Agenda - 12-07-2020; 8-a - Minutes

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13 1 Choice Vouchers. The Department recently sent out more than 100 applications for the 2 Housing Choice Voucher program for residents meeting the homelessness preference in the 3 Orange County Housing Authority's Administrative Plan. While the new Housing Access 4 Coordinator funded by the County and Towns has helped recruit landlords in accepting 5 vouchers, security deposits are needed as well as application fee assistance for these units in 6 order for residents in need of affordable housing to access them — especially those who are the 7 most vulnerable in our community. Since January 2020, 2.5% of EHA funding (about $42,000) 8 has gone to these activities. Based on these numbers and in anticipation of increased need, as 9 families fall out of housing due to lost income and the expiration of CARES funds and eviction 10 protection at the end of 2020, we anticipate that at least $60,000 is needed in order to continue 11 providing security and utility deposits, moving costs, and application fees through June 2021. In 12 order to continue providing flexible EHA rent and utility assistance for those who do not qualify 13 for the supplemental State and Federal funds, we anticipate at least $200,000 additional funding 14 is needed for EHA through June 2021. 15 16 Research shows that housing assistance, such as that provided through EHA, reduces hardship 17 and increases economic opportunity for low-income families.1 .There is also research showing 18 that preventing eviction can reduce costs to the health care system, lower costs and reduce the 19 burden on shelter and other emergency housing programs, ease the administrative burden on 20 the courts, reduce job loss, reduce negative educational outcomes, and prevent the decline of 21 communities that occurs when people are displaced.2 This combined impact is due to the 22 continuing community-wide effort to prevent evictions and homelessness in Orange County. 23 24 Additional local funds allows the Housing Department to continue this work to keep people 25 stable in housing and access new affordable housing through the County's existing Emergency 26 Housing Assistance fund. 27 28 Commissioner Bedford asked if undocumented people would still qualify for these funds. 29 Emila Sutton said yes, and the NC HOPE program also allows the department to serve 30 undocumented folks. She said approximately 20% of those served by EHA so far have been 31 undocumented. 32 33 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Bedford to 34 approve the transfer of$100,000 from the Local Rent Supplement Program to the Emergency 35 Housing Assistance program to provide additional funding for ongoing eviction prevention 36 activities. 37 38 Chair Rich called each Commissioner by name (roll call). 39 40 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 41 42 d. Approval of Pandemic Response Payment to Permanent Orange County 43 Employees and Approval of Budget Amendment#3-A (ORD-2020-025) 44 45 The Board recognized the flexibility and perseverance demonstrated by Orange County 46 employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, considered authorizing a one-time Pandemic 47 Response Payment of$100 per month to permanent County employees who have been on the 48 payroll between March 1, 2020 and November 1, 2020, prorated for permanent part time 49 employees, and approve Budget Amendment#3-A transferring funds from the County's Health 50 Insurance Reserve to a Pandemic Response Payment account to be distributed to departments 51 personnel line items according to the amount of payment required in each department.