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9 <br /> CITIZEN PARTICIPATION <br /> Summary of Comments and Community Development Requests <br /> The citizen comments and requests for funding received at the January 29, and March 26, <br /> 2002 public hearings held by the Chapel Hill Town Council are summarized below. We <br /> note that all agencies that requested funding were required to submit an application. <br /> Affordable Housing Requests <br /> Activities eligible for Community Development funding must meet one of three National <br /> Objectives: <br /> • Benefit low- and moderate-income persons; or <br /> • Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or <br /> Treat urgent needs posing an immediate threat to public health and welfare. <br /> Examples of eligible activities include acquisition and /or renovation of property, second <br /> mortgage assistance, and site development. <br /> The following agencies submitted applications for affordable housing activities. <br /> 1. Chapel Hill Department of Housing <br /> The Chapel Hill Department of Housing requested $198,000 of Community Development <br /> Program funds for the following purposes: $115,000 to renovate twenty-two apartments <br /> in the Airport Gardens public housing community; and $83,000 to continue the Five Year <br /> Refurbishing Program to refurbish about fifty apartments. <br /> Comment: We propose to budget$115,000 for renovation of Airport Gardens and $55,000 <br /> for refurbishing apartments. We recommend a reduction in the refurbishing budget <br /> because approximately $25,000 remains in the refurbishing budget for the current year. <br /> The Town's public housing is an important source of affordable rental housing and the <br /> Town's investment in this property should be maintained. The renovation of public housing <br /> units is an eligible Community Development activity. Based on past levels of spending <br /> activity, we believe $55,000 in new funds plus continued access to current funds will be <br /> sufficient for this activity in the 2002-2003 year. <br /> 2. Habitat for Humanity of Orange Cou* <br /> Habitat for Humanity requested $100,000 of Community Development funds-for <br /> development of up to twelve single-family homes and six rental units in three duplexes on <br /> land it owns on Rusch Road. The homes would be available to very low-income <br /> households earning 50% or less of median income. <br />