Agenda - 11-07-2024; 8-a - Minutes

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46 1 Commissioner Hamilton said she attended all three community workshops and said she 2 appreciated the way they were conducted. She said this is a compromise with getting enough 3 affordable housing and transportation and they have done a good job. 4 5 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Greene, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to 6 approve the resolution in Attachment 1. 7 8 Commissioner Richards asked if they feel they have achieved the goals on slide 6. 9 Cy Stober said this conceptual land use plan was approved by all three owners and was 10 guiding assumptions through engagement and master plan. 11 Commissioner Fowler asked if there is a percentage for affordable or if they are waiting to 12 see what is affordable for jurisdictions. 13 Chair Bedford said when the MMC met with the Planning Staff, they accelerated that there 14 should be a fiscal analysis. She said that one might be they do not move forward with anything. 15 Commissioner Fowler said that she wants to make sure that if affordable housing is not 16 achievable that they do not feel they have to continue due to costs already spent. 17 Vice-Chair Greene said it is important to have a realistic goal. 18 Chair Bedford said county has $5 million set aside to help assist with this goal. 19 20 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 21 22 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said in speaking about different populations she hopes 23 affordable housing is not being limited to those groups. 24 25 b. Child Care Subsidy Assistance Update 26 The Board received an update on the current fund availability for childcare subsidy and to 27 considered options for service delivery for the remainder of the fiscal year. 28 BACKGROUND: Orange County's Department of Social Services (DSS) provides child care 29 subsidy and social casework services for families, including information and referral services to 30 help parents determine appropriate child care placements. The objectives of this program are to: 31 Provide subsidies for high quality child care for low-income working families, children 32 involved in child welfare cases, and other at-risk children in Orange County. 33 Assure that eligible employed parents wait less than six months to receive child care 34 subsidy. 35 Utilize all available federal and state funds to support child care needs of local children. 36 37 In FY 2024-2025, Social Services will receive $6,700,396 in Federal and State funds, including 38 $600,000 in Smart Start funds and $1,275,559 in County funds, for a total of$7,975,955 budgeted 39 for child care subsidies. Through these funding sources, Orange County is currently serving 40 approximately 637 children each month, including paying the parent portion of the fee for 41 attendance. 42 43 The average monthly cost per child for subsidy has increased significantly over time. In 2019, the 44 DSS share averaged around $700 per month, and the current average is $1,100 per month. 45 Several factors have impacted these costs, including a market rate increase in 2022 and changes 46 in eligibility and parent fees for afterschool care. The previous averages had more afterschool 47 children (who have lower costs) and now a larger portion of the children are 0-5 year olds with full 48 time care. The rates vary based on age of the child and the star rating of the child care program. 49 For example, the current market rate for 3-5-year-old children in a four-star program is $1,308 50 per month.