HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-07-2013 - 5eORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 7, 2013
Action Agenda
Item No. 5 -e
SUBJECT: Consolidated Housina Plan Annual Action Plan /HOME Proaram
DEPARTMENT: Housing /Human Rights and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Resolutions Tara L. Fikes, 245 -2490
FY 2013 -2014 Annual Action Plan (under
separate cover)
PURPOSE: To:
1) Adopt a Resolution approving the FY 2013 -2014 Consolidated Housing Plan Annual
Action Plan;
2) Adopt a Resolution approving the proposed HOME Program Activities for 2013-
2014; and
3) Authorize the Manager to implement the HOME Program as approved by the BOCC
including the ability to execute agreements with partnering non - profit organizations
after consultation with the County Attorney.
BACKGROUND:
Consolidated Housing Plan Annual Action Plan
In 2010, a Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange
County was developed and approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). This document details the housing needs of very low income, low income
and moderate - income families and special population groups in addition to outlining the
strategies and plans for addressing those needs. The Consolidated Plan is required for all
communities receiving HOME funds (Orange County HOME Consortium) and CDBG
entitlement funds (Town of Chapel Hill).
Each year, local communities are required to submit an Annual Action Plan to the Consolidated
Plan to the State HUD Office by May 15th. This Update includes the 2013 -2014 Community
Development Plan for the Town of Chapel Hill and the 2013 -2014 HOME Program Action Plan
or the Orange County HOME Consortium. Public hearings were held by the Chapel Hill Town
Council on February 27 and April 10 and by the BOCC on February 5, 2013 to receive public
comments regarding the Update prior to development and subsequent submission to HUD.
Public comments received at the hearings are summarized in the Annual Action Plan.
A public comment period as required by HUD was established for April 8 — May 10, 2013 by
notice in The Chapel Hill Herald. Copies of the Annual Action Plan were made available at the
Orange County Housing, Human Rights and Community Development Main Office.
2013 -2014 HOME Program Activities
The current Orange County HOME Consortium Agreement establishes a HOME Program
Review Committee to provide general oversight of the program. Participants in the HOME
Consortium are Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. The
Committee is authorized to provide policy oversight for planning, operations, and evaluation of
OHC and the HOME Program. The Manager or his /her designee from each participating unit of
local government and one (1) elected official from each jurisdiction shall be a member. For
Orange County, Commissioner Earl McKee serves on this Committee.
Every year, the HOME Program Review Committee prepares a proposed HOME program
design each year and consortium program application to HUD, in compliance with the Act, the
Regulations, and the Federal Program Requirements, including reallocation of any funds from
previous years not expended or any repayments or other program income consistent with this
Section. The proposed HOME program design defines a strategy in sufficient detail to
accommodate the collective and individual needs and priorities of the County and Towns. Each
year's proposed HOME program design and the consortium program application should be
consistent with the Consolidated Plan and is subject to the approval of each consortium
member's elected board.
This year, as required by the Consortium Agreement, the HOME Program Review Committee
reviewed applications for HOME Program funding and developed the proposed HOME Program
Design for the 2013 -2014 Program Year. A total of six (6) applications were received from local
non - profit organizations requesting approximately $615,000. There is approximately $653,441
in HOME funds, HOME program income and HOME Program match funds available for Fiscal
Year 2013 - 2014. The recommended program design is detailed in the attached resolution.
In accordance with the Orange County HOME Consortium Agreement approved in May 2011,
the HOME Program Design for each year must be approved by all jurisdictions prior to
submission to HUD. The Program Design is scheduled for approval by Carrboro on May 7t", by
Hillsborough on May 13th and has already been approved by the Town of Chapel Hill. The
Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is therefore asked to consider approval of the
attached HOME Program Resolution.
HOME Program Implementation
After approval of the 2013 -2014 HOME Program design by all consortium participants,
authorization is also requested to allow the Orange County Manager to execute agreements
with partnering non - profit organizations as necessary to implement the approved HOME
Program design. All agreements will receive review and approval from the County Attorney's
office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Orange County HOME Consortium is scheduled to receive
approximately $364,311 in FY 2013 HOME Program funding - a reduction of approximately five
percent (5 %) from the FY 2012 funding level. The required total local government match is
$81,970. Orange County's share of the match is $31,968 which will be allocated from County's
general fund. There is also $29,001 in HOME program income and $178,159 in prior year
funds available to commit to projects so there is a total of $653,441 available for programming
next fiscal year.
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RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a Resolution approving the FY 2013 -2014
Consolidated Housing Plan Action Plan;
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a Resolution approving the proposed HOME
Program Activities for 2013 -2014; and
3) Authorize the Manager to implement the HOME Program as approved by the BOCC
including the ability to execute agreements with partnering non - profit organizations after
consultation with the County Attorney.
M
RES- 2013 -037 Attachment 1
RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF
FY 2013 - 2014 Annual Action Plan for the
FY 2010 -2015 CONSOLIDATED HOUSING PLAN
FOR ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, that the
Commissioners authorize the County Manager to submit the Orange County Consolidated Plan for
Housing and Community Development Programs Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, including all understandings, assurances, and certifications
required therein.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Manager is hereby designated as the authorized
representative of the County to act in connection with the submission of the Annual Action Plan and
to provide such additional information as may be required by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development.
This the 7th day of May 2013.
RES- 2013 -038
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
THE ORANGE COUNTY FY 2013 - 2014 HOME PROGRAM DESIGN
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Orange County Board of Commissioners as a member of the
Orange County HOME Consortium approves the following activities for the 2013 - 2014 HOME
Program.
Homeownership Assistance
Funds would be allocated to the Community Home Trust to assist first time homebuyers earning
less than 80 percent of the area median income to purchase homes county -wide. Funds would
be provided as a grant to Community Home Trust.
(Requested amount: $60, 000) $ 60,000
Funds will be allocated to Orange County Habitat for Humanity to provide deferred payment
zero interest second mortgages for ten (10) homes throughout Orange County. Homes will be
sold to households earning between 30 percent and 65 percent of the area median income.
(Requested amount: $300,000) $300,000
Operational Support
Funds would be allocated to the Community Home Trust as a Community Housing Development
Organization for administrative expenses.
(Requested amount: $20, 000) $20,000
Predevelopment and Acquisition
Funds would be provided to EmPOWERment, Inc. for acquisition and rehab of one condo unit in
Collins Crossings in Carrboro for lease to households earning less than 50% of area median
income.
(Requested amount: $45,000) $45,000
Funds would be provided to EmPOWERment, Inc. for the acquisition of a duplex unit in Chapel
Hill for lease to households earning less than 50% of area median income.
(Requested amount: $140,000)
Tenant Based Rental Assistance
$140,000
Funds would be provided to Housing for New Hope Inter- Church Council to support homeless
outreach and increased housing support that assist the homeless of Orange County acquire
permanent housing.
(Requested amount: $50, 000) $52,010
Program Administration
$36,431
TOTAL FY 2012 -2013 HOME PROGRAM FUNDS $653,441
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Manager is hereby designated as the authorized
representative of the County to act in connection with the submission of this plan and to provide
such additional information as may be required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development
This the 71' day of May 2013.
Barry Jacobs, Chair
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Orange County
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111,751,
HOME Consortium
FY 2013 - 2014
Annual Action Plan
May 15, 2013
DRAFT
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan
Narrative Responses
Executive Summary
Program Year 4 Action Plan Executive Summary:
In an effort to streamline several programs, the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development now requires all jurisdictions that receive federal Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, federal HOME Program funds, Emergency
Shelter Grants (ESG) and grants for Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS
(HOPWA) to submit a Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development
Programs.
The Town of Chapel Hill receives federal Community Development Block Grant
funding each year and the Orange County HOME Consortium receives HOME funding
each year. Since the Town of Chapel Hill is a member of the Orange County HOME
Consortium, the County is permitted to submit one plan that details the housing
needs and activities of the entire County including Chapel Hill.
The Consolidated Plan not only serves as an application for each of the programs,
but also seeks to further the statutory goals of these programs through a
collaborative process whereby a community establishes a unified vision of housing
and community development actions to address identified housing needs.
Prior to beginning to develop the 2013 -2014 Annual Action Plan, public forums were
held to receive citizen feedback regarding the housing and community development
needs and proposed activities that should be included in the Plan. Public Forums
were held by the Chapel Hill Town Council on February 27 and April 10, 2013 to
receive citizen comments regarding housing needs and the proposed use of
$463,191 in CDBG funds in Chapel Hill and $383,485 in HOME funds that the Orange
County HOME Consortium expects to receive for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 -2014. The
Orange County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on February 5,
2013 regarding housing needs and the proposed use of the $383,485 in HOME funds.
Comments from these public hearings are included in this Summary.
Summary of Comments Received
A copy of the approved minutes from the February 5, 2013 public hearing for Orange
County has been included below.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 2
)Excerpt from the February 5, 2013 BOCC Approved Minutes
6. Public Hearings
a. Orange County Consolidated Housing Plan Update
The Board received comments from the public regarding the housing and non -
housing needs to be included in the Annual Update of the 2010 -2015 Consolidated
Housing Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County
and proposed uses of 2013 -2014 HOME funds.
Housing and Community Development Director, Tara Fikes said their last plan
was completed in May of 2010 and they did identify three goals in Orange County. One
of those goals was to provide decent and affordable housing for lower income
households through the following efforts: 1) Assisting low income home owners living in
sub - standard housing, 2) providing rental units for low income residents, 3) assisting
people who lack indoor plumbing, 4) helping low income renters become home owners,
and 5) help extremely low income renters find affordable housing.
She said that the second goal was to assist the homeless in finding housing as
well as services to maintain housing, and the third goal was to assist in provision
housing and services for the special needs population. She asked for any additional
comments regarding needs in the community.
Tara Fikes said that the second purpose of this meeting was to hear comments
about the proposed usage of the HOME investment partnership dollars. She said this
program allows activities such as property acquisition, new construction, housing
rehabilitation and rental assistance. She said they are unsure about final fund
allocations for this year, but they are proceeding with the plan under the assumption that
they will receive at least the same funds as last year, which equaled $383,485. She said
there has also been program investment and some projects that no longer require
funding, leaving another $180,000 available as well.
Chair Jacobs said affordable housing was a topic of conversation at the Board
retreat last week and there will be a joint dinner meeting with Affordable Housing
Advisory Board on March 12.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if there was there anything in this plan
substantively different from last year's plan and he asked for clarification of how much of
last years' money was allocated to the low income rental units.
Tara Fikes said that the plan is the same as it was last year and it is a five year
plan that remains in place until 2015. With regard to the rental units, she said, $50,000
was provided for rental assistance in support of the homeless outreach program. She
said they also allocated $37,000 for housing rehabilitation funding for complexes in
Chapel Hill (Elliot Woods and Chase Park), and $90,000 to EMPOWERMENT for
purchase of rental apartments to rent to low income people.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the latest copy of the CDBG, showing
impediments to fair housing, could be provided, and Tara Fikes said yes.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Susan Levy, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, gave a brief overview of
2012. She said there were twelve creative partnerships formed to build twelve new
homes this past year. She said that eleven of those homes were in the Phoenix Place
subdivision in Historic Rogers Road and one of those homes was in the Fairview
Community. She noted that families who purchase from Habitat are local people who
Y 2013 -2014 action Plan 3
work and provide services within the community. She said that most of the families
served, lived in overcrowded apartments, paid over 30% of their income for rent, and
had high utility cost and lack of repair service. She noted that once the people move into
Habitat homes, mortgage cost is often less than prior rental costs and utility cost is
lower, which leaves more income to be spent in the local economy and to meet basic
needs.
Susan Levy said that low and very low income households were also served
through a new exterior repair program called Brush of Kindness, and she stressed the
pressing need for these types of repair projects and the goal of increasing this service.
She said Habitat had nearly 2000 volunteers, who logged more than 1700 volunteer
hours. She noted that Habitat home owners paid a total of $304,455 in property taxes.
She said that HOME funds have been a critical factor in building efforts. She said that
225 homes have been built. Four homes are currently under construction and the
demand for homes by qualified families has consistently exceeded demand. She noted
that there are only seven lots left in Phoenix Place and Habitat will soon be moving on to
a 28 home subdivision in Efland Cheeks Township. She recognized several home
owners present who will be moving into Habitat Homes in the near future. She
concluded by saying that Habitat will be requesting 2013 home funds for second
mortgages for 15 new homes.
Deborah Burton said she is building her home here in Hillsborough in partnership
with Habitat for Humanity and Orange County Schools. She thanked the Board for
making this possible and asked them to continue funding this year to make this possible
for other families.
Robert Dowling, Executive Director of Community Home Trust (CHT), said CHT
implements inclusionary housing in Orange County and currently has 200 homes in its
inventory. He said the expectation is to sell an additional 25 homes in the next 6
months; many of these homes will require public subsidies totaling more than $300,000,
which is available from HOME funds and other sources. He said there is a lot of
turnover with townhomes and condominiums, not single family homes. When these
properties turn over, subsidies are lost. He noted that median income has become flat
but the costs of the homes increase, which increases the need for subsidies. He said
they will be coming to the Board of County Commissioners to ask for HOME funds in the
amount of $60,000. He noted that $40,000 will be used to keep homes affordable and
$20,000 will be for operating support. He said they could never have done this with the
support of local governments. He said that this is the most difficult housing market he
has seen.
Commissioner Dorosin said he is appreciative of all the work that has been done
and he echoed the comments from the retreat. He said this plan should likely be re-
visited sooner than 2015 in light of changes mentioned. He said this is an opportune
time to be thinking more creatively. He said he has been haunted by the recent purchase
of Abbey Court, which has 252 units and sold for $7 million. He said these were the
most affordable units in Orange County and now it looks as if the rent is going to be
raised along with assessments. He said there is a need to talk about different ways of
doing things, including manufactured housing and he would value advice from the
professionals and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
Chair Jacobs noted that 1.3, page 32 talks about people not having indoor
plumbing. He questioned how much this count has been reduced and Tara Fikes said
she would get him that information.
Chair Jacobs said the Board heard on Friday that the Community Home Trust
was recruiting people from Durham County to move into unoccupied Orange County
housing.
Y 2013 -2014 action Plan 4
Robert Dowling said he is not aware of this. He said he wrote a memo to the
Board of County Commissioners asking for relief from some of the requirements if a
home has not sold after a certain number of days. He said there are so many properties
on the market and it is difficult to sell them, which puts a burden on CHT and makes the
homeowners unhappy and frustrated. He said the memo requests relief from hurdles to
allow interested buyers, who don't live or work here, to purchase the homes.
Chair Jacobs clarified that theoretically people outside of the county will be
purchasing the homes if the Board waives those hurdles and Robert Dowling said yes,
after 90 days.
Commissioner McKee asked if there was any thought to transfer these homes to
rental properties, considering the number of homes on the market
Robert Dowling said there are several hurdles and CHT needs to stay focused on
home ownership not rentals. He said another issue is that special use permits that are
approved by local governments refer to home ownership, not rentals. He said if HOME
funds are involved then Orange County does have a say in some of the hurdles.
Commissioner McKee said they may have to start thinking out of the box.
Commissioner Rich said the same letter came to the Town Council several
months ago and it stated there are certain steps before Durham residents are looked at,
thus giving Orange County residents preference. She said that it may be time to view
that memo again.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the CHT receives any discount on the HOA dues
of condos in the high end markets.
Robert Dowling said this is by project. He said that for East 54 there is no
discount but there is a transfer fee whereby private sector owners pay a 1 % fee that is
used to supplement dues. He said that Greenbridge also has transfer fees and at 140
West there is no transfer fee but there is an agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill. He
said that it basically varies by project but that special assessments don't get built in and
dues can rise, making transfer fees inadequate.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the subsidies mentioned are upfront or if they are
additional with homeowner dues.
Robert Dowling said that subsidies are put in at the initial sale, but because
median income has declined and everything else goes up, creating the need to re-
subsidize when it is transferred.
Chair Jacobs said he gave Tara Fikes some suggested topics from the retreat to
share with the joint meeting on March 12.
Tara Fikes said their advisory board is reviewing the letter now.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rich seconded by Commissioner McKee
to close the public hearing.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
FY 2013 — 2014 HOME Program Activities and Proiects
Homeownership Assistance
Y 2013 -2014 action Plan 5
Funds would be allocated to the Community Home Trust to assist first time
homebuyers earning less than 80 percent of the area median income to purchase
homes county -wide. Funds would be provided as a grant to Community Home
Trust.
(Requested amount: $60,000) $60,000
Funds will be allocated to Orange County Habitat for Humanity to provide deferred
payment zero interest second mortgages for fifteen (15) homes throughout Orange
County. Homes will be sold to households earning between 30 percent and 65
percent of the area median income.
(Requested amount: $300,000) $300,000
Operational Sunaort
Funds would be allocated to the Community Home Trust as a Community Housing
Development Organization for administrative expenses.
(Requested amount: $20,000) $20,000
Tenant -Based Rental Assistance
Funds would be allocated to Housing for New Hope to support a tenant -based rental
assistance program to support individuals that were formerly homeless transition to
permanent housing.
(Requested amount: $50,000) $52,010
Program Administration $36,431
TOTAL FY 2013 -2014 HOME PROGRAM FUNDS $653,441
TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 6
The citizen comments received at the Town of Chapel Hill's public forums held on
February 27 and March 18, 2013, and applications received for funding are
summarized below. All agencies that requested funding were required to submit an
application.
In order for the agencies' activities to be eligible for Community Development Block
Grant funding, the activities must meet one of three National Objectives:
Benefit low- and moderate - income persons; or
Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or
Treat urgent needs posing an immediate threat to public health and
welfare.
SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC FORUMS
Comments from the February 27 and March 18, 2013, Chapel Hill Town
Council Public Forum
1. Terry Allebaugh, the Executive Director of Housing for New Hope, requested
the Council's continued support requesting support for its services, specifically
$12,000 in CDBG funds to continue support for their housing specialist and
$50,000 in HOME funds for rental support.
Staff Comment: The approved Community Development Plan includes $6,500 to
support Housing for New Hope's outreach efforts.
2. Aubrey Vinson, a representative of the Chapel Hill - Carrboro Y, requested
continued support for its after school program that serves children living in
the Town's South Estes Drive public housing community. Without the
Community Development program funds, the Y might not be able to continue
this program.
Staff Comment: The approved Community Development Plan includes $6,500 for
the Y's after school program.
3. Jess Brandes, Projects Coordinator for CASA, requested funds to support the
program's affordable rental housing program and their Supportive Housing
Program which pairs tenants who are homeless or at risk of being homeless
with a safe, quality, affordable apartment. The Supportive Housing Program
currently serves 23 households in Chapel Hill and aims to keep these tenants
permanently housed.
Staff Comment: The recommended Community Development Plan includes
$9,000 for the CASA's Supportive Housing Program.
4. At the forums on February 27 and March 18, Anita Badrock and Robert
Dowling, representing the Community Home Trust, requested funds to
support the organization's homeownership assistance program to reduce the
sales price of homes for households earning less than 80% of the area
median income. Mrs. Badrock also noted that Community Home Trust is
requesting the same amount of funds as they have since 2008, and that this
year they will be forced to finance homes from their reserve accounts. She
stated that these practices are not sustainable for the long -term, and the
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 7
Community Home Trust staff is looking forward to the upcoming Work Session
with the Council to discuss these issues in more detail.
Staff Comment: The approved Plans include allocating $20,941 of Community
Development funds and $80,000 of HOME Program funds. We also recommend
allocating $20,000 from the Town of Chapel Hill's Affordable Housing Fund to the
organization to fulfill its request.
5. Rob Reda, representing Habitat for Humanity, which provides housing for low -
income individuals in the community, requested $300,000 in HOME funds to
support the building of 15 homes, 8 of which will be in Chapel Hill. He also
requested that affordable housing be a high -level priority in the Town's
budget for the coming year.
6. Laura Moore, representing Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, requested
funds for construction expenses for its Phoenix Place development located in
the Rogers Road community. Habitat for Humanity plans to build the
remaining seven houses in the Phoenix Place neighborhood with these funds.
7. Riri Way, a resident of Phoenix Place, spoke in support of Habitat for
Humanity's request. She expressed her support for the allocation of HOME
funds to Habitat for Humanity.
S. Jennifer Prater, a resident of Phoenix Place, related her story of acquiring
home ownership through a Habitat home. She encouraged the Town to
support affordable housing as a priority in the budget.
9. Barbara Redman, a resident of Phoenix Place, also spoke in support of funding
for Habitat for Humanity and encouraged the Town to add affordable housing
as a line -item in the budget.
Staff Comment: The approved HOME Program plan includes $300,000 for
Habitat for Humanity's second mortgage program for homebuyers in Rusch
Hollow, Phoenix Place, Fairview, and Tinnin Woods communities.
10. Delores Bailey, Executive Director of EmPOWERment, Inc., requested CDBG
funds for its Career Explorers program. EmPOWERment, Inc. is also
requesting HOME funding for purchasing affordable housing units and
increasing their inventory of affordable units at all levels.
Staff Comment: The approved Plans include allocating $3,000 of Community
Development funds for EmPOWERment's Career Explorers Program and $178,159
of HOME Program funds for property acquisition and renovations.
11. Hudson Vaughn, representing the Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Making
and Saving History, said that his organization has met or is on track to meet
the goals and measurements prioritized by the Town. The Jackson Center
requested $35,000 to continue support for their services. They are not asking
for more than their allotted CDBG funds, but a way for the Town to use
Affordable Housing Funds to meet the rest of the $35,000 for their initiatives.
Staff Comment: The approved Community Development Plan includes allocating
$11,000 for the Marian Cheek Jackson Center's "Mobilizing Community
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 8
Leadership and Broad -Based Partnerships for Fair Housing in Chapel Hill"
program. We also recommend allocating $24,000 from the Town of Chapel Hill's
Affordable Housing Fund to the organization to fulfill its request.
12. Theresa Merritt - Watson, Executive Director of the Young People Institute,
requested $30,000 for their Applied Skill Training program, which trains at-
risk high school students and provides them with outsourced work from
business leaders in the community.
Staff Comment:. The approved plan does not include funding for this project. Due
to limited funds for public service activities funding was allocated to agencies with
a strong track record.
SUMMARY
The Town of Chapel Hill expects to receive $390,152 of entitlement grant funding
from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); this
represents the expected 5% decrease in allocation from FY2012 -2013. We also
propose to budget $28,541 of program income received from the repayment of
affordable housing related loans and $44,498 of reallocated funds from completed
activities. Therefore, we present a recommended budget of $463,191.
Recommended Plan
The Chapel Hill Town Council approved the following activities for the 2013 -2014
Community Development program:
1. Town of Chanel Hill - Renovation of Public Housing: $165,000
The Council budgeted $165,000 to perform comprehensive renovations at 12 of
the 30 apartments at the Oakwood public housing neighborhood. Renovation
work on the apartments at the Oakwood neighborhood would include
replacement of tubs; lavatories, sinks, shower pan and head; abatement of
asbestos; installation of ceramic tile floors in baths; replacement of existing
outlets with GFI outlets; upgrade of electrical services; replacement of water and
sewer lines; installation of new washer and dryer hook -ups; replacement of wall
and base cabinets and countertops to include new range hoods and sinks;
installation of new furnaces including air conditioning and water heaters; and
replacement of interior and exterior doors; and site improvements.
2. Community Home Trust - Homebuver Assistance: $20,941
The Council allocated $20,941 to the Community Home Trust for its Homebuyer
Assistance Program to assist low- income buyers to purchase Community Home
Trust homes in Chapel Hill. The majority of funds will be used at the 140 West
development. The Council also reserved $20,000 from the Affordable Housing
Fund to fulfill this request.
3. Town of Chanel Hill - Code Enforcement: $S6,S00
The Council approved use Community Development funds to support grant
compliance and the increased enforcement efforts in the Northside and Pine
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Knolls neighborhoods and other neighborhoods around the University. Funds
would be used to pay a portion of the salaries of a code enforcement officer and
administrative clerk, a senior planner position, and the Planning Department's
Office Manager to assist with grant compliance. We note that additional staff
resources for enforcement are a priority identified by the Northside and Pine
Knolls Community Plan.
4. Public Service Activities - $64,900
The use of funds for public services that benefits households earning less than
80% of the area median income is eligible under federal Community
Development regulations. Examples of public service activities include programs
focusing on employment, crime prevention, child care, health, drug abuse,
education, fair housing counseling, energy conservation, homebuyer down
payment assistance or recreational needs. The amount of Community
Development funds used for public services is based on 15% of the Town's
Community Development grant and program income received in fiscal year 2012-
2013. We estimate this amount to be $64,900 for 2013 -2014.
We recommend that the Council allocate funds for eight community service
programs. The information provided below includes the amount of funds each
agency requested, its 2012 -2013 allocation, and the preliminary staff
recommendation.
Specifically, funds would be allocated for eight community service programs:
• Chapel Hill Police Department Youth Employment Program: $22,900
The Youth Employment Program provides job skills training, employment
experience, and economic opportunities to Chapel Hill youth aged 14 -18
whose families earn less than 80% of the area median income, with the
majority being from households earning less than 30% of the area median
income. Many of the participants serve as interns in Town departments. Last
summer, there were thirty participants in the program, and this year, the
Police Department proposes enrolling the same number.
The Council has allocated Community Development funds to the Police
Department to support this program since 1994. Based on our monitoring of
the program, it has continued to be a highly successful program and has
successful met its goals by providing valuable work experience for the
participants.
Housing for New Hope: $6,500
The Homeless Outreach and Housing Support Program assists those
experiencing homelessness and the chronically homeless to improve their
lives through obtaining and maintaining permanent housing and supportive
services. Funding would be used to pay a portion of the salary for a Homeless
Outreach worker.
The Council has allocated Community Development funds to Housing for New
Hope since 2008 to support its homeless outreach efforts. As of March 2013,
Housing for New Hope has used the Town's 2012 -2013 allocation to provide
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 10
assistance to over 76 people and enrolled eighteen unsheltered, homeless
people in services and housing assistance.
This program would serve households earning less than 30% of the area
median income.
• EmPOWERment, Inc: $3,000
The Career Explorers Program provides summer employment for youth ages
16 -21 from low- to moderate - income households. The program is designed to
provide youth an opportunity to discover valuable life and career skills that
will better prepare them for future employment, financial management and
assist in their social and emotional development. Program participants work
36 hours per week with local businesses.
In addition to the $3,000 included in the preliminary Plan, EmPOWERment
also intends to use $3,000 from the 2012 -2013 allocation to support this
program. The Town has provided funding to the Career Explorers program in
the past, most recently in 2010 -2011.
This program would serve households earning less than 80% of the area
median income.
• Chapel Hill Carrboro YMCA After School Outreach Program: $6,500
The After School Outreach Program operates at the Chapel Hill / Carrboro
YMCA, serving children living in the Pine Knolls neighborhood and the South
Estes Drive and Airport Gardens public housing communities. Funds would be
used to serve twelve eligible children.
Since 1994, the Town has provided Community Development funds to the
YMCA for an afterschool program. The Outreach program has successfully
merged with the YMCA's existing afterschool program held at the YMCA
facility. In the current year, thirteen children are being served by the
program. The YMCA continues to operate a program the meets the goals and
objectives established by their Performance Agreement.
This program would serve households earning less than 30% of the area
median income.
• Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project After School Enrichment Program:
$3,000
Orange County Family Resource Centers /Chapel Hill Training and Outreach
requested $5,000 for continued support of the South Estes Afterschool
Program. This program provides provide a safe and supervised environment
for children from the South Estes public housing community, the largest
public housing community in Chapel Hill.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 11
We believe that the provision of quality afterschool services and youth
programs is an important activity and supports the Town's efforts in providing
services to public housing residents. The Town has supported the program
since 2003, and it continues to meet its goals by providing quality after school
care and academic support for the children enrolled in the program.
This program would serve households earning less than 30% of the area
median income.
Volunteers for Youth, Inc.: $3,000
Volunteers for Youth is requesting funds to continue support of its "Every Girl
Counts" program. The goal of this program is to serve twelve middle - schools
girls from low- to moderate - income families by improving school
performances and teaching valuable life skills to its members. The program
will include weekly life -skill workshops and visits to college campuses.
The Council has funded this program since 2011. There are currently fifteen
middle - school girls enrolled in the program, and the program continues to
meets the goals and objectives established by its Performance Agreement.
This program would serve households earning less than 80% of the area
median income.
• Community Alternatives for Supportive Abodes (CASA): $9,000
Community Alternatives for Support Abodes (CASA) is requesting funding for
its Supportive Housing Program which pairs tenants who are homeless or at
risk of being homeless with a safe, quality, and affordable apartment. In
addition, the Program provides comprehensive and supportive property
management services. In Chapel Hill, CASA assists 23 special needs
households to live independently in their own apartments for the long term.
CASA has not requested funding for a public services program in the past, but
the Town has supported their work with housing /construction funding from
the Community Development funds, most recently in 2010 -2011.
This program would serve households earning less than 30% of the area
median income.
Marian Cheek Jackson Center: $11,000
The Marian Cheek Jackson Center is requesting funds for the "Mobilizing
Community Leadership and Broad -Based Partnerships for Fair Housing in
Chapel Hill." This program would support the work of the Northside and Pine
Knolls Community Plan and implement the Community Plan's action steps
related to the six identified community themes. In addition, the program
would advance community -led housing initiatives which support proactive
neighborhood engagement as identified in the Chapel Hill 2020
comprehensive plan.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 12
We are also recommending that the Council allocate $24,000 from the
Affordable Housing Fund to support the Marian Cheek Jackson Center's
program per comments made at the Public Forum. Last year, the Council
provided $20,000 to the Marian Cheek Jackson Center from the Affordable
Housing Fund for administrative support of its programs.
Funds would be used to support activities that serve households earning less
than 80% of the HUD - published area median income.
S. Program Administration: $78,030
Funds will be used for administration expenses for the Housing and Neighborhood
Services division of the Planning Department. Funds would be used for oversight
of the Community Development program and related affordable housing
programs, as well as coordination with the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development and agencies that receive funding to maintain compliance
with federal regulations.
Specifically, funds will be used for a portion of the salaries of the Housing and
Neighborhood Services Manager and the Housing and Neighborhood Services
Planner positions.
Annual Strategic Plan
As a growing community, the Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill must
successfully balance a diverse array of housing and community development issues.
Given the range of competing needs, the community must invest its scarce public
resources wisely. Therefore, as a general principle, the Town will attempt to expend
public funds in a way that leverages the commitment of private sector support
whenever possible.
The following presentation utilizes this performance- centered approach to outline the
County and Town's approach to housing and community development in the
upcoming year. This approach includes identifying goals, objectives and strategies;
determining what resources are necessary to achieve these goals; analyzing and
evaluating performance data; and using that data to drive improvements in
organization. All objectives and performance indicators are based on a one year time
frame.
Goal 1 — Provide Decent and Affordable Housing for Lower - Income
Households
This goal includes retaining existing affordable housing stock, increasing the
availability of affordable permanent housing in standard condition without
discrimination, providing affordable rental housing and providing affordable housing
that is accessible to job opportunities.
Priority Needs
1.1 Low income (< 80% AMI) homeowners that live in substandard housing
1.2 Rental units for low income ( <60% AMI) residents
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 13
1.3 Low income ( <80% AMI) homeowners that do not have indoor plumbing or
adequate connections to existing public water and sewer systems
1.4 Low income (60 -80% AMI) renters that are potential homebuyers
1.5 Very low income ( <60% AMI) homeownership
1.6 Eliminate barriers to affordable housing
1.7 Extremely Low income ( <30% AMI) renters looking for affordable rental
housing
Goal 2 — Provide Housing and Services for Homeless Populations
This goal includes assisting homeless persons to obtain services and housing, and
assisting persons at risk of becoming homeless.
Priority Needs
2.1 Service - enriched transitional housing for homeless persons
2.2 Reduce Chronic Homelessness
2.3 Increase Employment
2.4 Prevent Homelessness
2.5 Increase Access to Services
2.6 Increase Public Participation in Ending Homelessness
Goal 3 — Provide Housing and Services for Special Needs Populations
This goal includes assisting persons with special needs in obtaining supportive
housing and in accessing a continuum of services specific to their unique needs.
Priority Needs
3.1 Service - enriched housing for persons with special needs
3.2 Continuum of services for special populations including older adults, disabled,
mentally ill, persons with AIDS and at -risk youth
Goal 4 — Increase Capacity and Scope of Public Services.
This priority of the Consolidated Plan is to increase the capacity and scope of public
services for low and moderate income families and individuals. The needs of
residents with limited incomes for a unique variety of public services can be acute.
Consolidated Plan funding will be used to leverage other resources to provide needed
services.
Priority Need
4.1 Increase capacity and expand the scope of Public Services in order to reach out
to more low -to- moderate income residents.
The following table shows the proposed sources and uses of funding available to
Orange County for FY 2013 -2014 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development. More detailed descriptions are provided in the Annual Plan portion of
this document.
Fiscal Year 2013 -2014 Funding
I Sources of Funds I Amount I
HOME Program
2013 Grant
$364,311
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 14
*F
Matching Funds (cash match)*
81,970
Program Income
29,001
Prior Year Funding
178,159
Community Development Block Grant
2013 Grant
$390,152
Reallocated Funds - Completed Activities
$44,498
Program Income
$28,541
Total
$1,116,632
Uses of Funds
Amount
HOME Program
Property Acquisition - EmPOWERment, Inc.
$185,000
Homeownership Assistance - CHT
$60,000
Homeownership Assistance - Habitat for Humanity
$300,000
Operations Support -CHT
$20,000
Tenant Based Rental Assistance - Housing for New
$52,010
Hope
Administration
$36,431
Community Development Block Grant
Public Housing Renovation - Town of Chapel Hill
$165,000
Homeownership Assistance -CHT
$20,941
Public Service Activities
$64,900
Code Enforcement - Town of Chapel Hill
$56,500
Program Administration
$78,030
Total
$1,116,632
IOME Proaram matchino funds requirements will be met with cash.
General Questions
1. Describe the geographic areas of the jurisdiction (including areas of low income
families and /or racial /minority concentration) in which assistance will be directed
during the next year. Where appropriate, the jurisdiction should estimate the
percentage of funds the jurisdiction plans to dedicate to target areas.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
Rolling hills, forests, and farmland converge with cosmopolitan urban cities and small
rural towns in Orange County. This unique mix of landforms brings to the County an
abundance of historical, social, and cultural resources. Additionally, Orange County
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 15
anchors the western corner of the Research Triangle, a regional economic engine
home to some of the world's leading technological companies as well as major
federal research institutions. Orange County encompasses four Cities to include:
Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Mebane.
The county is also divided into seven townships, though these political divisions no
longer carry legal standing: Cedar Grove, Little River, Cheeks, Hillsborough, Eno,
Bingham, and Chapel Hill.
Demographics
As of the 2010 Census count, Orange County had a total population of 133,801. The
County's racial makeup consisted of 74% White, 15.928% Black or African American,
0% American Indian and /or Native Alaskan, 7% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 4% from
other races, and 3% from two or more races; 8.2 were Hispanic or Latino of any
race. This demographic data, along with data broken out for each of Orange County's
four municipalities, is depicted in Table 1, below. According to the 2010 Census
count for Orange County as a whole, there were 50,085 households out of which
20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 44.6% were married
couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present,
and 43% were non - families. The average household size was 2.36 and the average
family size was 2.95.
Orange County
Demographic
Highlights
Z
0
__
0)
U
__
2
2
FU
O
U
U
2
Total population
133,8017
57,233
19,582
6,087
7,284
Male
56,038
21,961
8,164
2,523
1 3,480
Female
62,189
26,754
8,618
2,923
3,804
One race
116,204
47,813
16,376
5,326
7,184
White
92,272
1 37,973
12,195
3,282
5,638
Black or African American
16,298
5,565
2,273
1,897
1,273
American Indian and
Alaska Native
457
203
61
28
17
4,845
3,497
864
31
45
Asian
Native Hawaiian and
Other Pacific Islander
20
12
1
0
1
Other race
2,312
563
982
88
210
Two or more races
2,023
902
406
120
100
Hispanic or Latino
5,273
1,564
2,062
152
382
Orange County Demographic Highlights: [source: census 2010, Summary File 1]
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 16
As researched in the 2006 - 2008 American Community Survey estimates, there
were 49,369 households [an increase of 7.64% over the 2000 Census count], of
which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them. Out of the total
49,369 households, 46.5% were married couples living together. The 2006 - 2008
Census estimates also revealed 10.4% of families had a female head of household
with no husband present. Orange County also had 39.8% non - family households.
The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.88.
The 2006 - 2008 Census estimates put the total population of Orange County at
124,168. The racial makeup of the County was 76.21% White, 12.99% Black /African
American, 0.37% American Indian and /or Alaskan Native, 5.66% Asian, and 2.86%
some other race; the American Community Survey did not estimate the size of the
Hispanic or Latino populations. Historical trends in Orange County's racial makeup
between 1990 and 2008 are depicted in the tables below.
Demographic Profile Highlights: 2006 -2008 Estimates
[Source: 2006 -2008 American Community Survey 3 -year estimates]
* 2006 -2008 Estimates were not available for Carrboro, Hillsborough,
and Mebane.
** No 2006 -2008 estimated data was available for the number of
Hispanic or Latino individuals in Orange County.
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 17
Demographic
.
2006-2008
o
U
—
�
Q
c-
0
U
Total population
124,168
54,972
One race
121,799
53,993
White
94,631
41,886
Black or African
American
16,130
5,773
American Indian and
Alaska Native
461
80
Asian
7,023
5,328
Native Hawaiian and
Other Pacific Islander
29
13
Other race
3,525
913
Two or more races
2,369
979
Hispanic or Latino **
--
--
Demographic Profile Highlights: 2006 -2008 Estimates
[Source: 2006 -2008 American Community Survey 3 -year estimates]
* 2006 -2008 Estimates were not available for Carrboro, Hillsborough,
and Mebane.
** No 2006 -2008 estimated data was available for the number of
Hispanic or Latino individuals in Orange County.
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 17
Orange
County Historical
Demographic
Trends
C
U
N
N
Q
C6 CU
C
C6
C6
C
C6
.0
� CU
C6 .
C
U
Q
C Z
U C
CU U
U
(6
J
Y
Y
C
L
L
C6
00
Q Q
Q
Z O
O
2
1990 75,871
14,893
286
2,325
36
440
5,273
2000 92,272
16,298
457
4,845
20
2,312
3,480
2006 -2008* 94,631
16,130
461
7,023
29
3,525
--
Orange County Demographic Trends: [Sources: Census 1990 Summary Tape File 1, Census
2000 Summary File 1, and 2006 -2008 American Community Survey 3 -year estimates]
Note: No 2006 -2008 estimated data was available for the number of Hispanic or Latino individuals in
Orange County.
* Denotes Estimate
Urdnye ',,UUnry.
• * Denotes Estimate
Based on this historical data, between 1990 and 2008, Orange County has seen a
24.7% increase in the White population, an 8.3% increase in the Black or African
American population, a 302% increase in the Asian population, and a 34.0%
decrease in the Hispanic or Latino population.
The historical shift in Orange County's racial makeup is depicted in Figure 1 [below].
Over the 18 -year period researched, Orange County has become more racially
diverse. Whites have consistently made up the majority of the population while the
Black or African American population has fluctuated. The most dramatic increase in
the population of any one race is displayed by Asians, who grew from 2,325 in 1990
to 7,023 in 2006 -2008, an increase of over 300 %. Growth in the populations of other
races (namely White, Black /African American, and American Indian /Alaskan Native)
appears to have largely stabilized after a period of more rapid growth between 1990
and 2000. A variety of economic and other influences may have driven these
historical population trends and shifts; however, the Orange County Housing &
Community Development Department should be aware of these shifts, and continue
to monitor demographic data to determine if any racially- motivated "steering"
practices are contributing factors.
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 18
Orange County Population: 1990 -2008 [Sources: Census 1990 Summary Tape File 1, Census 2000 Summary File
1, and 2006 -2008 American Community Survey 3 -year estimates]
* Denotes Estimate
** Data on the number of Hispanic or Latino individuals in Orange County was not available for 2006 -2008
Using Census 2000 data (the most complete dataset currently available), Orange
County had a total minority population of 28,571 compared with an overall
population of 118,227, giving the County a minority population of 24 %. For the
purposes of this calculation, all racial or ethnic groups not categorized as "Non-
Hispanic White" are considered minority groups. Using data compilations from the
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council [FFIEC], which are based upon
Census 2000 data, demographic research was also conducted within Orange County
at the census tract level. This detailed level of analysis is necessary in order to
determine the existence of racial or ethnic segregation patterns and the degree to
which these minority populations are concentrated throughout the County. As
depicted in the accompanying table [Table 3], the concentrations of minority
populations within Orange County ranges widely.
For each of the County's 22 Census tracts (as defined for the 2000 Census), the
following table displays the tract's total population along with the actual number of
persons belonging to the various racial and ethnic groups. Each tract's minority
population is also shown as a percentage of the tract's total population. Minority
populations range as high as 47.1% in Tract 107.03 to 12.2% in Tract 108.02.
Similarly wide ranges exist within specific racial and ethnic groups. Whereas 2,235
Black or African Americans were counted in Tract 111.01, only 133 were counted in
Tract 114. A perhaps even more striking tendency to concentrate is found among
Asians, whose population ranged from a total of just 7 in Tract 108.01 to 703 in
Tract 112.03.
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 19
Orange County Population: 1990 -2008
140,000
■ Hispanic /Latino **
120,000
❑ Other race
100,000
},
80,000
■ Native Hawaiian/
Other Pacific Islander
0
60,000
❑ Asian
CL
40,000
❑ American Indian/
20,000
Alaskan Native
■ Black /African American
0
1990 2000 2006 -2008* ❑ White
Year
Orange County Population: 1990 -2008 [Sources: Census 1990 Summary Tape File 1, Census 2000 Summary File
1, and 2006 -2008 American Community Survey 3 -year estimates]
* Denotes Estimate
** Data on the number of Hispanic or Latino individuals in Orange County was not available for 2006 -2008
Using Census 2000 data (the most complete dataset currently available), Orange
County had a total minority population of 28,571 compared with an overall
population of 118,227, giving the County a minority population of 24 %. For the
purposes of this calculation, all racial or ethnic groups not categorized as "Non-
Hispanic White" are considered minority groups. Using data compilations from the
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council [FFIEC], which are based upon
Census 2000 data, demographic research was also conducted within Orange County
at the census tract level. This detailed level of analysis is necessary in order to
determine the existence of racial or ethnic segregation patterns and the degree to
which these minority populations are concentrated throughout the County. As
depicted in the accompanying table [Table 3], the concentrations of minority
populations within Orange County ranges widely.
For each of the County's 22 Census tracts (as defined for the 2000 Census), the
following table displays the tract's total population along with the actual number of
persons belonging to the various racial and ethnic groups. Each tract's minority
population is also shown as a percentage of the tract's total population. Minority
populations range as high as 47.1% in Tract 107.03 to 12.2% in Tract 108.02.
Similarly wide ranges exist within specific racial and ethnic groups. Whereas 2,235
Black or African Americans were counted in Tract 111.01, only 133 were counted in
Tract 114. A perhaps even more striking tendency to concentrate is found among
Asians, whose population ranged from a total of just 7 in Tract 108.01 to 703 in
Tract 112.03.
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 19
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 20
Racial
po
Orange County
Census
Tract
p o
N
N
= = V
O O M
M
O a0+
C
O
` O C
= C
O C
C � C O
N � O
M
a
.O .a ma
a • E v a
C O
V V
• 2
E E
V Q
d Q
Y M O
Q V O Q
0 d
"
= s O O O
O
O
+O
M O O 0
00
zU- za
a
¢a
as m T0- o�
107.01
Carrboro
1938
31.73
538
708
1323
615
3
33
496
62
21
107.02
Carrboro
8510
32.35
1980
3372
5757
2753
16
354
1293
909
181
107.03
Carrboro
5170
47.12
841
2611
2734
2436
9
286
1004
1022
115
107.04
Carrboro
4614
16.88
923
2208
3835
779
11
240
286
166
76
108.01
Cedar Grove
4567
33.04
1311
1748
3058
1509
29
7
1244
178
51
108.02
Little River
4148
12.22
1308
1603
3641
507
12
12
386
57
40
109
Eno
8207
15.57
2358
3241
6929
1278
31
71
886
191
99
110
Hillsborough
5987
24.79
1610
2360
4503
1484
13
19
1178
190
84
111.01
Cheeks
6373
40.92
1838
2443
3765
2608
31
15
2235
252
75
111.02
Cheeks
4798
19.78
1358
1896
3849
949
16
41
553
247
92
112.01
Chapel Hill
7579
25.28
1886
2988
5663
1916
16
703
722
344
131
112.02
Carrboro
5043
18.5
1371
1893
4110
933
13
82
604
159
75
112.03
Bingham
5076
15.21
1400
2055
4304
772
21
17
541
136
57
113
Chapel Hill
2400
45.96
362
1 1127
1297
1103
7
46
917
1 93
40
114
Chapel Hill
3717
13.69
550
1561
3208
509
18
233
133
69
56
115
Chapel Hill
2023
20.37
447
1024
1611
412
14
1 55
222
91
30
116
Chapel Hill
9295
26.21
252
1773
6859
2436
50
1 743
1313
175
155
117
Chapel Hill
4852
18.4
394
1265
3959
893
23
318
417
49
86
118
Chapel Hill
2692
17.01
560
1144
2234
458
3
120
209
89
37
119
Chapel Hill
8419
20.05
2139
3546
6731
1688
22
576
635
315
140
121
Chapel Hill
6291 21.41 1437
6528 18.17 1554
2705
4944
1347
24
463
506
235
119
122
Chapel Hill
2645
5342
1186
6
426
1 395
244
115
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 20
Racial Composition by Orange County Census Tract
[Source: FFIEC 2009 Population Report]
By converting raw numbers into percentages, a more useful set of statistics emerges
wherein the various Census tracts can be more directly compared with one another.
The following table [Table 4] depicts the same data contained in Table 3 as
percentages. Among all tracts, the average minority tract population is 24.3 %.
Accordingly, tracts with minority population percentages greater than 30% are
considered to be unusually high and have been highlighted in yellow. Blue
highlighting has been used to designate populations within specific racial or ethnic
groups that are considerable higher than average.
a
o
U L
Percentage Racial
o
m M '=
C
CL CL L_
i 0
a) a) o
Composition
n o
C
° a
z °
By Orange County Census
_ _
o = o a
M
= C
L v
a
° N a
tea° =a Na
31.7% 0.2% 1.7%
=
�C o
°
ma
Tract
o
C ►o C
+ L ►o �C +
M N v
M
° ° L o
o
xa aa
107.01
Carrboro
1938
68.3%
18.4%
3.2%
1.1%
107.02
Carrboro
8510
67.6%
32.4%
0.2%
0.2%
4.2%
5.5%
15.2%
19.4%
0.7% 2.1%
19.8% 2.2%
107.03
Carrboro
5170
52.9%
47.1 °/
107.04
Carrboro
4614
83.1%
16.9%
0.2%
5.2%
6.2%
3.6%
1.6%
108.01
Cedar
Grove
4567
67.0%
33.0
0.2%
3.9%
1.1%
108.02
Little River
4148
87.8%
12.2%
0.3%
0.3%
9.3%
1.4%
1.0%
109
Eno
8207
84.4%
15.6%
0.4%
0.9%
10.8%
2.3%
1.2%
110
Hillsborough
5987
75.2%
24.8%
0.2%
0.3%
19.7%
3.2%
1.4%
111.01
Cheeks
6373
59.1%
40.9-AM
0.5%
1 0.2%
4.0%
1 1.2%
111.02
Cheeks
4798
80.2%
19.8%
0.3%
0.9%
11.5%
5.1%
1.9%
112.01
Chapel HIII
7579
74.7%
25.3%
0.2%
9.5%
4.5%
1.7%
112.02
Carrboro
5043
81.5%
18.5%
0.3%
1.6%
12.0%
3.2%
1.5%
112.03
Bingham
5076
84.8%
15.2%
0.4%
0.3%
10.7%
2.7%
1.1%
113
Chapel HIII
2400
54.0%
46.0%
0.3%
1.9%
M
3.9%
1.7%
114
Chapel HIII
3717
86.3%
13.7%
0.5%
3.6%
1.9%
1.5%
115
Chapel HIII
2023
83.1%
21.3%
2.8%
8.0°/
6.
11.5%
4.7%
1.5%
116
Chapel HIII
9295
73.8%
26.2%
0.5%
14.1 %
1.9%
1.7%
117
Chapel
8.6%
1.0%
1.8%
118
Chapel HIII
2692
83.0%
17.0%
0.1%
4.5%
7.8%
3.3%
1.4%
119
Chapel HIII
8419
80.0%
20.0%
0.3%
7.5%
3.7%
1.7%
121
Chapel HIII
6291
78.6%
21.4%
0.4%
8.0%
3.7%
1.9%
122
Chapel Hill
6528
81.8%
18.2%
0.1%
6.1%
3.7%
1.8%
Average 5374 75.9% 24.3% 0.3% 3.7% 14.4% 4.3% 1.5%
Percentage Racial Composition by Orange County Census Tract
[Source: 2009 FFIEC Census Report]
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 21
HIII
4852
81.6%
18.4%
0.5%
Percentage Racial Composition by Orange County Census Tract
[Source: 2009 FFIEC Census Report]
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 21
Note that a high population of a specific minority group does not necessarily indicate
a high minority tract population overall. For example, all those tracts with high
Black /African American populations are also high minority tracts but, of those tracts
where Asians concentrate in unusually high percentages, none are high in overall
minority populations.
Based on this Racial Composition by Census Tract data, the Census tracts with the
highest minority concentrations are Tracts 107.01, 107.02, 107.03, 108.01, 111.01,
and 113. In most cases, these high minority tracts have unusually high
concentrations of only one specific minority group. While tracts 107.02 and 107.03
have very high Hispanic concentrations, the concentration of other minority groups in
those tracts are generally no more than average. Similarly, tracts 107.01, 108.01,
111.01, and 113 contain very high Black concentrations but other minority groups
concentrate in those tracts generally no more than average (except in Tract 108.01,
which has both a high Black and a high American Indian population). This indicates a
tendency of minority groups to concentrate in certain areas of the County, but not in
areas where members of any other racial or ethnic group are also concentrated.
2. Describe the basis for allocating investments geographically within the
jurisdiction (or within the EMSA for HOPWA) (91.215(a) (1)) during the next year
and the rationale for assigning the priorities.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
As a growing community, Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Hillsborough
and Carrboro must successfully balance a diverse array of housing and community
development issues. Given the range of competing needs, the community must
invest its scarce public resources wisely. Therefore, as a general principle, the
County will attempt to expend public funds in a way that leverages the commitment
of private sector support whenever possible. Through the public participation and
consultation process, the County has identified the community's overall goals and
priorities as follows:
• Provide decent and affordable housing for low to moderate income
households, including providing affordable rental for <30% AMI residents
Provide housing and services for homeless populations with special needs
Increase the capacity and scope of Public Services
3. Describe actions that will take place during the next year to address obstacles to
meeting underserved needs.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The following are obstacles to meeting underserved needs in Orange County along
with the Consortium's actions that are intended to minimize the impact of these
obstacles:
The current economic and housing crisis has decreased tax revenues for the
County and Towns. Recognizing the heightened scarcity of available public
funds, the Consortium will seek opportunities for leveraging private funds and
will fund those projects of greatest strategic importance to the Consortium.
Y 2013 ®2014 Action Plan 22
As mixed use /mixed income communities continue to add amenities to new
home construction, home costs continue to rise in Orange County despite the
current housing market slowdown. It is increasingly difficult to fund projects
that meet low and moderate income criteria. Orange County will continue to
work with local groups, and municipalities, to determine the areas that qualify
for funding by researching and evaluating alternative areas.
As the population of Orange County continues to grow, the lack of affordable
land has become a major barrier to the development of Affordable Housing,
especially when taking into account that the Town of Chapel Hill and the
County will not develop infrastructure beyond the Urban Services Boundary.
By waiving building permit fees and providing zoning incentives, the members
of the Consortium plan to minimize the obstacles to affordable housing
development.
There are a limited number of developers and builders who are capable of
building Affordable Housing. The profit potential for middle and upscale
housing draws most builders to that range of development, leaving few
contractors willing to work in the Affordable Housing arena. Also, the high
cost of land, costly permitting fees and the length of time to get housing
projects approved is prohibitive to the development of Affordable Housing.
This obstacle will be mitigated through the waived permit fees and zoning
incentives already discussed.
4. Identify the federal, state, and local resources expected to be made available to
address the needs identified in the plan. Federal resources should include
Section 8 funds made available to the jurisdiction, Low - Income Housing Tax
Credits, and competitive McKinney -Vento Homeless Assistance Act funds
expected to be available to address priority needs and specific objectives
identified in the strategic plan.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
By drawing upon financial resources available to the Consortium through HUD and by
instituting or strengthening partnerships with County departments, municipalities,
and nonprofit organizations, the Consortium will have sufficient resources available
to accomplish the Plan goals.
The following table provides a conservative estimate of the total amount of funding
that is expected to be available through HUD over the course of the five years
covered by this Plan. The estimates for CDBG and HOME are based on 80% of the
current FY 2010 funding level, multiplied by five (to arrive at a cumulative five -year
figure). CDBG and HOME Program Income estimates are based on 80% of the
projections listed in the Consortium's 2009 Annual Action Plan. The estimate for
HOME Matching Funds is 25% (the minimum amount of match required) of the five -
year HOME estimate.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 23
Grant Program
Amount
CDBG (Town of Chapel Hill)*
$2,533,620
CDBG Program Income **
$29,352
HOME (Orange County Consortium)*
$2,913,108
HOME Program Income **
$204,232
HOME Matching Funds*
$728,277
TOTAL
$6,408,589
* 80% of FY 2010 allocations for the next 5 years
** 80% of average program income over the past 5 years
Strategic partners who will assist in the implementation and management of the Plan
include the following:
Orange Count
The Town of Chapel Hill
The Town of Carrboro
The Town of Hillsborough
The Community Home Trust
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, NC
The Banks Law Firm
InterFaith Council for Social Service
Orange Congregations in Mission
The Joint Orange-Chatham Community Action Agency
EmPOWERment, Inc.
USDA /Rural Development
Chapel Hill Training & Outreach Agency
Chapel Hill - Carrboro YMCA
Inter - Church Council Housing Corporation
Housing for New Hope
CASA
Volunteers for Youth
Managing the Process
1. Identify the lead agency, entity, and agencies responsible for administering
programs covered by the consolidated plan.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Orange County Consortium is made up of several local government entities.
These entities have various responsibilities for administering programs and activities
through a variety of departments as described below.
Orange County is responsible for administration of the Section 8 program for the
County, the CDBG Small Cities program and serves as the lead agency for the
Orange County HOME Consortium.
The Town of Chapel Hill is the administrator of the Town's CDBG entitlement
program. The Town also conducts long -range planning and policy design for housing
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 24
development and implements the Town's Inclusionary Zoning and affordable housing
program.
The Town of Carrboro administers the Carrboro CDBG Small Cities program and the
planning department is responsible for planning and policy design for housing
development. The Town also has a successful revolving loan fund for small
businesses.
The Town of Hillsborough is responsible for planning and policy development for the
Town.
2. Identify the significant aspects of the process by which the plan was developed,
and the agencies, groups, organizations, and others who participated in the
process.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
Most of the nonprofit organizations work closely together on housing issues. Local
government staffs work with the nonprofits on a regular basis, since many nonprofit
activities are supported with local funds. The following organizations provided a key
role in the development of this 5 -year Consolidated Plan:
• Community Home Trust is a housing development corporation, whose
operating budget is funded by Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The
organization utilizes the land trust model for homeownership to create
permanently affordable housing opportunities for Orange County residents.
• Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is a strong local affiliate of the
national organization and strives to develop affordable units within Orange
County, the Town of Hillsborough and Town of Chapel Hill.
• InterFaith Council for Social Service (IFC) operates a homeless shelter and
is a chief advocate for the homeless population. IFC also offers a program to
prevent homelessness through financial assistance to families that are at risk of
losing their permanent housing.
• Orange Congregations in Mission serves northern Orange County, offering
programs that prevent homelessness through financial assistance to families that
are at risk of losing their permanent housing.
• The Joint Orange- Chatham Community Action Agency is a local community
action agency offering a wide variety of rehabilitation, weatherization, counseling
and financial assistance to very low- income families.
• EmPOWERment, Inc. is a community development corporation that promotes
models of community building, problem solving and social action to mobilize low -
income communities to build shared vision and power for community change.
• Community Alternatives for Supportive Abodes (CASA) is a non - profit a
developer of affordable multi -unit rental properties for residents who are low -
income or have mental and /or physical disabilities.
Y 2013 -2014 action Plan 25
Private Industry
Private lenders (especially those interested in achieving the lending goals of the
Community Reinvestment Act), public lenders like Rural Development, builders,
realtors and developers, are entities whose assistance is crucial to the success of
housing initiatives undertaken in Orange County.
Utility companies develop construction and energy conservation standards to reduce
energy costs. They also provide information and training on energy- saving practices
in home, such as how to install insulation and weather stripping. Low - interest loans
are available from utility companies for the purchase and installation of insulation,
high efficiency heat pumps and other energy conservation measures.
Public Housing Authorities
The Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing operates 336 conventional public
housing units.
The Orange County Housing Authority Board operates the Section 8 Housing Voucher
Program. The program provides approximately 623 vouchers to low income families.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners appoints a seven member Housing
Authority Board who serves as the governing board and the managerial affairs of the
County conform to applicable County ordinances and policies. A resident advisory
board has been established to include Section 8 residents in the decision - making
process. The Orange County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners sets policy
for the public housing functions and approves the Annual Public Housing Agency
Plan.
3. Describe actions that will take place during the next year to enhance coordination
between public and private housing, health, and social service agencies.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The existing coordination of services has been enhanced with the creation of the
Orange County HOME Consortium whose members include Orange County, Carrboro,
Chapel Hill and Hillsborough.
Additionally, in an effort to facilitate communication with other local housing
nonprofit organizations, the members of the HOME Program Consortium will convene
semi - annual meetings with these organizations. Items shared during these meetings
will include clarification of federal and state housing program regulations and
discussion of local housing programs and initiatives.
Citizen Participation
1. Provide a summary of the citizen participation process.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
Participation of the general public and also public organizations is extremely
important to HUD and to the development of a consolidated plan. To maximize
citizen participation, Orange County held a public hearing on February 7, 2012 to
receive citizen comments regarding the Annual Action Plan. The public hearing was
advertised in local newspapers in advance. The meetings were held in Orange County
at the following location.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 26
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Hillsborough Commons - DSS Conference Room
106 Mayo Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
7:00 P.M.
Additionally, the Town of Chapel Hill conducted two public forums. The meetings
were advertised in the local newspapers and on the Town's website:
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Town Council Public Forum
Town Hall Council Chambers
405 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
7:00 P.M
A draft of the Annual Action Plan was made available on the Orange County, Town of
Hillsborough, Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Carrboro websites for review and in
the office of the Orange County Housing, Human Rights and Community
Development Department.
2. Provide a summary of citizen comments or views on the plan.
Comments from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners
February S, 2013 board meeting:
1. Robert Dowling, Executive Director of the Community Home Trust indicated that
they would request $60,000 in HOME funds to subsidize town homes in the
Ballantine and 140 West Franklin developments. The Community Home Trust will
request $20,000 for operational expenses.
Susan Levy, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, Inc., stated that Habitat
would request $300,000 for second mortgage assistance in the Phoenix Place
subdivision, Chapel Hill, Fairview in Hillsborough and Tinnin Woods subdivision in
Efland Cheeks Township, Efland, NC.
Summary of Comments from February 27, 2013
Community Development and HOME Program Pubic Forum
13. Terry Allebaugh, the Executive Director of Housing for New Hope, stated that
Housing for New Hope is requesting support for their housing programs to
end homelessness, specifically $12,000 in CDBG funds to continue support for
their housing specialist and $50,000 in HOME funds for rental support.
14. Aubrey Vinson, the Youth Director at the Chapel Hill - Carrboro YMCA stated
that the YMCA's Afterschool Outreach Program, which provides a safe,
positive afterschool experience for children from low- income housing, is
requesting continued funding to support the program. Mr. Vinson stated that
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 27
without the Community Development program funds, the YMCA might not be
able to continue this program.
15. Jess Brandes, Projects Coordinator for CASA, said that CASA is requesting
funds to further their efforts to provide affordable rental housing and in
specific their Supportive Housing Program in Chapel Hill which pairs tenants
who are homeless or at risk of being homeless with a safe, quality, affordable
apartment. The Supportive Housing Program currently serves 23 households
in Chapel Hill and aims to keep these tenants permanently housed.
16. Anita Badrock, the Operations Manager at the Community Home Trust, stated
that the Community Home Trust is in need of funds to make homes affordable
to new buyers, for the resale of existing homes, for support of existing
homes, and for operational support. Anita also noted that the Community
Home Trust is requesting the same amount of funds as they have since 2008,
and this year they will be forced to finance homes from their reserve
accounts; she stated that these practices are not sustainable for the long-
term, and the Community Home Trust staff is looking forward to the
upcoming Work Session with the Council to discuss these issues in more
detail.
17. Rob Reda, representing Habitat for Humanity, which provides housing for low -
income individuals in the community, presented Habitat for Humanity's
request for $300,000 in HOME funds to support the building of 15 homes,
eight of which will be in Chapel Hill. He also requested that affordable housing
be a high -level priority in the budget for the coming year.
18. Laura Moore, a representative of the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors,
is requesting HOME funds to build the remaining seven houses in the Phoenix
Place neighborhood. Phoenix Place neighborhood has provided safe,
affordable housing for 50 low- income households. She also requested that
affordable housing be a priority in the Town's budget for the coming year.
19. Riri Way, a resident of Phoenix Place, spoke in support of Habitat for
Humanity's request. She said that her parents purchased their home through
Habitat for Humanity, and she expressed her support for the allocation of
HOME funds to Habitat for Humanity.
20. Jennifer Prater, another resident of Phoenix Place, related her story of
acquiring home ownership through a Habitat home. She encouraged the Town
to support affordable housing as a priority in the budget.
21. Barbara Redman, a homeowner in Phoenix Place, also spoke in support of
funding for Habitat for Humanity and encouraged the Town to add affordable
housing as a line -item in the budget.
22. Delores Bailey, Executive Director for EmPOWERment, Inc., is requesting
CDBG funds for its Career Explorers program that provides structured
summer employment opportunities for low- income youth in Orange County.
EmPOWERment, Inc. is also requesting HOME funding for purchasing
affordable housing units and increasing their inventory of affordable units at
all levels.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 28
2. Provide a summary of efforts made to broaden public participation in the
development of the consolidated plan, including outreach to minorities and non -
English speaking persons, as well as persons with disabilities.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The public hearings were held in central locations in the County that are
accessible to public transportation lines. All facilities were ADA accessible and a
Spanish interpreter was available upon request.
Public Notices were published in local newspapers and online on the County and
Towns' websites, which included the location and time of the public hearing.
The Executive Summary, as well as the entire 2010 -2015 Consolidated Plan was
available for public review and comment.
3. Provide a written explanation of comments not accepted and the reasons why
these comments were not accepted.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
All comments were received, none were rejected. As such, all Public Comments
received were incorporated into the Annual Plan Update as appropriate.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 29
Institutional Structure
1. Describe actions that will take place during the next year to develop institutional
structure.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
With the creation of the Community Home Trust, Orange County, Chapel Hill,
Carrboro and Hillsborough demonstrated the desire to cooperate among the several
jurisdictions to provide the best housing assistance that will serve the low- income
residents of Orange County. With respect to coordination of resources, funded
agencies will communicate with appropriate staff regarding projects in progress,
applications submitted to state and federal funding agencies, programs that are
particularly successful or troublesome, and other sharing of information and sources
of funds.
Monitoring
1. Describe actions that will take place during the next year to monitor its housing
and community development projects and ensure long -term compliance with
program requirements and comprehensive planning requirements.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
To insure that each recipient of HOME, CDBG, and other federal funds operates in
compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations, Orange County and the
Town will continue to implement a monitoring strategy that closely reviews
Subrecipient activities and provides extensive technical assistance to prevent future
compliance issues.
The Orange County Consortium will implement a risk analysis matrix for monitoring
all appropriate CDBG /HOME subrecipients for each Fiscal Year (FY). This risk analysis
closely mirrors the Community Planning Development (CPD) Notice 04 -01, Issued
February 2, 2004 and CPD Notice 02 -11, which delineates the relevant factors to
monitor for determining the risk level for the Consortium or subrecipients. Once
projects have been approved and subrecipients have been issued subrecipient
agreements, the staff conducts a four page risk analysis worksheet that looks at
Financial Capacity; Management; Planning and National Objectives.
Each subrecipient is graded and its score is listed in one (1) of three categories: low
risk: 0 -30 points; moderate risk: 31 -50 points; and high risk: 51 -100 points. Based
on the scoring for each subrecipient, the Consortium determines its annual
monitoring schedule based on the number of moderate and high risk subrecipients.
As a general rule, the staff will monitor on -site all moderate and high risk
subrecipients on an annual basis, typically at the midway point of the Fiscal Year.
Conversely, the low -risk subrecipients are monitored on -site every other Fiscal Year
during the same timeframe, and desk reviews are conducted throughout the year.
When a subrecipient's risk assessment calls for an on -site monitoring, the following
procedures are followed:
• The PI reviews its own files on the subrecipient to be monitored, particularly
quarterly reports, performance agreements, and payment requests.
• A visit is made to the subrecipient. PI staff meets with subrecipient staff,
reviews financial and administrative management, and visits program sites.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 30
Documents requested of the subrecipient may include: personnel policies;
annual audit; by -laws; fidelity bond; insurance policy; financial policies;
tenant selection policies; and marketing strategy.
• An exit conference is held with subrecipient staff to discuss concerns and
recommendations and to give the subrecipient agency an opportunity to ask
questions or clarify policies.
• The PI prepares a draft of the monitoring assessment letter to the
subrecipient agency's Director for review. The subrecipient is given the
opportunity to make corrections or provide additional information.
• Formal assessment letter is sent from the PI to Director and Board
Chairperson for the subrecipient.
• Staff presents the monitoring letter at a regularly scheduled Board meeting to
respond to questions or concerns.
• The subrecipient submits its response to the assessment letter.
In order to facilitate desk - reviews of subrecipients who are not monitored on -site,
subrecipients are required to submit detailed regular reports that describe the
progress of their programs, including rates of expenditure. Quarterly report deadlines
are: April 15th (Jan -Mar); July 15th (Apr- June); October 15th (July- Sept); and Jan
15th (Oct -Dec). Final reports include a summary of the program's
accomplishments — including the actual number of beneficiaries —and a description of
how funds were used. In certain situations, such as rental housing development,
annual reports (due July 15) may be required after the project is completed for the
duration of the affordability period.
Each subrecipient is graded and its score is listed in one (1) of three categories: low
risk: 0 -30 points; moderate risk: 31 -50 points; and high risk: 51 -100 points. Based
on the scoring for each subrecipient, the Consortium determines its annual
monitoring schedule based on the number of moderate and high risk subrecipients.
As a general rule, the staff will monitor on -site all moderate and high risk
subrecipients on an annual basis, typically at the midway point of the Fiscal Year.
Conversely, the low -risk subrecipients are monitored on -site every other Fiscal Year
during the same timeframe, and desk reviews are conducted throughout the year.
When a subrecipient's risk assessment calls for an on -site monitoring, the following
procedures are followed:
• The PI reviews its own files on the subrecipient to be monitored, particularly
quarterly reports, performance agreements, and payment requests.
• A visit is made to the subrecipient. PI staff meets with subrecipient staff,
reviews financial and administrative management, and visits program sites.
Documents requested of the subrecipient may include: personnel policies;
annual audit; by -laws; fidelity bond; insurance policy; financial policies;
tenant selection policies; and marketing strategy.
• An exit conference is held with subrecipient staff to discuss concerns and
recommendations and to give the subrecipient agency an opportunity to ask
questions or clarify policies.
• The PI prepares a draft of the monitoring assessment letter to the
subrecipient agency's Director for review. The subrecipient is given the
opportunity to make corrections or provide additional information.
• Formal assessment letter is sent from the PI to Director and Board
Chairperson for the subrecipient.
• The subrecipient submits its response to the assessment letter.
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 31
In order to facilitate desk - reviews of subrecipients who are not monitored on -site,
subrecipients are required to submit detailed regular reports that describe the
progress of their programs, including rates of expenditure. Quarterly report deadlines
are: April 15th (Jan -Mar); July 15th (Apr- June); October 15th (July- Sept); and Jan
15th (Oct -Dec). Final reports include a summary of the program's
accomplishments — including the actual number of beneficiaries —and a description of
how funds were used. In certain situations, such as rental housing development,
annual reports (due July 15) may be required after the project is completed for the
duration of the affordability period.
Lead -based Paint
1. Describe the actions that will take place during the next year to evaluate and
reduce the number of housing units containing lead -based paint hazards in order
to increase the inventory of lead -safe housing available to extremely low- income,
low- income, and moderate - income families, and how the plan for the reduction of
lead -based hazards is related to the extent of lead poisoning and hazards.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
In Orange County, evaluations (risk assessments) of lead -based paint in housing
units will be conducted by on a case -by -case basis and lead abatement will be
prescribed as needed for dwellings targeted for rehabilitation. In addition, all assisted
housing tenants will be informed of the hazards of lead -based paint. The Orange
County Health Department will provide ongoing consultation to local housing staff.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 32
Specific Housing Objectives
*Please also refer to the Housing Needs Table in the Needs.xls workbook.
1. Describe the priorities and specific objectives the jurisdiction hopes to achieve
during the next year.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
Orange County plans to achieve the following objectives during the next year,
dependent on available funding:
Affordable rental subsidy 10
Affordable Rental Housing Rehabilitated 62
Affordable Rental Housing Acquired 2
First -time homebuyers assisted: 35
The County will examine options that will promote higher density, mixed -use
development, and the preservation of open space.
2. Describe how Federal, State, and local public and private sector resources that
are reasonably expected to be available will be used to address identified needs
for the period covered by this Action Plan.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
HOME Proaram
Tenant -Based Rental Assistance - Housing for New $52,010
Hope
Homebuyer Assistance - Community Home Trust $60,000
Operations Support- Community Home Trust $20,000
Property Acquisition $185,000
Habitat for Humanity $300,000
Administration $36,431
s
Needs of Public Housing
1. Describe the manner in which the plan of the jurisdiction will help address the
needs of public housing and activities it will undertake during the next year to
encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and
participate in homeownership.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 33
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
Key activities of the Chapel Hill Department of Housing are:
Administration
1. To manage the public housing apartments in accordance with the HUD
guidelines and policies of the Town of Chapel Hill.
2. To provide staff support to the Public Housing Advisory Board.
3. To administer the Housing Capital Fund.
Resident Services
1. To recertify eligibility for public housing tenancy every 12 months.
2. To continue to provide financial and homeownership training opportunities for
participants in the Transitional Housing Program.
Maintenance
1. To maintain the public housing apartments in a decent, safe, and sanitary
condition.
2. To continue to refurbish public housing apartments.
3. To complete preventative maintenance, safety inspections, and repairs in all
336 housing units.
2. If the public housing agency is designated as "troubled" by HUD or otherwise is
performing poorly, the jurisdiction shall describe the manner in which it will
provide financial or other assistance in improving its operations to remove such
designation during the next year.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
This is not applicable as there are not troubled agencies within Orange County or any
of its municipalities.
Barriers to Affordable Housing
1. Describe the actions that will take place during the next year to remove barriers
to affordable housing.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
To address the Impact Fee, the Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted an
impact fee reimbursement policy, which provides funds to nonprofit housing
developers constructing rental and owner - occupied housing. This enables non - profits
to pay these fees without passing the costs on to the prospective renters or
homebuyers. With this reimbursement, the Board works to alleviate barriers to
affordable housing.
Strategies have been designed to help eliminate or reduce the impact of the
identified barriers. The following recommendations included in the AI promote fair
housing for the Orange County Consortium:
Increase the educational opportunities and provide training relating to Fair
Housing through workshops, forums and presentations
Target specific protected groups for fair housing information
Continue to consult with local lending institutions
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 34
Provide training to housing providers and consumers about their obligations and
rights.
Continue to work with the County and Town governments to develop appropriate
legislation and ordinances to assist with the development of affordable housing
Monitor and track the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance enacted by the Town of
Chapel Hill for effectiveness in the development of affordable housing and utilize
as a model ordinance for adoption by the Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough and
Orange County for implementation if positive results are determined.
The affordable housing provisions of the proposed Inclusionary Zoning
Ordinance' drafted by the Town of Chapel Hill apply to homeownership
developments in any of the following categories:
• Single- family or two family development, or subdivision of land to create
residential lots that involve:
❖ at least 5 single - family dwelling units or 2- family dwelling units; or
❖ at least 5 single - family lots; or
❖ two - family lots in which six (6) or more residential units are allowed
by the Chapel Hill Land Use Management Ordinance, either individually
or as part of the same subdivision.
Multi- family unit developments that create at least 5 multi - family dwelling
units; or
• Renovation or reconstruction of an existing building that contains multi - family
dwelling units, and that increases the number of dwelling units from the
number of dwelling units in the original structure by at least 5; or
Any change in use of all or part of an existing building from a non - residential
use to a residential use that has at least 5 dwelling units.
For development applications involving any of the above, provisions for affordable
housing must be included as part of the development proposal.
As with other types of development, Orange County's supply of affordable
housing is dictated by a variety of factors, the most significant being project
affordability, availability of land and infra - structure, developer preference for
building high -end housing, and government regulation. To address the
Educational Impact Fee, the Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted an
impact fee reimbursement policy, which provides funds to non - profit housing
developers constructing rental and owner - occupied housing to enable them to
pay the fee without passing the cost to the prospective renters or homebuyers.
With this reimbursement, the Board works to alleviate barriers to affordable
housing.
HOME/ American Dream Down payment Initiative (ADDI)
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Consortium does not propose to invest HOME funds in activities that are not
described in § 92.205(b).
2. If the participating jurisdiction (PI) will use HOME or ADDI funds for
homebuyers, it must state the guidelines for resale or recapture, as required
in § 92.254 of the HOME rule.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
All properties receiving financial assistance from Orange County for homeownership
activities must ensure that the housing remain affordable to families with incomes of
80% or less of the area median for at least 99 years from the date of initial
assistance.
Riaht of First Refusal
A right of first refusal or right to purchase is accomplished by means of a Declaration
of Restrictive Covenants on the property purchased by the first -time homebuyer. Any
assignment, sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of the property will not
be effective unless the following procedures are followed.
If the original homebuyer or any subsequent qualified homebuyer contemplates a
transfer to a non low- income household, the buyer must send Orange County and /or
the sponsoring nonprofit organization a notice of intent to sell at least 90 days before
the expected closing date. If Orange County and /or the sponsoring nonprofit
organization elect to exercise its right of refusal, it will notify the buyer within 30
days of its receipt of the notice and will purchase the property within 90 days.
If neither Orange County nor the sponsoring nonprofit organization advises the buyer
in a timely fashion of its intent to purchase the property, then the Buyer is be free to
transfer the property in accordance with the equity sharing provisions described
below.
Eauity Sharina
Orange County provides its financial assistance as deferred second loans secured by
a 40 -year Deed of Trust and Promissory Note, forgivable at the end of 40 years.
This Deed of Trust and Promissory Note constitute a lien on the property,
subordinate only to private construction financing or permanent first mortgage
financing.
The 99 year period of affordability for each individual housing unit is secured by a
declaration of restrictive covenants that incorporate a right of first refusal that may
be exercised by a sponsoring nonprofit organization and /or Orange County. This
declaration of restrictive covenants is further secured by a deed of trust. The
nonprofit organization and /or the County are responsible for compliance with the
affordability requirement throughout the affordability period, unless affordability
restrictions are terminated due to the sale of the property to a non - qualified buyer.
If the buyer no longer uses the property as a principal residence or is unable to
continue ownership, then the buyer must sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of their
interest in the property to a new homebuyer whose annual income does not exceed
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 36
80% of the area median. However, if the property is sold during the affordability
period to a non - qualified homebuyer to be used as their principal residence, the net
sales proceed S2 or "equity" will be divided equally between the seller and the County.
If the initial County contribution does not have to be repaid because the sale occurs
more than 40 years after the County contribution is made, then the seller and the
County will divide the entire equity realized from the sale.
Any proceeds from the recapture of funds will be used to facilitate the acquisition,
construction, and /or rehabilitation of housing for the purposes of promoting
affordable housing.
3. If the PI will use HOME funds to refinance existing debt secured by
multifamily housing that is that is being rehabilitated with HOME funds, it
must state its refinancing guidelines required under § 92.206(b). The
guidelines shall describe the conditions under which the PI will refinance
existing debt. At a minimum these guidelines must:
a. Demonstrate that rehabilitation is the primary eligible activity and ensure
that this requirement is met by establishing a minimum level of
rehabilitation per unit or a required ratio between rehabilitation and
refinancing.
b. Require a review of management practices to demonstrate that
disinvestments in the property has not occurred; that the long -term needs
of the project can be met; and that the feasibility of serving the targeted
population over an extended affordability period can be demonstrated.
c. State whether the new investment is being made to maintain current
affordable units, create additional affordable units, or both.
d. Specify the required period of affordability, whether it is the minimum 15
years or longer.
e. Specify whether the investment of HOME funds may be jurisdiction -wide
or limited to a specific geographic area, such as a neighborhood identified
in a neighborhood revitalization strategy under 24 CFR 91.215(e)(2) or a
Federally designated Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community.
f. State that HOME funds cannot be used to refinance multifamily loans
made or insured by any federal program, including CDBG.
RECAPTURE PROVISIONS
The HOME recapture provisions are established at §92.253(a)(5)(ii), and unlike the
resale approach, permit the original homebuyer to sell the property to any willing
buyer during the period of affordability while the PI is able to recapture all or a
portion of the HOME - assistance provided to the original homebuyer. Two key
concepts in the recapture requirements — direct subsidy to the homebuyer and net
proceeds - must be understood in order to determine the amount of HOME
assistance subject to recapture, and the applicable period of affordability on the unit.
The recapture approach requires that all or a portion of the direct subsidy provided
to the homebuyer be recaptured from the net proceeds of the sale.
2 New sales proceeds equals the gross sales price less selling costs, the unpaid principal amount
of the original first mortgage and the unpaid principal amount of the initial County contribution and
any other initial government contribution secured by a deferred payment promissory note and
deed of trust.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 37
Direct HOME subsidy is the amount of HOME assistance, including any program
income that enabled the homebuyer to buy the unit. The direct subsidy includes
down payment, closing costs, interest subsidies, or other HOME assistance provided
directly to the homebuyer. In addition, direct subsidy includes any assistance that
reduced the purchase price from fair market value to an affordable price. If HOME
funds are used for the cost of developing a property and the unit is sold below fair
market value the difference between the fair market value and the purchase price is
considered to be directly attributable to the HOME subsidy.
Net proceeds are defined as the sales price minus superior loan repayment (other
than HOME funds) and any closing costs. Under no circumstances can the PI
recapture more than is available from the net proceeds of the sale.
Recapture provisions cannot be used when a project receives only a development
subsidy and is sold at fair market value, because there is no direct HOME subsidy to
recapture from the homebuyer. Instead, resale provisions must be used.
The recapture option is used by most PJs because it is generally easier to administer
than the resale option. The recapture option works well when the sale of the
property will most likely preserve affordability without the imposition of resale
restriction.
Homebuyer housing with a recapture agreement is not subject to the affordability
requirements after the PI has recaptured the HOME funds in accordance with its
written agreement. If the ownership of the housing is conveyed pursuant to a
foreclosure or other involuntary sale, the PI must attempt to recoup any net
proceeds that may be available through the foreclosure sale. Because all recapture
provisions must be limited to net proceeds, the PJ's repayment obligation is limited
to the amount of the HOME subsidy, if any, that it is able to recover.
The written agreement between the homebuyer and the PJ, as well as mortgage and
lien documents are typically used to impose the recapture requirements in HOME -
assisted homebuyer projects under recapture provisions. The purpose of these
enforcement mechanisms is to ensure that the PI recaptures the direct subsidy to
the HOME - assisted homebuyer if the HOME - assisted property is transferred. Unlike
the resale option, deed restrictions, covenants running with the land, or other similar
mechanisms are not required by the HOME rule to be used in homebuyer projects
under the recapture option. However, many PJ's choose to use these mechanisms for
enforcing the affordability period and as notification of the transfer of the property.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Consortium does not propose to use HOME Program funds to refinance existing
debt (including debt secured by multi - family housing rehabilitated with HOME funds);
this question is not applicable.
4. If the PI is going to receive American Dream Down payment Initiative (ADDI)
funds, please complete the following narratives:
a. Describe the planned use of the ADDI funds.
b. Describe the PJ's plan for conducting targeted outreach to residents and
tenants of public housing and manufactured housing and to other families
assisted by public housing agencies, for the purposes of ensuring that the
ADDI funds are used to provide down payment assistance for such
residents, tenants, and families.
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 38
c. Describe the actions to be taken to ensure the suitability of families
receiving ADDI funds to undertake and maintain homeownership, such as
provision of housing counseling to homebuyers.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Consortium will not receive ADDI funds; this question is not applicable.
5. Describe the policy and procedures the PI will follow to affirmatively market
housing containing five or more HOME - assisted units.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The County of Orange has adopted the following HOME Affirmative Marketing Policy
for use in the Orange County HOME Program in accordance with 24 CFR 92.351. The
policy applies to all rental and homebuyer projects containing five or more HOME -
assisted units.
Methods for informing the public, owners, investors and potential
tenants about fair housing law and affirmative marketing policy.
Application or proposal packets for HOME projects will include a fair housing
brochure and language that discrimination in housing is prohibited. A copy of
the County's Civil Rights Ordinance (that includes Fair Housing) and the
Affirmative Marketing Policy will be available upon request.
b. All newspaper advertisements and brochures used to publicize the HOME
program and solicit participation from the public will display the Equal Housing
Opportunity logo. In addition, an Equal Housing Opportunity Poster is on display
in the Housing and Community Development office and discrimination complaint
forms are made available to the public.
2. Requirements and practices that owners must follow to comply with
affirmative marketing.
Any method used by an owner to advertise a unit for sale or rent must indicate
the owner's adherence to fair housing practices. This could be demonstrated by
using the Equal Housing Opportunity logo or phrase.
3. Procedures to be used to inform and solicit applications from persons in
the housing market area that are not likely to apply.
The Housing, Human Rights and Community Development Department will
conduct outreach to very low income and minority neighborhoods. Flyers and
brochures will be distributed to community centers and community based non-
profit organizations. Applications will periodically be taken at sites within the
neighborhoods to give homeowners with transportation difficulties the
opportunity to apply for HOME assistance. Special presentations regarding the
HOME projects will be made periodically to churches and community groups and
other similar groups.
All rental vacancies on HOME assisted units must be reported to the County's
Housing and Community Development office to be posted and made available to
the public. Low - income persons applying for or receiving housing assistance use
the property listings to locate housing units. Since the County receives referrals
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 39
from other social service agencies, this should assure that very low income,
minority or homeless families would have the opportunity to be informed of
available rental units.
4. Documentation by County and owners to assess results of efforts to
affirmatively market units.
a. The Housing and Community Development Department will maintain an
Affirmative Marketing File in which all notices to the media, public service
announcements, news articles, and paid advertisements are kept.
b. The Housing and Community Development Department has developed a rental
rehabilitation application form to be used by landlords in accepting applications
from prospective tenants. The purpose of this form is:
To assist the landlord in gathering information such as rent history and
employment, etc.
2. To provide notice that the owner adheres to fair housing practices and to
encourage citizens to report any discrimination to the Housing and
Community Development Department. This will be another means of
notifying the public of their fair housing rights.
3. Data concerning the family's race, ethnic group, sex and age of head of
household will be requested with an explanation that the information is
being collected voluntarily to assure non - discrimination in leasing the unit.
4. To provide the owner a means of documenting compliance with affirmative
marketing, the owner will be required to retain these applications and
submit them to the Housing and Community Development office as each
vacancy is filled.
Owners are required to submit a copy of all published rental or resale
advertisements as documentation of compliance with the Affirmative
Marketing Plan.
S. Description of how an owner's efforts will be assessed and what
corrective actions will be taken when an owner fails to follow
affirmative marketing.
Initial leasing of all units will be monitored closely to assure that lower income
families initially occupy all units and that affirmative marketing was used. In
those units leased to tenants unassisted through Section 8 vouchers, the rental
application forms will be reviewed to determine the effectiveness of
advertisements and outreach attempts. Annually, the tenants in each HOME
rental rehabilitation unit will be recertified as an eligible low or moderate - income
household.
First time homebuyers assisted through
comply with all fair housing practices in
will be monitored annually during their
with all HOME program requirements.
the HOME program will be required to
the sale of their property. Homeowners
periods of affordability for compliance
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 40
b. Each owner's affirmative marketing attempts will be assessed annually. If a
blatant disregard of the policies has been demonstrated, the Housing and
Community Development Department will refer the matter to the Department of
Human Rights and Relations to be considered as a possible violation of the
County's Civil Rights Ordinance.
As a last resort, after counseling and continued lack of compliance, an owner may be
required to repay, upon demand, the HOME assistance received from the County.
The owner's agreement will clearly state the procedures and reasons for the County
to declare an owner in default of the terms of the agreement thereby calling the
promissory note due for immediate payment.
Y 2013 ®2014 Action Plan 41
Specific Homeless Prevention Elements
*Please also refer to the Homeless Needs Table in the Needs.xls workbook.
1. Sources of Funds — Identify the private and public resources that the jurisdiction
expects to receive during the next year to address homeless needs and to
prevent homelessness. These include the McKinney -Vento Homeless Assistance
Act programs, other special federal, state and local and private funds targeted to
homeless individuals and families with children, especially the chronically
homeless, the HUD formula programs, and any publicly -owned land or property.
Please describe, briefly, the jurisdiction's plan for the investment and use of
funds directed toward homelessness.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Consortium expects to utilize the following funding sources during the next year to
address the homeless needs identified:
❑ Orange County Consortium
➢ HOME funds: $ 52,010
❑ Town of Chapel Hill
➢ CDBG funds:
$ 10,000
Total $ 62,010
2. Homelessness —In a narrative, describe how the action plan will address the
specific objectives of the Strategic Plan and, ultimately, the priority needs
identified. Please also identify potential obstacles to completing these action
steps.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Continuum will continue working to create a less fragmented service system with
fewer gaps in services. The overall coordination of the range of services offered by
the Continuum is enhanced through strong community partnerships, community
education, development of an HMIS system, and partnerships with various local,
state and federal groups that address the many factors impacting homelessness in
the community.
The Orange County Continuum of Care continues to strive toward the goals laid out
in Orange County's 10 -Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. These goals, which
have been incorporated into this Consolidated Plan, include adding additional
permanent housing, implementing an HMIS system and facilitating community
discussion of homeless issues.
3. Chronic homelessness —The jurisdiction must describe the specific planned action
steps it will take over the next year aimed at eliminating chronic homelessness
by 2012. Again, please identify barriers to achieving this.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 42
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The following are the strategies outlined in the CoC's 10 -Year Plan to End
Homelessness to reduce Chronic Homelessness. The Orange County Consortium is
adopting these strategies and incorporating them into its Consolidated Plan.
• Strategy 1.1: Establish an assertive street outreach program that targets
unsheltered homeless people at natural gathering places throughout Orange
County.
• Strategy 1.2: Establish an outreach system in Northern Orange County that
uses the congregate feeding programs as a place to begin identifying those
who are chronically homeless in the rural part of the county.
• Strategy 1.3: Create an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team that
targets those who are chronically homeless and integrates the team with the
above outreach efforts.
• Strategy 1.4: Ensure that both inpatient and outpatient substance abuse
treatment is made available to those chronically homeless individuals who
desire that service. If inpatient treatment is necessary, make sure that
permanent housing is not lost during the inpatient stay.
• Strategy 1.S: Identify strategies designed to address the needs for shelter
and services for individuals with complex behaviors that result in being
banned from kitchen /shelter services.
• Strategy 1.6: Sheltered chronically homeless people will be able to move
into permanent housing by receiving the services necessary for them to
obtain and maintain permanent housing.
• Strategy 1.7: 40 units will be rehabbed /rented /built to provide permanent
supportive housing (including the use of Assertive Community Treatment
Teams) for the chronic homeless in Orange County within the first 3 -5 years
of the plan.
• Strategy 1.8: Ensure that nonprofit developers have the organizational and
financial capacity to create new housing units within the community for the
chronically homeless.
• Strategy 1.9: Identify a wide variety of sites for housing the chronically
homeless throughout the county in the most fair and effective places within
the county.
• Strategy 1.10: Establish a rigorous evaluation mechanism that measures the
cost of individuals who are chronically homeless before and after they are
receiving housing and support services.
4. Homelessness Prevention —The jurisdiction must describe its planned action steps
over the next year to address the individual and families with children at
imminent risk of becoming homeless.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 43
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
Goal 3: Prevent Homelessness
• Strategy 3.1: Youth aging out of the foster care system will maintain a
relationship with human services in order to prevent homelessness.
• Strategy 3.2: Begin examining the data and relevant strategies designed to
work with unemancipated youth between the ages of 16 -18 who are running
away.
• Strategy 3.3: Those exiting prison, the military, hospitals and other health
related institutions will not be discharged into homelessness.
• Strategy 3.4: Assess the actual need and develop step down housing for
those exiting inpatient substance abuse treatment services. This housing
should create a safe and supportive environment designed to promote
recovery.
• Strategy 3.S: Those with unstable housing will receive the necessary
services to prevent loss of housing. This includes families who are doubled up
that may lose their housing, those who are experiencing an immediate health
care crisis that jeopardizes their housing, and those who have received
eviction notices.
• Strategy 3.6: Develop a plan designed to address the current gap in
affordable housing units available to homeless families and individuals.
• Strategy 4.7: Increase access to community resources (jobs, housing,
services, and childcare) in order to develop a maximum 90 -day length -of -stay
strategy for homeless persons in shelters to facilitate their return to
permanent housing.
• Strategy S.S: Develop strategies that demonstrate "proven results" to the
taxpayers of Orange County. Include specific values for the benefits
associated with investing in mental health.
5. Discharge Coordination Policy — Explain planned activities to implement a
cohesive, community -wide Discharge Coordination Policy, and how, in the coming
year, the community will move toward such a policy.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
Discharge coordination and planning is particularly important in Orange County due
to the hospital downsizing initiative mandated by the North Carolina Mental Health
Reform. The hospital downsizing plan calls for discharging well- functioning patients
to the community to allow them to recover in the most appropriate and least
restrictive setting. To respond to this initiative and to help prevent hospital discharge
from resulting in homelessness, the OPC Area Program has obtained state funding
for two full -time staff to serve as Community Integration Coordinators. Each client
targeted for placement back in the community has access to community capacity
funding to assist them in reaching their highest level of functioning in the
community. This funding is earmarked for housing needs, as well as psychiatric,
vocational and other community supports.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 44
Additionally, hospital social workers currently contact the Project for Psychiatric
Outreach to the Homeless (PPOH) social worker during patient discharge planning to
assure that mental health services are available to patients that become clients of
the Inter -Faith Council for Social Services. The PPOH is a psychiatric clinic at the IFC
Community House. The PPOH social worker and the social worker crisis services of
University of North Carolina Hospital are in the process of creating more
comprehensive follow -up services for homeless individuals who are patients of UNC.
In addition to these efforts, the Orange County Continuum of Care (CoQ is currently
working closely with the Durham County and Wake County CoC's to develop a
uniform Discharge Planning policy.
Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG)
(States only) Describe the process for awarding grants to State recipients, and a
description of how the allocation will be made available to units of local government.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Consortium will not receive ESG funds; this question is not applicable.
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 45
Community Development
1. Identify the jurisdiction's priority non - housing community development needs
eligible for assistance by CDBG eligibility category specified in the Community
Development Needs Table (formerly Table 2B), public facilities, public
improvements, public services and economic development.
Town of Chapel Hill Response:
The Town of Chapel Hill employs a comprehensive strategy to community
development, recognizing that simultaneous investments in housing, facilities,
infrastructure, and services are necessary in order to truly improve the living
environment for low- and moderate - income residents. Therefore, the housing and
homelessness strategies previously discussed in this Consolidated Plan do not stand
alone. Those programs are complimented by existing public facilities and public
services initiatives. Continued investment in each of these areas will ensure a vital
and comprehensive strategy for serving low- and moderate - income residents for
years to come.
A. Public Services
Public transportation, health services, and employment training are all
important facets of Chapel Hill's efforts to provide outstanding services,
particularly to its low- and moderate - income residents.
a. Status of Existing Services
Public Transportation
Chapel Hill Transit provides fare -free public transportation service
throughout the Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and UNC community. Working
together with Orange Public Transportation and the Triangle Transit
Authority, Chapel Hill Transit plays an invaluable role in the
comprehensive regional transportation network. Though options in
addition to general public bus service are available to residents
throughout the County, residents outside the more urban areas of
Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough are generally underserved.
Health Services
Orange County residents are offered health services to include clinical
dental services for adults and children, nutrition counseling, tobacco
prevention, preventive health, immunizations, family planning,
maternity care, and primary care provided through County- operated
facilities.
Employment Training
The Regional Partnership Workforce Development Board provides a
JobLink Career Center in Chapel Hill, serving as a one -stop service
center for job seekers and employers. The JobLink center provides
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 46
recruiting assistance to employers, assists job seekers with resumes
and job searches and offers a wide array of other various services.
Under North Carolina's Work First initiative, federal Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families [TANF] funds are utilized through
programs that emphasize job skills and services aimed at enhancing
TANF recipients' ability to provide for the needs of their families.
Additional workforce development activities are available to a broader
cross section of County residents to better prepare the local workforce
to take advantage of new jobs within the County.
b. Priority Needs
Need
Priority
Handicapped Services
High
Transportation Services
High
Substance Abuse Services
High
Employment Training
High
Health Services
High
Other Public Services
High
B. Infrastructure /Public Improvements
Providing essential services such as transportation, water, and sewer service
to Chapel Hill and Orange County residents requires an infrastructure system
that balances the reliable performance of existing systems with the need to
build system capacity necessary to accommodate future growth.
a. Status of Existing Infrastructure
Water & Sewer
Orange County's water needs are met by four independent providers:
• Orange Water and Sewer Authority (serving Chapel Hill and
Carrboro)
• Town of Hillsborough (serving Hillsborough)
• Orange - Alamance Water System /Efland Sewer System
(serving rural western Orange and eastern Alamance County)
• Graham - Mebane Water System /Town of Mebane (serving
Mebane)
In general, these water systems appear poised to meet the needs of
Orange County residents well into the future. Forward - thinking
leadership has secured additional water sources both in the form of
expanded reservoirs (an OWASA planned expansion will add 2.8 billion
gallons to its Stone Quarry Reservoir) and through inter - agency and
inter - governmental agreements ( OWASA reached an agreement in
2005 to purchase water from the City of Burlington).
Roads & Transportation Systems
Interstate Highways I -40 and I -85 pass through Orange County.
Additionally, over 750 miles of state - maintained highways travel
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 47
through the County. Connectivity between Orange County and its
dynamic Research Triangle region will allow the County and its towns
to keep a competitive edge as the area's population grows. At the
same time, this connectivity will ensure low- and moderate - income
residents can access the full breadth of jobs and opportunities
available. Planning for future growth and for the maintenance of
existing roadways and transit systems will be crucial to the County's
success and prosperity.
b. Priority Needs
Need
Priority
Water Improvements
Medium
Street Improvements
Medium
Sidewalks
Medium
Sewer Improvements
Medium
Storm Water Improvements
Medium
Other Infrastructure Needs
Medium
C. Public Facilities
From community centers to public parks to libraries and health centers,
Orange County residents have access to an array of high - quality public
facilities.
a. Status of Existing Facilities
Parks and Community Centers
The Orange County Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to
the purpose of enriching the physical, social and emotional quality of
life of the people of Orange County. The Department provides a variety
of enjoyable and affordable recreation programs for individuals of all
ages and abilities and strives to offer programs that respond to the
changing needs and interests of the community. Additionally, the
Parks and Recreation Department is committed to providing clean and
safe parks, preserves and greenways throughout the County, to
protecting and preserving the elements of natural and cultural heritage
within its parks, and to promoting the stewardship of these sites
through educational and conservational programs and practices.
The following parks, community centers, and recreation centers are
maintained by Orange County:
• Efland- Cheeks Park & Community Center
• Cedar Grove Park
• Central Recreation Center
• Eurosport Soccer Center
• Little River Regional Park
• Fairview Park (under construction)
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 48
The Town of Chapel Hill offers a variety of additional parks and similar
amenities offering:
• Aquatics Center
• Swimming Pools
• Baseball, Softball, and multi - purpose Fields
• Batting Cage
• Skate Park
• Climbing Wall
• Community Centers
• Community Clay Studio
• Dog Parks
• Community Rose Garden
• Gymnasiums
• Picnic Shelters
• Tennis Courts
• Volleyball Courts
• Bocce Ball Courts
• Numerous Trails, Parks, and Greenways
Libraries
The Orange County Libraries exist to meet the recreational,
educational, and informational reading needs of the citizens of Orange
County through books and other library materials of general public
interest. The library serves as a center for reliable information and
promotes the communication of ideas. The library promotes an
informed and enlightened citizenry and strives to strengthen the fabric
of the community.
With a main library in Hillsborough, two additional branch libraries [in
Chapel Hill and Hillsborough] and a °cybrary" in Carrboro, Orange
County Libraries provide citizens free access to books, periodicals,
audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, computers, and internet as well as book
clubs, children's programs, computer classes, public meeting space,
and even an art gallery.
Additionally, Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill jointly
support the separate Town of Chapel Hill Public Library. Use of the
library's services is free of charge to both Town and County residents.
Recognizing that highly specialized research collections and resources
are available to all North Carolina residents through the University
Library of UNC — Chapel Hill, The Town of Chapel Hill Public Library
offers complimentary library services, with a particular focus on
children's collections and recreational material.
Health Centers
The Orange County Health Department provides three facilities to
serve various health - related needs of residents: the Richard L. Whitted
Human Services Center in Hillsborough, the Southern Human Services
Center in Chapel Hill, and the Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro. Clinical dental
services for adults and children, nutrition counseling, tobacco
prevention, preventive health, immunizations, family planning,
maternity care, and primary care are all services provided through
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 49
these important facilities. The mission of the Orange County Health
Department is to enhance the quality of life, promote the health, and
preserve the environment for all people in the Orange County
community.
b. Priority Needs
Need
Priority
Neighborhood Facilities
Low
Parks and /or Recreation Facilities
Low
Health Facilities
Low
Parking Facilities
Low
Solid Waste Disposal Improvements
Low
Asbestos Removal
Low
Non - Residential Historic Preservation
Low
Other Public Facility Needs
Low
D. Economic Development
Economic Development initiatives in Chapel Hill seek to proactively develop
the potential of agriculture and small business, providing the County with an
important source of new growth and innovation.
a. Status of Existing Initiatives
Small Business Economic Development
A loan program, resource guide, and a Small Business and Technology
Development Center all provide valuable resources to small businesses
in the County. These efforts are assisted by additional resources
contributed by the Chapel Hill Downtown Economic Development
Corporation, and the Chapel Hill - Carrboro Chamber of Commerce.
b. Priority Needs
Need
Priority
Rehabilitation of Commercial and /or Industrial
Low
C/I Infrastructure
Low
Other Commercial and /or Industrial Improvements
Low
Micro - Enterprise Assistance
Low
ED Technical Assistance
Low
Other Economic Development
Low
Y 2013 -2014 Action Plan 50
2. Identify specific long -term and short -term community development objectives
(including economic development activities that create jobs), developed in
accordance with the statutory goals described in section 24 CFR 91.1 and the
primary objective of the CDBG program to provide decent housing and a suitable
living environment and expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and
moderate - income persons.
Town of Chapel Hill Response:
Goal 4 - Increase Caoacitv and Scone of Public Services
Priority 4.1 - Increase capacity and expand the scope of Public Services in order to reach out to more low- to
moderate - income residents.
Strategies:
- Strengthen partnerships with non - profits and other related associations (community
building, education, family services, etc.)
- Promote public services opportunities for area low- income residents
- Build community capacity and better coordinate services through the regular dissemination
of information. Examples may include Community Development Day workshops, self -help
workshops, activity updates, etc.
- Continue to work with area Chambers of Commerce and others to promote the economic
development of the community
Output Indicators:
- The plan includes funding for seven public services to activities that serve low -mod income
residents.
Antipoverty Strategy
1. Describe the actions that will take place during the next year to reduce the
number of poverty level families.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The 2006 -2008 American Community Survey Census data reported that 15,318
people in Orange County (14.2 %) had incomes below the poverty level —an increase
of 3,576 people since 1990. Based on 2000 Census data, approximately 6.2% of
families and 14.1% of the total population in Orange County fell below the poverty
line. Of all children under the age of 18, 9.0% lived in poverty while 7.4% of all
County residents aged 65 or greater had income below the poverty level. Families
living below the poverty level were more common in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough,
but Carrboro showed a significantly higher percentage of individuals in poverty
compared with all other Orange County municipalities.
In addition to housing problems, persons living in poverty often have other social
service needs. Many of them lack the basic skills necessary to obtain and hold decent
jobs. Some of them are single mothers who need affordable childcare while they
seek or maintain jobs. Others need treatment for medical or substance abuse
problems. Many of those living below the poverty level are children who would
benefit from special programs to address their educational, recreational and self -
esteem issues. The sheer number and variety of problems faced by people living in
poverty often have a tendency to overwhelm even the most capable and determined
people, creating a phenomenon of cyclical, generational poverty.
V::::Y 20.1.3. 20.1.4 Action Ilan 51
The high costs of homeownership in Orange County and the lack of safe, affordable
rental housing continue to be major challenges for low- income families. Rental
households face serious challenges with high cost, inadequate supply, and
competition with university students for limited housing stock. Access to
transportation or to communities that are practically walkable also presents a
difficulty, particularly outside Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill have targeted significant CDBG and
HOME resources within core low- income areas to execute their anti - poverty strategy.
These resources will act as catalysts to invite additional public and private
investment of capital and services; increase the quantity and quality of affordable
housing; and help low to moderate - income residents acquire needed information,
knowledge and skills to improve their employment opportunities.
Under North Carolina's Work First initiative, Orange County has developed a local
plan to assist those most in need and forms the basis for its anti - poverty activities.
Orange County's current Work First population [recipients of Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families, TANF] faces major obstacles in obtaining and retaining
employment because they are competing for jobs with a highly skilled workforce.
Unskilled and semi - skilled workers without a high school diploma or a recent
connection to the workforce are unable to obtain jobs that provide a living wage.
Barriers such as substance abuse, criminal records and chronic physical and mental
health problems have no quick fix. They are resolved as a result of participant
commitment, adequate resources and over time. Under the Work First initiative,
Orange County will provide the following:
• First Stop — provides a continuum of services including job search and job
preparedness
• Childcare — provides daycare subsidy payments and assisting with After - School
Programs
• Transportation — provides expanded transportation routes, vehicle donations and
financial assistance to address transportation needs
• Substance Abuse Services— provides initial screening, assessment, and
residential and outpatient treatment services
• Family Violence Option — provides full assessment of domestic violence,
counseling and support group sessions, and coordination of services such as
emergency housing, transportation and legal services
• Child Welfare Services— provides collaboration of services to ensure the safety
and well -being of children
• Emergency Assistance — provides housing, food and utility assistance
The Anti - Poverty Strategy is the unifying thread that ties the housing, homeless,
public housing and non - housing community development strategies together as one
comprehensive plan for reducing the number of families that fall below the poverty
level. In addressing each of the three components below, the Anti - Poverty Strategy
simultaneously links and implements the various strategies, goals and objectives
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 52
contained throughout this Consolidated Plan to promote self- sufficiency and
empowerment.
Improve the Quality and Availability of Affordable Housing
Eliminating many of the physical signs of poverty is a key element in the anti-
poverty strategy. The housing, public housing and community revitalization
initiatives work toward fulfilling this goal. The County and Town will direct significant
resources toward the creation of affordable housing and coordinating the efforts of
local nonprofit and for - profit providers. Affordable housing is the foundation for
achieving self- sufficiency.
Provide For and Improve Public Services
Important long -term goals in the strategy to reduce and eliminate poverty include
providing services to residents. Specifically, the strategy includes an emphasis on the
provision of operational subsidies for service providers.
Neighborhoods and Economic Development
Another component of the anti - poverty strategy includes goals and objectives for
improving the living and business environments throughout the Town of Chapel Hill.
The consolidated plan includes strategies to demolish or reuse vacant properties and
encourage businesses to invest in the Town. The Town of Chapel Hill will target
funding to focus CDBG and housing efforts to revitalize low and moderate income
communities within the overall community. Orange County will continue to focus its
efforts on a County -wide basis.
FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 53
Non - homeless Special Needs (91.220 (c) and (e))
*Please also refer to the Non - homeless Special Needs Table in the Needs.xls workbook.
1. Describe the priorities and specific objectives the jurisdiction hopes to achieve for
the period covered by the Action Plan.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
Orange County has identified two priority needs related to non - homeless populations
with special needs. Each priority is outlined below along with the strategies
proposed to meet the needs and the output indicators expected.
Goal 3 - Provide Housina and Services for Populations with Special Needs
Priority 3.1 - Service - enriched transitional housing for persons with special needs
Strategies:
- Promote and make public service funds available to homeless agencies that operate
emergency shelters
- Partner with other funding agencies to encourage the development of transitional housing
(SRO's, group homes) that is service - enriched
- Continue to strengthen partnerships with the local Continuum of Care
- Provide property acquisition funding to eligible non - profits and for - profits to develop
transitional housing
Output Indicators:
- Development of housing for 4 families with developmental disabilities
Priority 3.2 - Continuum of services for special populations including older adults, disabled, mentally ill, persons with
AIDS and at -risk you th
Strategies:
- Promote and make public service funds available to agencies that serve identified special
populations
- Partner with other funding agencies to encourage the development of transitional housing
(SRO's, group homes) that is service - enriched
- Continue to strengthen partnerships with local service providers
- Support applications for federal supportive housing funds
- Provide property acquisition funding to eligible non - profits and for - profits to develop
permanent housing for those with special needs
Output Indicators:
- Career and employment programs funded
2. Describe how Federal, State, and local public and private sector resources that
are reasonably expected to be available will be used to address identified needs
for the period covered by this Action Plan.
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Consortium expects to utilize the following funding sources during the next year to
address the non - homeless special needs identified:
V::::Y 20.1.3. 20.1.4 Action (Plan 54
❑ Orange County Consortium
➢ HOME funds: $ 0
❑ Town of Chapel Hill
➢ CDBG funds: $ 76,363
Total $ 76,363
Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Consortium will not receive HOPWA funds; this section is not applicable.
Specific HOPWA Objectives
Orange County HOME Consortium Response:
The Consortium will not receive HOPWA funds; this section is not applicable.
Y 2013 ®2014 Action Plan 55