Orange County NC Website
IV. Other Advisory Board Updates — Ms. Kinnaird said that she met with Mary <br /> Jane Seyda, CEO of CASA. This organization originally specialized in <br /> providing housing for people living with disabilities but has since expanded to <br /> provide workforce, family and veterans housing. CASA works collaboratively <br /> with other organizations and secures funds from a variety of sources including <br /> HUD, developer fees, NC Housing Finance and property management <br /> income. They now also subsidize rental units and buy scattered site units, <br /> such as in a condo complex, but homeowners' association fees have become <br /> problematic. <br /> V. Outside Agency Resources Update — Ms. Kinnaird said that Family <br /> Success Alliance is housed at EmPOWERment, which owns and manages a <br /> total of 46 housing units, many of which are in the Northside neighborhood <br /> and on scattered sites. EmPOWERment also works with children in the <br /> neighborhood and offer paid internships. UNC-G Immigrant Refugee Center <br /> has a comprehensive resource services list and Family Success Alliance <br /> provides a website link to this services list. <br /> VI. Community Read Update — Ms. Mahaley said that the County Human <br /> Relations Board held a facilitated Community Read on the book Evicted and a <br /> second one will be held tomorrow night. The Board is also planning a <br /> Constitution and Citizen Day Celebration to be held in September. <br /> VII. Department and County Report <br /> Local Voucher Program — Ms. Hampton stated that the new local voucher <br /> program is expected to go live starting in early June. There will be about 15 <br /> vouchers awarded and the application process will be conducted entirely on <br /> line. The waiting list will be limited to 200 people. Service providers will be <br /> able to make referrals by using a code. The local voucher program will be <br /> similar to the federal voucher program and will use a preference system to <br /> include preferences for homeless, elderly, disabled and victims of domestic <br /> violence. There will also be a preference to address urgent community <br /> needs. The local program will allow undocumented people to apply, although <br /> federal HOME funds cannot be used for this purpose. Vice Chair Jacobs <br /> wanted to know how the new voucher program will be advertised. Ms. <br /> Hampton responded that it will go on the website and people who have <br /> contacted the Department in the past about vouchers will also be contacted. <br /> A briefing for service providers will be held on May 15t" and so that the <br /> providers can inform their clients. <br /> Rapid Re-Housing Program — Ms. Hampton stated that the program is <br /> expected to begin in early June. The amount of funds available is $25,000 <br /> and it is anticipated that it will serve ten families for a period of two years. <br /> Page 2 <br />