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27 <br /> 1 Slide #5 <br /> For any questions: <br /> •Blake Rosser <br /> •brosser@orangecountync.gov <br /> •919-245-2492 <br /> n ORANGtCOUNTY <br /> O HOUSING DEPARTMENT <br /> 2 <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Commissioner Carter asked about the information on the age of applicants. She said a <br /> 5 fair number did not have age data and asked why that was. <br /> 6 Blake Rosser said it could mean there was an issue with the survey, or that staff didn't <br /> 7 include the age when inputting paper applications. <br /> 8 Vice-Chair Fowler asked if some applicants were also receiving assistance through <br /> 9 programs in the Tax Office. <br /> 10 Blake Rosser said he doesn't have that data, but the Tax Office should. <br /> 11 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what the average increase was for tax bills. Blake <br /> 12 Rosser said he will include that information in a follow-up communication to the Board. <br /> 13 Chair Hamilton asked what qualifications must be met to receive assistance through this <br /> 14 program. <br /> 15 Blake Rosser said he will also follow up with that information, as he doesn't have it on <br /> 16 hand. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 PUBLIC COMMENTS <br /> 19 Larry Reid advocated for reconsidering eligibility criteria for co-living situations, citing <br /> 20 examples of sisters and families living together whose combined incomes disqualify them despite <br /> 21 individual financial constraints. <br /> 22 Elizabeth Young, representing the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition, <br /> 23 described a friend whose property valuation increased from $350,000 to $1 million and presented <br /> 24 several policy recommendations, including increasing program funding to $1 million annually, <br /> 25 making property assessments more equitable, improving appeals access, and dedicating $1.5 <br /> 26 million for deeply affordable homeownership. <br /> 27 <br /> 28 Following public comments, Commissioner Carter appreciated staffs suggestion to <br /> 29 consider lengthening the home ownership timeframe beyond the current five years, potentially <br /> 30 providing larger benefits to longer-term residents. She asked for information to avoid unintended <br /> 31 consequences of favoring high-value properties. <br /> 32 Commissioner Greene said she has also been concerned with the length of <br /> 33 homeownership. She noted that the current program already weights awards based on length of <br /> 34 ownership. <br />