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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date:September 15, 2020 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-h <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Citizen Participation Plan for Federal Housing/Community Development Funds <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT: Housing and Community <br />Development <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Citizen Participation Plan <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Emila Sutton, Director, Housing and <br />Community Development, (919) 245- <br />2490 <br /> <br /> <br />PURPOSE: To approve the Citizen Participation Plan for use in the implementation of Federal <br />housing programs and funds. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: Citizen participation is an essential component in the planning, development, <br />and implementation of all federal and state funded housing programs. The Citizen Participation <br />Plan sets forth a process to allow citizen input at all stages of housing program implementation <br />as well as during the evaluation and monitoring phases. <br /> <br />The most recent Citizen Participation Plan for Orange County was approved on January 24, <br />2012. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Housing & Urban Development <br />(HUD) has allowed certain waivers to the citizen participation process in order for state and local <br />governments to be responsive to urgent community housing needs. Therefore, staff has revised <br />the Plan to incorporate these waivers. This revised Plan must be formally adopted by the Board <br />of Commissioners. <br /> <br />Adoption of this policy is needed in order for the County to continue seeking Federal funding <br />sources that can be used for housing assistance as part of the pandemic response. <br /> <br />Eligible applicants for funding are: nonprofit organizations involved in affordable housing and are <br />committed to collaborative partnership with the Department and alignment with its priorities. <br /> <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no financial impacts anticipated with this item. <br /> <br />SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable <br />to this item: <br /> GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND <br />INEQUITY <br />The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; <br />religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or <br />1