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2 <br /> community that may be supported with HOME-ARP funds and to describe the process that will be <br /> used to distribute HOME-ARP funds. The Consortium's $1.3 million in HOME-ARP may not be <br /> used for eligible housing projects or activities until an Allocation Plan is approved by HUD. It is <br /> not expected that any funds will be committed or disbursed in the near future, since the <br /> Consortium is just now starting the planning process. The Allocation Plan will determine how the <br /> HOME-ARP funds will be awarded to projects or activities and lay out, broadly, which types of <br /> eligible uses the Consortium plans to prioritize. <br /> Once the Allocation Plan is created, staff will follow the process outlined in the Plan. For example, <br /> if (based on the community engagement and needs assessment process) the Collaborative <br /> decides to distribute HOME-ARP funds through a competitive application process and to prioritize <br /> development of affordable housing, staff would then issue a funding application for affordable <br /> housing development projects. <br /> As part of the development of the Plan, Orange County must consult with stakeholders that work <br /> with the "Qualifying Populations" listed above. County and Town staff are actively engaging <br /> stakeholders by presenting at meetings, soliciting feedback through a survey, and incorporating <br /> feedback from the Towns' community engagement processes around ARPA funding. <br /> As the lead entity of the Consortium, the County must hold a public hearing to obtain residents' <br /> comments and feedback on how the HOME-ARP funds should be awarded. Members of the <br /> public may submit comments at the public hearing and during the public comment period <br /> (November 16 — December 1, 2021) to Erika Brandt, Community Development Manager, by email <br /> (ebrandt orangecountync.gov), by mail (PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278) or by telephone <br /> (919-245-4331). <br /> The County will hold a second public hearing in the next 3-6 months. Between the first and second <br /> public hearings, staff will develop a draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan based on the feedback <br /> received during the first public hearing and public comment period, from the other community <br /> engagement and stakeholder consultation efforts (including a survey and presentations at <br /> community meetings), and from the ARPA public participation processes being conducted by the <br /> Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill. <br /> After the second public hearing on the draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, staff will incorporate <br /> public feedback into the Plan and present a final version for approval by the Collaborative. Once <br /> the Collaborative approves, the four governing boards of the jurisdictions that comprise the HOME <br /> Consortium (the Towns and the County) must approve the Plan and authorize Orange County, as <br /> lead entity, to submit the Plan to HUD. HUD is responsible for final approval of the Plan, at which <br /> point, the Consortium may begin to use its HOME-ARP funds. To use the funds, the County will <br /> submit draw requests to HUD through its finance system on a reimbursement basis. Any HOME- <br /> ARP funds not disbursed by September 30, 2030 will revert back to HUD. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no financial impacts anticipated with this item. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to <br /> this item: <br /> • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND <br /> INEQUITY <br />