Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
29 <br /> Slide #5 <br /> Questions and ❑iscussion <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> T,nFM[CRROLINA <br /> Bonnie Hauser asked what the time frame is for providing broadband service and what <br /> the target area will be. <br /> Travis Myren said the target areas are the areas that are unserved or underserved. He <br /> said service will be deployed within 2 years. He said that most of the proposals included fiber to <br /> the home within 2 years. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that the RFP focused on fiber to the home. He said that the <br /> broadband committee believes they are ahead of the rest in the process. He said finding <br /> contractors and materials will become a problem in the future, so the county should move <br /> forward quickly. <br /> Bonnie Hauser asked if it will be every home in the next two years. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he could not say there would be service to every home, but <br /> that to most homes within 2 years. <br /> Bonnie Hauser clarified that it includes last mile service. <br /> Commissioner McKee said yes. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said the final $2.5 million in the CIP from the 2016 bond has <br /> been awarded. She said it would provide true, permanent affordable housing. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked if staff was in touch with the Big Bold Ideas affordable <br /> housing plan that talks about employers like hospitals. <br /> Travis Myren said that the Housing Director, Corey Root, is on the Big Bold Ideas <br /> committee. <br /> Commissioner Richards said their report shows other employers being involved with <br /> building affordable housing on properties they own. She said Durham Tech is building housing <br /> for students. She said in terms of teacher retention, housing becomes an issue. She said that <br /> this is something that can be considered for open spaces on school property. <br /> Chair Deon Temne said it was important to define who is impacted by affordable <br /> housing and what is affordable. He asked if there was a definition of what it means to be <br /> affordable in this community. <br /> Commissioner Greene said that the rule of thumb is that an individual should not spend <br /> more than 30% of their income on housing. She said if the housing that is available exceeds <br /> that percentage, then the person needs help with affordable housing. She said it is needed at <br /> all levels, but the need is greatest at the lower income levels. <br /> Chair Price said there has been discussion in recent years on work force housing to <br /> differentiate between affordable and work force needs. <br />