Agenda - 02-04-2003-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 Barriers to Affordable Housing The Consolidated Plan for Orange County identifies the following barriers to affordable housing: High cost of public improvements. In most of southern Orange County, there is virtually no vacant land available that is served by public utilities. In unincorporated Orange County, although land accessible to urban services is available, the cost of extensions is expensive. Also, many existing residences lack adequate plumbing facilities due to the high cost of public utility connections. Lack of adequate transportation. While the public transportation system in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro urban area is comprehensive, access to jobs and facilities outside the urban area are limited by a lack of transportation. Many of the people who work in Orange County live in neighboring counties, partly by choice and partly as a result of an inability to find affordable housing in the County. High cost of rental housing. The rental housing market, particularly in Southern Orange County continues to be inflated by the university students. High cost of homeownership. The average new detached home in Orange County sold for nearly $247,661 in 1999. That is approximately $100,000 more than what a family of four at 100 percent of median income could afford. Fair Housing Analysis of Impediments/Action Plan Impediments: The Sale or Rental of Housing Public Policies Administrative Policies Residential Segregation Fair Housing Education Based on the analysis, the following recommendations are offered to promote fair housing within the jurisdiction. ? Providing one-on-one consultation to landlords to encourage participation in the Section 8 Housing Assistance Program. ? Working with the university to promote development of adequate campus housing in order to free-up local rental units and make them more affordable.