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<br />3 <br /> <br />to CASA’s Merritt Mill project. Advisory Board members can go to Carrboro’s website to obtain <br />additional information. Ms. Allison Mahaley asked if there were any utility support programs <br />especially with Hillsborough’s Water and Sewer rates increasing. Director Hampton stated that <br />she was not aware of any such program Hillsborough had in regard to water and sewer <br />payment assistance. She would check with the Town and bring information back but suggested <br />persons contact DSS, CEF, Empowerment and the County’s Risk Mitigation and Housing <br />Displacement Fund for available utility and security deposit assistance. <br />Update on Orange County’s Manufactured Home Park Initiative <br />Ms. Hampton informed the Board that the Housing Department and EmPOWERment are still <br />working diligently to meet the June 30th deadline. The new replacement manufactured homes <br />have been ordered and there are only 2 families out of the 3 families; one family chose not to <br />relocate with County assistance. All families were shown up to four (4) potential relocation <br />sites. The Park owner has now come back and stated that the tenants can stay if they come <br />back to the park and clean up. The Park owner wanted to know if the new units could be <br />brought to his park if the families chose to stay. It was explained that the new replacement <br />manufactured homes were available due to needed relocation. If relocation was not taking <br />place then individuals and families could seek assistance under one of the County’s Housing <br />Rehabilitation Programs. However, the terms of assistance may vary based on the program and <br />generally funds provided would have to be repaid. Eleanor Kinnaird asked what would happen <br />if one of the families does not take the replacement unit. M. Hampton assured the Advisory <br />Board members that the new units would be used. Habitat approached Orange County about a <br />family in their home repair program that needed a replacement unit. There are several options <br />for the new replacement units to be used appropriately. Tammy Jacobs asked would it be sold <br />to Habitat. Ms. Hampton responded “no” but the unit would become a part of <br />EmPOWERment’s inventory and the tenant would be able to participate in a Lease Purchase <br />Program after twelve (12) months of successful renting. <br />Ms. Hampton informed the Board that Housing and Planning Dep artments are working <br />together and as other park owners apply for zoning changes or redevelopment or closure <br />occurs, similar assistance would be available, as applicable. Presently, three (3) other parks are <br />exploring zoning changes but nothing has been finalized. Ms. Hampton spoke with the owner <br />of one park and most of the manufactured homes onsite are vacant due to their age and <br />condition. The remaining families moved earlier before the County made contact. Eleanor <br />Kinnaird asked who’s paying for the new units and Ms. Hampton informed her that the County <br />under its Displacement Mitigation Assistance Program (D-MAP) is paying for the replacement <br />units. Ms. Kinnaird wanted to know the cost. Director Hampton state the total cost, including <br />set-up, is $44,000 -$45,000, depending on bedroom size. Ms. Kinnaird wanted to know the <br />source of the funds. Ms. Hampton stated that the funds were set-aside for the Affordable