Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
D. Mr. Eichel shared information regarding an event last week hosted by <br /> Ridgewood manufactured home community residents in southern Orange <br /> County. Ridgewood was recently purchased and residents have expressed <br /> concerns about the new property owner, rent being raised, and infrastructure <br /> and maintenance issues. U.S. Congressman David Price attended the event <br /> and his office is working on a mobile home bill of rights. Mr. Eichel expressed <br /> concern for the residents and encouraged the board to stay informed around <br /> manufactured housing issues. <br /> E. Ms. Root noted that OCHCD is working with staff from different jurisdictions <br /> with local funds to put together a manufacture housing action strategy plan, <br /> but that staff not aware of any federal funding that would fund mobile home <br /> park conversions to resident ownership. Ms. Root also noted that ROC USA's <br /> North Carolina affiliate, Carolina Common Enterprise, is presenting on August <br /> 19 at the Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative meeting and <br /> AHAB members are invited to attend. The discussion will focus on <br /> collaborative ownership and buy-outs of manufactured home parks as a <br /> strategy to address displacement threats. <br /> F. Ms. Fischer asked about barriers to repurposing retail and office space into <br /> affordable housing. Ms. Root noted that staff will research this topic and <br /> provide an answer at the next AHAB meeting. Ms. McLendon expressed <br /> interest in Ms. Fischer's question and noted that innovative solutions may <br /> exist, such as the project at University Mall. <br /> IV. Department of Housing and Community Development (OCHCD) <br /> Updates. <br /> A. Introduction of new OCHCD Director. Ms. Root introduced herself as the <br /> new OCHCD Director. Prior to this role, she served as the Manager for the <br /> Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness. <br /> B. OCHCD Presentation. Ms. Root led a presentation about the Departments <br /> structure, programs, and recent accomplishments (presentation attached). <br /> OCHCD has three (3) primary divisions: <br /> 1. Orange County Housing Authority <br /> i. Maintains 500 Housing Choice Vouchers <br /> ii. Current focus on exiting people from homelessness: 172 <br /> vouchers issued since Oct. 2020 and 94 used them to find help <br /> OC residents find stable housing <br /> iii. Orange County is receiving an additional 19 vouchers from the <br /> American Rescue Plan specifically for people experiencing or at <br /> risk of homelessness and people fleeing domestic violence. <br /> Page 2 <br />