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14 <br /> <br />o Request for Proposal Process and Revised Scoring Criteria <br />• 2017 Affordable Housing Bond Projects – chart <br /> <br />Commissioner Price asked if any changes have been made to broaden who can apply, <br />as she was disappointed with the number of applicants in the first round. <br />Travis Myren said staff is reaching out to the Affordable Housing Coalition, and other <br />provider groups, with as much information as possible. He said the first round had a quick turn <br />around, and several providers did not have projects ready. He said this second round will be <br />widely promoted. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said he is skeptical about spending the remaining $2.5 million <br />next year, and then having no funds for the foreseeable future. He suggested spreading the <br />funds out over a longer period of time, as another bond will not be possible for some time. He <br />said Orange County is leading the affordable housing community to the brink of a cliff, will <br />jump off, and then have no money to do anything else. He asked if these funds should be <br />phased over a period of years. <br />Commissioner Rich asked if the County has a policy to look at minority women vendors <br />first. <br />Jeff Thompson said yes. <br />Commissioner Rich asked if a copy of the policy could be sent to her, and if it is in need <br />of any revision. <br />Chair Dorosin asked if a copy can be sent to the entire Board. <br />Commissioner McKee said he thinks the Board is setting itself up with the perception to <br />the public that Orange County will provide a sizable amount of funds to affordable housing <br />every year. He said he does not believe this will be possible. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said Commissioner Jacobs’ point is interesting, and asked if <br />he thinks 2018 elections may change funding sources at the federal level. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said yes. He said he talked with Congressman Price and if he is <br />in the majority party, he will be the Committee Chair on housing, and there would be a direct <br />line of communication through him. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to consider this proposal, and put it off <br />temporarily to see what happens. <br />Commissioner Burroughs clarified that the suggestion is that, with a more friendly <br />Congress, the County’s money may be able to be used to leverage federal money. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said yes, as is done with Lands Legacy funds. He said it is <br />possible that the tax credit may come back in a future budget, and using these funds over two <br />years, as opposed to one, may allow for some more flexible opportunities to garner federal or <br />state housing dollars. <br />Commissioner Burroughs said it would be logical to hold the funds until January 2019, <br />leaving them in the CIP, and make a final decision at that time. <br />Travis Myren said staff could schedule a check in with the Board of County <br />Commissioners in January 2019, as opposed to just issuing the bonds. <br />Commissioner Price said she is concerned for those who are in need of housing, and <br />asked if staff could find out if all of the units that were built are now occupied. <br />Commissioner Burroughs said only two Empowerment rentals are occupied, and <br />everything else is yet to be built. <br />Commissioner Price said if units are immediately occupied upon completion, she would <br />take this is an indication of the need for affordable housing. She said it is her recollection that <br />the County planned to put $1 million annually towards affordable housing, separate from the <br />bond funds.