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19 <br /> PUBLIC COMMENTS: <br /> Sandra Clinton said she has lived in Hillsborough for the past 25 years and has been a <br /> homeowner at Crescent Magnolia Townhomes by Habitat for Humanity. She said she is grateful <br /> for her home and is thankful for Habitat for Humanity. She said she currently serves on the Habitat <br /> Advisory Committee and Homeowner Committee. She asked for funding for Habitat for Humanity. <br /> Joseph Schwenker with Community Housing Partners and representing the Trinity Court <br /> redevelopment. He said he could answer questions from the Board if they would like. <br /> Commissioner Richards said the project seems like it is underway, and the county portion <br /> is only 5% of the total. She asked how the county portion is helping move the project forward. <br /> Joseph Schwenker said they have everything except what they are requesting from the <br /> county. He said costs were much lower when the project was started, and this gap funding is <br /> needed to make the project work now. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked where they would get the money if not funded by the <br /> county. <br /> Joseph Schwenker said there are not a lot of other options left. He said they cannot cover <br /> a million-dollar shortfall. <br /> Chair Bedford said she was concerned about the disrepair of the property. She asked if <br /> there are policies in place to ensure the project does not fall into disrepair again in the future. <br /> Joseph Schwenker said yes. He said they are part of the rental demonstration program. <br /> He said they are subject to NCHFA inspections and approvals, and they have equity investors <br /> who buy tax credits, and they are invested for 15 years. He said there ae a lot of checks and <br /> balances now. He said the project was poorly constructed in the mid-70's but this is a way to <br /> remedy that and actually increase the number of affordable housing units. <br /> Vice-Chair Greene said the backstory is the federal government has decided to disinvest <br /> in public housing. She said that RAD is one of the latest devices that are really public-private <br /> partnerships. <br /> Anna Wu said she is the current board chair for the Orange County Habitat for Humanity. <br /> She thanked the Board for their investment in affordable housing. She also thanked Bonnie <br /> Hammersley and county housing staff for their hard work and leadership throughout this process. <br /> She said they see how home ownership is slipping further out of reach for so many. She said that <br /> many people who work here cannot afford to live here. She said the barriers are even higher for <br /> people of color and those that make lower wages. She said that the East Village community in <br /> Hillsborough is a key piece to assist homeownership in Hillsborough. She said that the project will <br /> essentially double affordable housing units in Hillsborough, including fully ADA accessible units. <br /> She said that the homes will be near public transit and even be walkable to the sportsplex. She <br /> said that this type of large-scale development opportunities outside of Chapel Hill have been rare <br /> due to the cost of infrastructure. She said that these projects and Habitat's $3.7 million request is <br /> a request to supply affordable housing in previously underserved areas. <br /> Delores Bailey, executive director of EmPOWERment, said that the Peach Apartments <br /> are beginning to be built. She said that they will have 10 fully funded multi-family units by the end <br /> of 2024. She thanked the Board for their previous support. She said the greatest need is for <br /> families earning at or below 30% AMI. She said EmPOWERment recognizes that NOAH is one <br /> of the best ways to meet this need. She said they have two projects and 18 families. She said <br /> that NOAH projects scored lower because they are not new projects, but that does not minimize <br /> the impact for the families who live there. She said when there is no affordable land, there can be <br /> no new projects. She said they asked for 3 projects, combination of these rental properties would <br /> help 18 families. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said she will be doing a debriefing with AHAB members and <br /> applicants. She said she will provide the information to the Board at a work session and hear their <br /> feedback to ensure the county is ready for the next RFP. She said they will draft the <br />