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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-21-2010 - 6aORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 21, 2010 Action Agenda Item No. (o - q SUBJECT: Orange Co. Community Development (CDBG) Program - NC Economic Recovery Program Application for $500,000 DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes Community Development ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Application Summary Tara L. Fikes, 919-245-2490 PURPOSE: To authorize the submission of an application to the N.C. Department of Commerce for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds from the NC CDBG Economic Recovery Program in the amount of $500,000. BACKGROUND: On June 12, 2009, Orange County submitted an application to the N.C. Department of Commerce -Division of Community Assistance for $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that the State of North Carolina received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The funds were to be used for housing rehabilitation, replacement housing, and emergency repair activities in the County. That application was not successful last year; however, this year the Department of Commerce has invited 36 communities (including Orange County) that were not funded last year to resubmit their applications for this year's round of funding. There is approximately $20,792,113 available statewide under the Economic Recovery Program for 2010. Therefore, the County proposes to resubmit the 2009 application for $500,000 in housing rehabilitation funds. It is estimated that these funds will serve approximately 20 low-income homeowners with repair needs. Prior to submission of an application, at least one public hearing is required to receive comments from the public regarding the grant application. A summary of the proposed grant application is attached to this abstract. The public hearing was advertised in the local news media as required by the County's Citizen Participation Plan. Comments received will be included in the grant application that is due September 30, 2010. FINANCIAL IMPACT: A successful application will provide an additional $500,000 in this community for housing repair activities. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board authorize the submission of an application for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program funds to the N.C. Department of Commerce from the NC Economic Recovery Program in the amount of $500,000 and authorize the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners to sign the application on behalf of the Board. 2 Application Summary FY2010 Orange County Economic Recovery Program Application Background Orange County has received an invitation from the NC Department of Commerce - Division of Community Assistance to re-apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the 2010 NC Economic Recovery Program. (An unsuccessful application was submitted in June 2009.) Program Policies Eligibility Criteria 1. The applicant must be the Owner of the residential property located in Orange County but outside the corporate limits of the Town of Chapel Hill. 2. The applicant must have total household income at or below 50% of the HUD published area median income. 3. The property must not have received assistance for housing rehabilitation during the previous 15 years. 4. The property must need repairs to meet the Minimum Housing Code. 5. The applicant shall have evidence of title to the property to be rehabilitated. 6. The applicant shall have paid all due property taxes. Participant/Household Selection Eight participants selected in 2009 will be resubmitted for reconsideration. No extensive program marketing is anticipated at this time. The Housing, Human Rights, and Community Development Department currently has a waiting list of approximately 25 homes in need of rehabilitation assistance. Terms of Assistance All CDBG financial assistance will be in the form of a deferred loan that is proportionally forgiven over the applicable term of recapture. CDBG Assistance Recapture Period $15,000 and less 5 years $15,000 and $25,000 10 years $25,000 and above 15 years All deferred loans will be secured with a note and deed of trust recorded in the Orange County Register of Deeds. Target Number of Substandard Units This program will target the repair of an estimated eight (8) substandard dwelling units at an average cost of $45,000 per unit. Clearance and relocation is proposed for one severely dilapidated dwelling unit that will be replaced from the footing. Budget Housing Rehabilitation $359,000 Urgent Repair $100,000 Clearance/Relocation $ 16,000 Program Administration $ 25,000