Minutes 01-25-2019 BOCC Retreat - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 BY THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT For the past year and a half the department, under the leadership of a new Department Director, has undertaken an internal review of its activities in order to complete a restructure to more fully realize its County charge, as well as enhance effective use of available resources. The information shared today hopefully will provide guidance to the BOCC as it reviews and sets policy for ongoing strategies to meet Orange County's identified affordable housing and community development needs. Current Conditions: ❑ According to the 2017 Census data, Orange County has 138,644 residents, which is an increase of 18% over the total population reported in 2000. ❑ Of the County's households making less than $50,000 per year, 64% or 13,160 are housing cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their gross income towards housing. Of the total households in the County, 20% make less than 30% of AMI or$22,470 ❑ The median rent for a 3-bedroom unit is $1,470. o As an update, the mean or average rent for a 3-bedroom unit in Hillsborough as of January 2019 is $1176. o In Chapel Hill, the mean or average rent for a 3-bedroom is $1792 as of January 2019. ❑ According to the OC Affordable Housing Coalition's 2018 Summit Report: o Between 2009 and 2015, there has been a 16% increase in the cost of rental housing in the County. o There are zero (0) rental units of any size that are affordable to the 20% of households who earn less than 30% of AMI. In 2015, only 3% of the total housing units in the County were permanently affordable according to the HUD definition of permanently affordable. o The gap between the supply and the need for affordable housing is wide. o Seniors are the most cost-burdened age group. o The number of low income households decreased more in Orange County as compared to surrounding counties. See Attachment A— Orange County Infographic. Note that data in this section was derived from the 2012-2016 American Community Survey's 5-year estimates, as well as Rentcafe. Orange County FY 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan: ❑ Identified the dire lack of affordable housing for very low income individuals and families as one of the greatest needs. ❑ Identified housing for persons age 62 and above as another of the greatest needs. ❑ Showed that there is a lack of"accessible" housing units in the County. Not including elderly housing units, it appears that there is a need for at least 150 new accessible units.