HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-01-2011 - 7aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 1, 2011
Action Agenda
Item No. ~J " Q
SUBJECT: Impact Fee Reimbursement Request
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tara L. Fikes, (919) 245-2490
PURPOSE: To consider an impact fee reimbursement request from Habitat for Humanity of
Orange County, NC, Inc. for $72,293 for ten (10) homes recently constructed in the County.
BACKGROUND: On November 1, 1995, the BOCC approved a policy for impact fee
reimbursement to local non-profit organizations that met the established eligibility criteria.
This policy was last revised on March 4, 1998.
The policy requires the following:
1. Housing must be developed for first-time homebuyers with incomes at or below 80%
of the US Housing & Urban Development (HUD) published median income for the
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA);
2. Affordable housing is defined as owner-occupied housing which can be purchased for
no more than 2.5 times annual family income; and
3. The non-profit organization must certify in writing that, for owner-occupied housing, it
will remain affordable to the anticipated beneficiary or beneficiaries for a period of a
minimum of ninety-nine (99) years. A Declaration of Restrictive Covenants will
secure this requirement.
4. The non-profit organization is responsible for providing documentation of impact fee
payment.
In past years during the County's budget formulation process, local non-profit organizations
developing affordable housing have provided estimates of the anticipated need for impact fee
reimbursements based on their construction plans. The County has then budgeted money in
the Affordable Housing Reserve for this purpose based on the availability of funds. Over the
years, requests for reimbursements have primarily come from the Community Home Trust and
Habitat for Humanity.
In late 2010, the County received a reimbursement request for $72,293 from Habitat for
Humanity of Orange County, Inc. for one (1) home recently built in Hillsborough and nine (9)
homes built in the Phoenix Place subdivision in Chapel Hill. The request has been reviewed
in accordance with the above stated eligibility criteria and determined eligible for
reimbursement. Specifically, Habitat has provided evidence that the impact fee for all homes
has been paid and the houses have been sold to low-income homebuyers.
Results of Eligibility Review
1. Income Eligibility
Family # Annual Income Family Size Percentage of
Median Income
1 $27,032 2 < 30%
2 $36,100 3 < 50%
3 $32,085 4 < 50%
4 $38,361 4 < 80%
5 $38,816 5 < 60%
6 $47,069 8 < 60%
7 $25,000 4 < 50%
8 $34,628 4 < 60%
9 $25,114 4 < 50%
10 $35,842 2 < 80%
2. All homes have the required recorded Declaration of Restrictive Covenants that
provide a 99 year long-term affordability provision.
3. Documentation of Impact Fee Payment Yes. Habitat has paid the fee at the time
of issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. Actual reimbursement will take place at
the time that the County's Impact Fee Agreement is executed by the Habitat for
Humanity of Orange County, NC and recorded in the Register of Deeds Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The current balance in the FY 2010 - 2011 budget is $75,419 and
expenditure of $72, 293 will leave a balance of $3,126.
It should be noted that should the Board wish to continue the Impact Fee Reimbursement
Program, there is a need for additional funding for this purpose in the next fiscal year budget.
For example, Habitat is currently constructing homes in the first phase of the Phoenix Place
subdivision, expects to complete a total of 50 new units there over the next couple of years
and may request reimbursement of the associated fees of $7,616 per house., Other non-profit
organizations with projects undennray may also have similar requests next fiscal year as well.
RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) Approve $72,293 for impact fee reimbursement to Habitat for Humanity of Orange
County, NC, Inc.;
2) IF ADDITIONAL REQUESTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OCCUR IN THE CURRENT
FISCAL YEAR, consider the need for a budget amendment to uphold the current
policy. The current estimate for proposed units creates a demand of between
$300,000 and $400,000; and
3) Consider review of the current policy and consider appropriate amendments in light of
current/future financial obligations. New revenues may be required to support the
program. If appropriate in use, the Board may want to consider allocating bond funds
held in support of affordable housing as a possible resource for this purpose.
Otherwise, a general fund appropriation would be required.