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January 20, 2026 (rescheduled from January 13, 2026) <br /> AHAB Roster <br /> AHAB Members Present in Person (2): Lynn Nilssen, Todd Orr <br /> AHAB Members Present Online (9): Holly Meschko, Monica Palmeira, Anna Jefferson, Mary <br /> Towell, Mariela Hernandez, Andrew Semmes, Thomas Grastly, Matthew Ferguson, Alicia Reid <br /> AHAB Members Absent (2): MZ K Johnson, Sarah Adams <br /> Staff Present (3): Aaron Cohen, Blake Rosser, Willie Hilliard <br /> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br /> (1) Staff Updates: <br /> (2) AHAB Updates: <br /> o Elections coming up March 3rd <br /> o Public Schools Strong Candidate Forum upcoming Monday <br /> o Elections also for BCC <br /> o NC Budget and Tax Event - This Thursday in Durham <br /> ■ Discussing wages and affordability <br /> (3) 2026 Work Plan <br /> 0 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Plan was submitted to BCC last week. Can <br /> still make adjustments before presentation. <br /> o Present to BCC 2nd week of February? Staff will confirm. <br /> o BCC interested in hearing about gaps in affordable housing in the county. <br /> ■ Some whole consulting firms specialize in this. <br /> ■ AHAB members looking into past analyses, etc. <br /> o For presentation - Hit home general notes in presentation about less funding <br /> being a challenge. <br /> o How to support Dept <br /> ■ Staff Clarify: AHAB is meant to advise BCC, not necessary <br /> support/backstop the Dept. <br /> (4) Next Steps <br /> o February Meeting Agenda - Plan the April Community Meeting <br /> ■ Will be in Hillsborough. Changes to agenda. <br /> ■ 6pm still seemed like a good start time, good turn out <br /> ■ Consider hybrid meeting (promote accessibility) <br /> o Meeting with Departments - Later in the year <br /> o Additional challenges related to Affordable Housing Management locally <br /> ■ Local agency lack of responsiveness to complaints from tenants. <br /> Discrimination issues at buildings. <br /> ■ Follow up directly with housing staff <br /> Meeting adjourned 7:01 pm <br />