Agenda - 09-10-20; Item 7 - Affordable Housing Advisory Board – Appointment Discussion

Browse Search

Page 2 of 2 Jenn Sykes Other Comments: This application was current on:7/19/2017 Date Printed:7/20/2017 Supplemental Questions: Boards/Commissions appointments: Human Relations Commission Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I serve on other boards and pay attention to social issues. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: Orange County has a real problem with representing voices from lower-income residents. Most boards are dominated by people from higher social classes and have a viewpoint that doesn t truly reflect the issues that concern the majority of the county residents. It s a very white collar view for a place that has a larger number of blue collar people than it oftentimes considers. Across different boards I ve been on I ve made a point to raise that perspective and argue for it, as no one else involved in the local political scene seems to. Yes, there are issues many people will raise that are of importance and impact people besides themselves, but overall in this county the voices heard the most don t reflect what a plurality of the citizens are truly concerned about. I will try with this board to bring those voices forward, particularly by ensure they re able to organize and prepare to make their case. One example is how often the residents of Fairview Park, Faucette, and West Hillsborough are ignored in discussions on items that would concern them. Conflict of Interest: Affordable Housing Advisory Board Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I have served on the Hillsborough Planning Board and live in a part of the county where gentrification and developer priorities have limited affordable housing. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I live in an area where I m starting to see more and more people forced out of their homes and want to help them ensure their voice is heard. Orange County doesn t do the best job of encouraging people who might be in housing trouble to come forward, and Conflict of Interest: Application Date:1/21/2017 Orange Unified Transportation Board Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I serve on the Hillsborough Planning Board and often sit in traffic in the county. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: The county needs more options in the northern part to help people get to and from homes and work. Conflict of Interest: Application Date:1/21/2017 16