Minutes 05-19-2026-Business Meeting

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17 Commissioner McKee agreed with Chair Hamilton. He said the position seems designed to avoid long-term responsibility and expressed concern about what happens to residents five years from now if conditions change. Commissioner Bedford proposed that the county could have an MOU with Hope NC to ensure that there is prioritization for Orange County residents. She said she has good faith that Orange County residents would get some priority. Vice-Chair Fowler asked for clarification on why a fourth Orange County resident wasn't identified initially. Laura Wells shared again that the tenants were selected before approaching Alliance about funding. Ann Oshel offered a clarifying overview of Alliance Health's involvement. She said upon approval of the funding release,Alliance will issue a capital investment grant to Hope NC,outlining the terms of the tenant selection plan, requiring that all tenants have an IDD diagnosis and access to services.She said this would be Alliance's 17th capital investment in this type of model.She said the five-year period reflects the term of Alliance's monitoring responsibility fortheir grant,and that their standard capital investment grant language now requires grantees to follow the affordability requirements of other primary funders. She said if Hope NC defaults on another loan, Alliance reserves the right to require repayment. She said Alliance will continue to monitor compliance with tenant eligibility and fair housing practices throughout and expressed confidence that Hope NC would maintain the prioritization of Orange County residents and IDD-eligible individuals indefinitely. Commissioner Bedford asked who the property would revert to in the circumstance that Hope NC dissolves. Laura Wells said that Habitat has the right of first refusal. Chair Hamilton said she would like to see if Alliance Health would agree to include the 30-year affordability and eligibility period in the agreement. Caitlin Fenhagen supported Ann Oshel's explanation. She said because it is Alliance's grant and they have certain monitoring responsibilities,they are only interested in a five-year period.She reiterated that the affordability is preserved through other mechanisms. Chair Hamilton clarified that her current concern is not about the affordability period, but the prioritization period for Orange County residents in the event of an opening. Caitlin Fenhagen cautioned that Alliance Health may not be interested in monitoring for 30 years, but said she could see if they were willing. Commissioner Carter said she is supportive of the concept, but feels it is important to be able to show Orange County residents that the program has a path for 50% residency for them and for a future Board to not be confronted with that question down the road.She supported adding language to the MOU to ensure that will happen. Caitlin Fenhagen said the language in the MOU ensures that for five years, but some Commissions want to extend the 50% residency priority and affordability restriction to the full 30-year period in the MOA.She offered to go back to Alliance Health's attorney to attempt that revision,and suggested that the County Manager be authorized to sign once a resolution is reached. Commissioner Bedford restated the option of a secondary direct MOU between the county and Hope NC, without funding attached, committing Hope NC to maintain the Orange County preference. Caitlin Fenhagen said that is a possibility. Commissioner McKee said he doesn't want to hold up the process because they are closing this month on the properties, but said he thinks it is important to get some assurances in place. Commissioner Bedford said she is willing to vote for the item as currently written.She said she has good faith that Hope NC will continue to prioritize Orange County residents, but the word "strive" in the MOA does not represent a guarantee in any event, and given the desperate need for IDD housing, she