Agenda - 09-05-2023; 8-r - Approval of the Essential Single-Family Rehab 2023 (ESFR23) Assistance Policy and the Procurement and Disbursement Policy for the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA)

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ORANGE COUNTY 8 HOUSING DEPARTMENT What about Lead Based Paint? Until it was discovered to be a health hazard, lead was used for centuries to make house paints. Now we know that lead exposure is a serious problem for everyone and especially small children. Selling lead paint was outlawed in 1978, but many older buildings still contain lead paint and children are still being poisoned. Under ESFRLP, a lead hazard evaluation must be performed on every home selected for rehabilitation that was built before 1978.The specific type of evaluation and the appropriate lead hazard reduction work performed will depend on the total amount of Federal funds used to rehabilitate the home, as per 24 CFR Part 35. If required, lead-based paint hazard reduction and/or abatement will be performed by contractors who are trained and certified to perform such work. It may be necessary for the household to relocate during the construction process for protection against lead poisoning. If relocation is required, it shall be the responsibility of the homeowner to pay for the relocation. Who will do the work on the homes? Orange County is obligated under ESFRLP to ensure that quality work is done at reasonable prices and that all work is contracted through a fair, open and competitive process. To meet these requirements, Orange County will invite bids only from licensed general contractors who are part of an "Approved Contractors Registry". For additional information about procurement and disbursement procedures, please refer to the Orange County ESFRLP23 Procurement and Disbursement Policy. • All qualified members of the Contractors Registry will be invited to bid on each job, and the lowest responsive and responsible bidder will be selected for the contract. • All contractors working on pre-1978 units must be Renovate, Repair and Paint Rule (RR&P) Certified Renovators working for Certified Renovation firms. • Homeowners who know of quality rehabilitation contractors that are not on the approved contractors' registry are welcome to invite them to apply. What are the steps in the process, from application to completion? You now have information about how to apply for the Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation Loan Pool (ESFRLP) and what type of work can be done through the Program Let's go through the steps for getting the work done: 1. Completing a pre-application form: Homeowners who wish to apply for assistance may apply by contacting Alma Alegria at (919) 245-2655 or aalegria@orangecountync.gov. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning October 30, 2023 until all funds are committed. Proof of ownership and income will be required.Those who have applied for housing assistance from Orange County in the past will not automatically be reconsidered and must complete a new pre-application form. 2. Client referral and support services: Many homeowners seeking assistance through the Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation Loan Pool may also need other services. If the ESFRLP staff meets the homeowner during the application process,they will provide pamphlets and a list of the agencies with contact information for the resources and programs available in the County. For households that meet the requirements of the pre-application step and qualify to receive