Orange County NC Website
Key Findings: Less money, slight preference for homeowner projects. <br /> Projects have not been super specific on income targeting (meeting 80% <br /> requirement but not more specific than that). Recommending targeting <br /> more specifically and deeply. However, can only approve projects that are <br /> submitted. If developers aren't bringing projects to reach 30% AMI <br /> communities, we don't have anything to approve. <br /> Submitted report to Board of Commissioners. <br /> Meetings with Developer Partners <br /> - One of our AHAB members is an affordable housing builder <br /> - Invited agencies and nonprofits that develop housing in Orange County to <br /> understand challenges in building and applying for funding. <br /> - Challenges we heard: <br /> - Availability of land that is suitable for building is limited, land is more <br /> expensive. <br /> - Zoning - Hearing a lot of feedback to maintain rural character, limits ability <br /> to build more density and to build infill. Need to hear more support for <br /> these priorities to push back on so much opposition. <br /> - Question: Hard to hear from folks most impacted, people are <br /> busy. What is opposition to missing middle housing? <br /> - Missing middle would be something like duplex/triplex type <br /> housing. <br /> - Lots of push back for that particular development. <br /> - Some developers are doing smaller projects, with cost per unit being <br /> higher. Scale helps with cost (building more units). But trying to meet <br /> multiple needs. Example Pee Wee Homes, tiny homes for people <br /> transitioning from homelessness. Building a few units at a time. <br /> - Requested for more coordination between County and municipalities on <br /> coordination for where housing is going. Help figure out who is doing <br /> what, so there is less direct competition and more strategy. <br /> - Cost to develop and build. Keeps going up. Federal and state funding <br /> keeps going down. <br /> - Comment: Important to know who is holding office and know their <br /> priorities on housing. <br /> - Question: People with money are vocal about housing. Towns and Counties are <br /> listening. Can the Towns and County get together more? <br /> - We are bringing this feedback forward, both from developers and <br /> community residents. <br /> - Public Comment: Resident in downtown Chapel Hill near Camelot Village. <br /> Flooded. Getting more expensive, including property taxes and all expenses. <br /> Homeowners assistance helped last year, this is important. <br /> - Public Comment: Get on Planning Boards. Help to know what is coming. Voting <br /> is almost important. Don't vote just on affiliation. Lots of use of consultants. <br /> - Public Comment: Voting - they say they are going to do things but then they <br /> don't. What do we do about it? <br />