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13 <br /> <br />She said the same attachment includes a revised sheet, which provides some information on <br />the range of projects that were funded from 2015 through this period. She said the BOCC was <br />generous during this process last year, and Community Home Trust was awarded additional <br />funds for homeownership assistance, and this project has been completed and added to these <br />documents. <br />Sherrill Hampton said under 2016 monies, the BOCC awarded CASA $46,529, which <br />was the balance of unobligated Certified Housing Development Organization (CHDO) funds, <br />and this activity is imminent. She said it took longer than normal to do the environmental <br />assessment, but this has now been received and these activities should be starting within the <br />next week or so. <br />Sherrill Hampton said the BOCC has the recommended projects on page 2 in the <br />abstract, and in keeping with priority needs within the County’s 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan. <br />She said this includes rental acquisition, with EmPowerment utilizing $85,000, which includes <br />last year and this year’s CHDO funds. She said Habitat for Humanity will do home ownership <br />again, with 6 units, which is downsized from 8. She said Orange County received funding for its <br />TBRA, which will be used to leverage local voucher funds, as well as a rapid rehousing <br />program. <br /> Sherrill Hampton said staff has provided a revised schedule, which is a little late, but it <br />will provide less confusion to the public via only 2 public hearings. She said the County has yet <br />to receive its letter from HUD, and so the timeframe has shifted, as noted in Attachment 3. <br />Commissioner Greene referred to attachment 4, and asked if there is a reason that <br />funds went up from 2017-18. <br />Sherrill Hampton said there was tremendous lobbying that year, and she is not sure if it <br />has new found monies. She said she does not know a specific reason. She said this year the <br />funds were reduced by about $51,000. <br />Commissioner Price said when she was in Washington, D.C. at the Economic <br />Development Steering Committee, there was a lot of lobbying and monies were put back into <br />the CDBG programs. <br /> <br />A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Price to open <br />the public hearing. <br /> <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> <br />Public Comments: <br />Steve Drake said he is one of the Directors of Habitat for Humanity, who is requesting <br />HOME Funds. He said Habitat builds several homes annually in Orange County, and sells them <br />to eligible families at an affordable price. He said one of the reasons this work can be done is <br />due to the Orange County HOME funds. He said Habitat uses these funds as second mortgage <br />assistance, which reduces the overall price of the homes, making them more affordable for the <br />families. He said Habitat is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, and looks forward to <br />building its 300th home. <br />Regina Miller said she became a homeowner through Habitat five months ago. She said <br />she is a single mother of two, who moved here after a divorce and lived with family. She said <br />she had stable employment and salary, but her bank would only lend her a small amount. She <br />searched for many homes in her price range, and found one an hour away. She said she was <br />so defeated, but then found out about Habitat, applied for a home and was able to become a <br />homeowner. She said Habitat’s programming was incredibly helpful in building some <br />confidence to advocate for funds for Habitat, and for her future neighbors. <br />Anna Marie Pellett said she is currently employed by UNC Healthcare as a <br />housekeeper. She said she has lived in Chapel Hill for 12 years, and has endured rental price