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