She said this Friday Empowerment will close on a bond home. She thanked the BOCC for having the foresight to put aside money for mobile