Minutes 11-15-2022 Business Meeting

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28 Commissioner Hamilton asked who contributed to the total amount that has been spent to date. Corey Root said the numbers are muddy because the county pays upfront and is reimbursed from the other jurisdictions. Commissioner Hamilton said it seems that Chapel Hill doesn't want to put up any additional money, but asked if these avenues through which they are already contributing will continue. Corey Root said what she hears is that Town staff thinks it is a great program, but they are wanting to focus money on affordable housing development. Bonnie Hammersley said this was the third year that the county has put in $4 million. She said the vast majority of the $13.7 million is county money. Commissioner Hamilton said she is leaning towards Option 3 because she is concerned about sustainability of the program. Commissioner Fowler asked if the county was using an ARPA money for this. Bonnie Hammersley said a total of $12 million of ARPA money has gone to the program over 3 years. Commissioner Fowler said that leads her to option 3 for sustainability reasons. Commissioner McKee said regardless of what they do, they are looking at a 2-4 cent permanent tax increase. He said it's disappointing to look at the fact that half of funding went to Chapel Hill residents and there is no urgency on the part of the Town board to step up and provide funding. He said option 2 is his preference but that he could also go with option 3. He said that he cannot see a way for option 1 to go forward. He said that option 2 will result in a 2 or 3 cent tax increase because they cannot back away from this. Commissioner Bedford said that she will propose that they do back away from it. Commissioner Richards asked if option 3 includes 30% AMI. Commissioner Greene said no. Commissioner Richards asked if that is the main difference between options 2 and 3. Chair Price asked if the towns and county staff are discussing how the development of affordable housing can interact with this program. Corey Root said there are weekly meetings between the staff. A motion was made by Commissioner Greene to proceed with option #2 for the Emergency Housing Assistance program in 2022-23. Commissioner Greene said she cannot vote for a program that cuts off the 30% and below right now. She said that it is reasonable to talk about this again during budget season. She said the stability point is critical for her, but if people with 30% AMI are left out it will exacerbate the homelessness issue. She said the Board can afford to do option 2 even if Chapel Hill is not stepping up. Commissioner McKee seconded Commissioner Greene's motion. Commissioner Hamilton asked what the 30% AMI inclusion means. She asked if they are under 30% and they are not having eviction, what would they be applying for. Corey Root said it is usually utility or rental arrears. She said option 2 is one month of rent going forward and now it is three months. Chair Price noted that people can reapply. Corey Root said that option 3 only includes people that are in eviction proceedings or experiencing homelessness. Chair Price said the program could be gradually tightened up but changing this to one month from three month will signal that people might need to find additional sources of assistance.