Minutes 01-25-2019 BOCC Retreat - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 Sherrill Hampton described the rental rehabilitation fund and whether it should be expanded. Sherrill Hampton said the affordable housing goals were being met as it relates to preservation activities. Commissioner Marcoplos asked about the urgent repair program. Sherrill Hampton said it is a state and locally funded major program. She said the cost of repair was most times much more than the $8000 given by the program, and that the additional funds from the BOCC were appreciated. She said that single-family funding was very important, but additional investments would be needed; and the cost and extent of repairs, and a greater pool of contactors would be needed as well. Commissioner Dorosin asked about a theoretical house that needed $35,000 of repairs, and whether they would have to come back multiple times. Sherrill Hampton described the variety of grants that could be leveraged to pay for a project, including state and local funds. She said these are deed-restricted, revolving loans. The Board began a discussion on affordable housing and areas for broad consensus. Commissioner Bedford said it is important to include thoughts on transportation with the affordable housing discussion. Commissioner Marcoplos said the urgent repair funds are very important, and urged the group to consider expanding that program, with the possibility of partnering with local training programs and community colleges. He suggested a one or two-day "building blitz" with donated supplies to participate in the urgent repair program as an annual event. Chair Rich said it is important to get housing density in the right places, especially around transit stops and the Greene Tract. Commissioner McKee asked about having a conversation of moving into the rural buffer. Commissioner Marcoplos said he was skeptical there would be consensus. Chair Rich said she believed the Board should use available land and incentives to build affordable housing. Commissioner Greene said increasing the county's supply of land would also be important. Chair Rich agreed. Commissioner Dorosin said the biggest issue with the rural buffer is a lack of infrastructure. He expressed skepticism that using Habitat for Humanity, the Land Trust, and the occasional DHIC project would produce more than incremental results. He said that investment in housing supply and business required investment in infrastructure. Commissioner Dorosin said without infrastructure investment, all investment would be in municipalities. Commissioner Greene echoed Commissioner Bedford's point about investing in areas that have access to transit. Commissioner Dorosin said access to transit disqualified too many areas, perhaps. Commissioner Greene referred to Carrboro's use of a formula that recognized the large cost that transit had on citizens. Commissioner Bedford said she hoped for a further conversation around transit expansion. Chair Rich echoed the potential of using existing infrastructure in economic development districts for encouraging housing investments. Commissioner Bedford said there are lessons to be learned about RTP, and the lack of mixed-use development that has increased costs for people that work there while also exacerbating traffic issues.