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5 <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is <br /> applicable to this item: <br /> • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY <br /> The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding <br /> necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for <br /> themselves and their dependents. <br /> 9. At the recommendation of the Chair of the Orange County Board of County <br /> Commissioners, the Food Council and Cooperative Extension have been exploring options <br /> for a pilot program to expand markets for Orange County growers and increase access to <br /> local foods for regional buyers. The Orange County Food Council in partnership with <br /> Cooperative Extension recommends an 18-month pilot program with Freshspire, a <br /> technology company based in Raleigh with a record of supporting connections between <br /> local growers and buyers. The program funding will subsidize 6-8 Orange County growers <br /> and 1-3 regional buyers participation on the Freshspire online wholesale marketplace and <br /> provide frequent and customizable data reports. Funding of $25,000 for this program will <br /> utilize reserves within the county portion of the Article 46 Fund. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is <br /> applicable to this item: <br /> • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY <br /> The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding <br /> necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for <br /> themselves and their dependents. <br /> Housing Department <br /> 10.At the June 15, 2021 Business meeting, the Board authorized an initial ARPA allocation of <br /> $325,000 to fund the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) program. These funds were <br /> authorized in the Community Development Fund. Subsequently, the County received <br /> guidance that all ARPA funds must be separated to a separate fund, which the Board <br /> authorized at the December 15, 2021 Business meeting. This amendment removes the <br /> budget authority in the Community Development Fund of $325,000 to comply with that <br /> guidance. <br /> 11.The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness has received notification from the <br /> North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services of an award from the <br /> Emergency Solutions Grant — Covid Round 2 program. The Partnership will receive <br /> $104,878 to be spent through September 30, 2022. These funds will be used to support <br /> rapid rehousing initiatives. These funds will be appropriated in the Community <br /> Development Fund, outside of the General Fund. <br /> 12.Due to the department providing additional Housing Choice Vouchers, the Housing Choice <br /> Voucher Fund is expected to significantly exceed budget. Funding for vouchers is provided <br /> as pass-through funding by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). <br /> This amendment authorizes $1,000,000 in additional voucher funding offset by anticipated <br /> HUD revenue. <br /> 13.In July 2021, the County sold $2,500,000 in General Obligation Bonds (GO Bonds) for <br /> approved affordable housing projects from the 2016 referendum. In the sale, the County <br /> received $202,579 in additional GO Bond premiums. These premiums are restricted to <br />