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Funding is distributed pretty evenly across new construction, homebuyer <br /> assistance, property acquisition, housing rehabilitation <br /> Funding that comes from HOME is not consistent every year. County and <br /> Towns cover approximately 25% of costs for these projects that HOME <br /> does not cover. <br /> HOME funding has gone down significantly since 2012. $400,000 on a <br /> good year doesn't go very far. <br /> - When projects receive HOME or Bond money, there are deed restrictions <br /> to keep affordable for a certain amount of time (federal 30 years, local 99 <br /> years). <br /> Have historically funded more projects for homeownership than for rental. <br /> - By location, some difficulty in tracking where money is actually landing. <br /> - Question: Are there challenges related to bringing in affordable <br /> housing after new, expensive development going in? <br /> - The voices of homeowners, sometimes in opposition, are <br /> loud. We need to be loud as well for affordable housing <br /> - Question: How are the locations of projects decided? <br /> - The applicants are bringing forward a place. For example, <br /> we have seen a lot of applications in the south part of the <br /> County, trying to prioritize other parts of the county. <br /> Balancing need to build in rural areas with requirements to <br /> be near amenities. <br /> - Public Comment: Challenges with lots of people moving in, people <br /> with higher incomes. <br /> - Public Comment: Heard every locality was supposed to spend <br /> 13% on housing but didn't always use the money and it would be <br /> returned. (This is money controlled by the Towns). Involves <br /> inclusionary zoning requirements. This is payment in lieu fees that <br /> were paid. Many developers would make payment in lieu instead <br /> of building the inclusionary units. <br /> - Town Council doesn't have ability to disapprove <br /> development over affordable housing concerns (General <br /> Assembly laws), but also under pressure to approve any <br /> housing to add supply. <br /> - Flat property tax rate laws also restrict opportunities for <br /> progressive tax structures. <br /> - Public Comment: Rules for citing affordable housing that require <br /> proximity to amenities, can't bring in amenities after the fact. Need <br /> to pre-exist prior to building. <br /> - County trying to at least coordinate housing and <br /> transportation planning and being more strategic. <br /> - Can add and move bus stops. Can't create new routes <br /> (funding issues). <br />