HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-14-1996 - V-A 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No y-A
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 14, 1996
SUBJECT: Consolidated Housing Plan Annual Update
1996 HOME Program Design
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DEPARTMENT: Housing/Comm.Development PUBLIC HEARING YES NO_x_
Budget Amendment YES NO—x
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ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT
Executive Summary Tara L. Fikes, 2490
Annual Update
HOME Program Design (p.10) TELEPHONE NUMBER
Resolution Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Mebane 227-2031
Durham 688-7331
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PURPOSE: To adopt a resolution approving the Consolidated Housing Plan
Annual Update and approve the proposed HOME Program Activities for 1996-97.
BACKGROUND:
In 1995, 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 moderated income families and
special population groups in addition to outlining the strategies and plans
for addressing those needs. An Executive Summary of the Plan is attached.
The Consolidated Plan is required for all communities receiving HOME funds
and CDBG entitlement funds (Chapel Hill) .
Each year local communities are required to submit an annual update to the
Consolidated Plan by May 15, 1996. This Update includes 1996-97 Community
Development Plan for the Town of Chapel Hill and the 1996-97 HOME Program
Action Plan for the County. Public hearings were held by the Chapel Hill
Town Council on January 29 and March 27, 1996 and by the BOCC on March 6,
1996 to receive citizen comments regarding the Update prior to development.
The Update has now been developed and the established public comment period
is April 15 - May 14, 1996. In order to inform the general public of this
opportunity and encourage participation, a Notice of Public Comment was
placed in the Chapel Hill Herald. A copy of the plan is attached.
Further, in accordance with the Orange County HOME Consortium Agreement
dated August 27, 1992 as amended, the HOME Program Design for each year must
be approved by all jurisdictions prior to submission to HUD. Carrboro is
scheduled to consider approval on May 14, Chapel Hill on April 22 and
Hillsborough on May 13.
RECCHMENDATION:
The Manager recommends 1)adopting the resolution approving the 1996
Consolidated Plan Annual Update and 2) approving the proposed HOME Program
Activities for 1996-97.
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Department of Houshp and Urban Development
Office of Convnurilty Ptanr"and Dsvelvpmetrt
Orange County Consolidated Plan for 1995
Citizen's Summary
Located In North Carolina, Orange County includes not only the towns of Camboro and
Hillsborough, but also Chapel Hill, the home of the largest campus of die State university. The
presence of university students, more affluent and transient than other county.maldent4 has
created an Imbalance In terms of housing and community development needs. Orange County
must therefore, concenbate its efforts on serving a strong urban community and rural areas as
welt.
Action Plan
The Consolidated Plan for Orange County has a total budget of nearly$1.1 million, of which
8466,000 comes from Community Development Block Giant tCDBG)funds and$500.000 from
HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds (with 8112,600 in applicant match).
CWxen Pwticipatlon
Development of the Consolidated Plan for Orange County was undertaken by a staff working
group that included a representative from each municipal/county lurlsdiatlon throughout the
region. Having developed a draft plan,the working group presented It to the publio for
comment. Copies of the draft were available at the following locations, Chapel Hill Town Hall,
Chapel Hill Public Ubrary, Carrboro Town Hap, Orange County Department of Housing and
Community Development, Orange County Library, and Hillsborough Town Hall. In addition to
an advertisement describing the plan published In the Chapel Hill Herald, notices were mailed
to members of all human service agencies, housing nonprofit board members, and the
Chapel HIII Housing Advisory Committee members, Informing them of the availability of this
document for comment.
The Chapel Hill Town Council held two public hearings to elicit citizen comments, and the
Orange County Board of Commissioners held one public hearing.
COMMUNITY PROFILE
In 1990 the population of Orange County was 92,572. Of that number, 81 percent were white,
18 percent were African American, and 4 percent were other minority groups.Although the
Aslan*mwican and Pacific Islander population constituted lose than 1 percent of the total
population, approxkmtety 71 percent of the county's new AslaM4merican population resided
In Chapel Hill.
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A&orang to the 1990 census, 9,932 of all households in Orange County were considered
very low income, with incomes between 0-50 percent of median family income (MFQ.With the
exception of whites. a disproportionate percentage among all other racial groups was very
low income, ranging from 37 percent of the Native-American population to 44 percent of the
African-American population.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
conditions
The high cost of homeownership has forced many "ties to purchase housing in other
counties and commute into Orange County for work.The inflation of the rental market by
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) students has caused hardships fbr families
with incomes below 50 percent of MFI. larger rental units are particularly scarce.
Market Conditions
Although the median value of a new home was$147,577 In 1990, among the highest In the
State, the median Income for a family of four was 546,800. Muse of this imbalance, the
majority of residents cannot afford to buy a home within the county limits.
The availability of basic rental units was also a major concern, especially in the Chapel
Hill/Carrboro area. Many UNC-CH students have the financial means to compete with very low-
and low-income residents for the least expensive housing.The scarcity of three-bedroom or
more units has made it difficult for large families to find adequate housing.
Affordable Housing Needs
According to the f 990 census, Orange County had the highest percentage of very low-
income households with housing problems in North Carolina; 77 percent of residents In this
category cite cost burden and overcrowding as major Issues. The county had 12,012 low-
Income households, of which 5,189 were located in Chapel Hill. According to a 1989 report
from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, 1,052 units In Orange County
lacked indoor plumbing.
The lack of affordable housing forced renters to live in substandard units. Housing problems
were reported in 86 percent of very low-income households, and 97 percent of large families
were forced to live In overcrowded, substandard units. The majority of the 3.919 homeowners
In this category were cost burdened, paying between 31-50 percent of their Income on
housing.
The 7,070 other low-income residents, who earned 51-80 percent of MR, experienced fewer
housing problems. Approximately 36 percent of the low-income renters in Orange County and
43 percent of those in Chapel Hill had housing problems.
Homeless Needs
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The numbers of homeless persons in Orange County have increased dramatically. From
January 1 through December 1, 1WK,the InterFaith Council Community House reported
serving 878 individuals, of whom 2 out of 3 were males. Of this number, SW were Moan
American, 272 were white, and 62 were Hispanic. An additional 12,000 families. moony female
headed, were threatened with homelessness.
The greatest Increase M the homeless population in Orange County was among women,
children, and famines, frequently victims of domestic violence. Between 1991 and 1992.the
number of homeless women Increased by 1 o percent and the number of homeless children
Increased by 35 percent. Since the Battered Women's Shelter for Orange County and Durham
County is located in Durham,women who wanted to maintain their children's attendance in
the Chapel Hnl-Carrboro Schools had no other option but the homeless shelter.
However.the InterFaith Council Community House, the only shelter that serves the needs of
Orange County's homeless population, was not designed to accommodafe famines with
children.There were no public or private single-room occupancy facilities in Orange County
to provide transition for shelter residents. Substance abuse treatment was provided at only
one halfway house for women, and no Comparable facilities existed for men.
Public and Assisted Housing Needs
Orange County's only public housing consisted of the 336 units located In Chapel Hill.As of
May 1, 1998, 22 of these units were vacant, 16 of them were located in the South Estes Drive
development, which was scheduled for renovation.The majority of Chapel HMI's public
housing units were two- and three-bedroom units.
Ths county's Section S program, administered by the Orange County Homing and
Community Development Department, Included 403 certificates. 101 vouchers, and 97
moderate rehabliitation units.The other 269 units of assisted housing included the following:
68 from Section 8 new construction, 81 from the Farmers Home 615 program, 94 from
Section 236, and 26 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Loan
Management Program.
Barriers to Affordable Housing
The Consolidated Plan for Orange County identified the following barriers to affordable
housing:
• High cost of public improvements. In southern Orange County,where vacant
land served by public utilities is very limited,the price of land with water and
sewer service is too high for the development of affordable housing. In
unincorporated Orange County, although land accessible to urban services is
available. marry existing residences lack adequate plumbing facilities.An
estimated 10-24 percent of county septic systems fail at any given moment.
e Lack of adequate transportation.While the public transportation system In the
Chapel Hill-Carrboro urban area Is comprehensive, access to jobs'and facilities
outside the urban area is limited by a lack of transportation.
Fair HounkM
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Orange County will consult with the local Human Rights and Relations Department to
determine a method for conduoting on onolysio of Impodimonto to fdr houcing ohoioo.
Lread4heed PaW
According to the 1lM census, 22,653 very low- and low-income housing units In Orange
County built between 1960 and 1979 were contaminated with lead-based paint. Of this
number, 10,238 were rental units and 12,417 were owner occupied.
According to the Orange County Health Department, one case of lead-bowed paint poisoning
has been reported in the county since 1993. In that case an investigation of the home was
conducted, and abatement of the lead hazard was completed by the property owner. In
addition, 492 children were screened in Orange County; 59 had elevated blood4ead levels.All
children who receive medical treatment from the We# Child Clinic are tested for exposure to
lead-based paint each year.
Evaluations of the prevalence of lead-based paint in housing units will be conducted through
Orange County, and lead abatement will be prescribed for all 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 provides ongoing consultation to local
housing staff.
Other issues
Among special populations the 12-bed Freedom House was the only facility for women
recovering from substance abuse.Although the AIDS Service Agency of Orange County
Identified 82 HN-infected Orange County residents in 1969, the only adequate emergency
medical Willy for persons with HIV/AIDS in the county is University of North Carolina
Hospital. A six-bed domiciliary care home was opened in 1 995 by the AIDS Service Agency of
Orange.
Community Development Needs
Orange County has Identified the need for increased economic development opportunities for
low- and moderate-income citizens and revitalization of businesses serving Iaw4ncome
neighborhoods in Chapel Hill.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Housing Pdor ties
The Consolidated Plan for Orange County identified the following housing priorities for 1995-
2n00:
e Provide rehabilitation assistance for very low-and low-income homeowners and
renters.
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e Reduce the number of owner-occupled and rental housing units without indoor
plumbing
• Provide assistance to households at less than 00 percent of MFI to Connect to
existing public water and sewer systems.
• Facilitate the construction of up to 50 new units of rental housing that is
affordable to very low- and low-Income families.
• Create transitional housing units for homeless individuals.
Nonhousing Community Development Priorities
The Consolidated Plan for Orange County identified the following community development
priorities:
• Provide economic development opportunities to low-and moderate-income
citizens in Chapel Hill.
• Revitalize the business areas sewing low-income neighborhoods of Chapel Hill.
Antipoverty Strategy
The Joint Orange Chatham Community Action Agency designed the county's antipoverty
strategy.This strategy seeks to.estabiish and coordinate linkages between governmental end
other social service programs to Wiltate the effective delivery of services to low-income
individuals.The strategy includes the right of lower income residents to do the following:
Secure and retain meaningful employment.
• Attain an adequate education.
• Make better use of available income.
• Obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable fivirg environment.
• Obtain emergency assistance to meet immediate and urgent family needs.
• Remove obstacles that block the achievement of seff-sufficiency.
• Achieve greater participation In the affairs of the community.
Coordination of the Strategic Plan
Through the Orange Community Housing Corporation, Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro,
and Hillsborough work in collaboration to implement the plan, as folkaws:
• The Chapel Hill Planning Department administers the CDBG program.
• The Orange County Housing and Community Development Department
administers the Section 8 program and serves as the lead agency for the
Orange County. HOME Consortium,which Includes Orange County. Carrboro,
Chapel H111, and Hillsborough.
• The Chapel HNI Department of Housing operates public housing In Chapel Hill
and Carrboro.
+ The Town of Carrboro administers the Carrboro CDBG Small Cities program.
• The Hillsborough Planning Department is responsible for planning and policy
development for the town, including the recently adopted 2010 plan.
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1996-97 Annual Update to the 1995-2000 Consolidated Plan for Housing and
Community Development Programs in Orange County North Carolina
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.
The Consolidated Plan not only serves as an application for each of the four programs, but
also provides a detailed description of a community's housing needs and conditions and
community development needs.
Federal regulations require jurisdictions that receive HOME Program funds or Community
Development funds to submit a Consolidated Plan. Since Chapel Hill receives Community
Development funds and is a member of the Orange County HOME Consortium, which
receives federal HOME Program funds, we are permitted to submit one plan that will detail
the housing needs of the entire County and the community development needs of Chapel
Hill. These regulations allow us to submit our annual Community Development plan within
the Consolidated Plan. The Orange County HOME Consortium submitted the first joint
1995-2000 Consolidated Plan to HUD on May 16, 1995.
The Orange Consortium is required to submit an annual update to the 1995 - 2000
Consolidated Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by May 15,
1996. The following is the 1996-97 Annual Update.
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B. Resources
1. Federal Resources
The following federal resources are expected to be available during the
coming Fiscal Year to address the priority needs and specific objectives
identified in the strategic plan.
Federal Programs
CDBG funds $408,000 Town of Chapel Hill- for
housing rehabilitation, new
construction, and public
facilities.
HOME funds $612,500 Orange County
Consortium - for new
construction and
acquisition/rehabilitation
and administrative costs.
Supportive Housing $1.3 million InterFaith CounciUOrange-
Program Durham Coalition for
Battered Women - for
construction of transitional
housing.
Non-Federal Programs
State CDBG Program $378,495 Orange County- to
rehabilitate substandard
dwellings.
State CDBG Program $500,000 Town of Carrboro - to
rehabilitate substandard
dwellings.
Local Resources (Local
General Fund)
Orange County $47,250 HOME Match
Town of Carrboro $13,500 HOME Match
Town of Chapel Hill $46,125 HOME Match
Town of Hillsborough $5,625 HOME Match
ITOTALRESOURCES 1 $3,311,495
{
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C. Planned Activities
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997
NOTE.Although the federal budget has been passed which provides the same amount of
funding for this program as last year, the Orange County HOME Consortium has not
received official notdcabon of the 1996-97 allocation. Thus, although, we do not know the
amount of our 1996-97 allocation, the 1996-97 Action Plan is based on our 1995-96 grant
amount of$612,500.
Priority: Facilitate the construction of new or substantially rehabilitated housing
units that are affordable to families below 60% of the area median.
Funds would be allocated to Habitat for Humanity, Orange County for site improvements
for five lots in the Culbreth Park subdivision. Due to steep topography conditions, it is
necessary that substantial site improvements be made before construction can begin on
the lots.
$40,000
We will provide funds to the Orange Community Housing Corporation to develop a small
housing demonstration project on Scarlett Drive and Legion Road. Funds would be used
for site improvements.
$70,000
Priority: Create transitional housing units for shelter residents who can live
independently.
Funds would be used to assist the InterFaith Council Community House (local homeless
shelter) and Freedom House( local substance abuse program) in the construction of drug
and alcohol free housing for low-income and homeless residents of Orange County. A
twenty-four bed facility would be built that would also serve as the headquarters for the
Employment Project, a job training and substance abuse counseling program for shelter
residents.
$336,600
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Priority: To assist local nonprofit human service agencies to provide a
continuum of housing options for special populations including older
adults, disabled, mentally ill, and persons with AIDS.
Funds would be used to assist the Orange-Person Chatham Mental Health Association
with the purchase and if necessary renovation of several condominiums in a complex for
severely and persistently mentally ill Orange County residents.
$125,000
Program Administration:
$40,900
Total Funds Available:
$612,500
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TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997
Note: The U.S. Department of Housing and Development has informed us that the Town
will receive at least$207,000 of federal Community Development funds. It is possible that
the Town will receive additional funding equivalent to our 1995-96 grant of $468,000.
Therefore, we propose two options below: the Main Proposal is based on receiving
$468,000 and the Alternative Proposal is based on receiving $207,000.
Priority: Provide rehabilitation assistance for very low and low income
homeowners and rental housing serving very low and low income
tenants.
Funds would be used to renovate and refurbish the Craig / Gomains public housing
community according to the Five-Year Public Housing Renovation and Refurbishing Plan.
In addition, funds would be used to renovate and construct playgrounds in Chapel Hill
public housing communities:
Main Proposal: $350,000; Alternative Proposal: $167,000
Priority: Facilitate construction of new or substantially rehabilitated housing
units that are affordable to families below 60% of the area median. .
Funds would be used to continue revitalization of the Pine Knolls neighborhood. We
would assist the Pines Community Center with property acquisition, rehabilitation,
homebuyer assistance, public improvements and public service activities for children living
in the Pine Knolls neighborhood. In addition, funds could be used for community
programs that support the neighborhood revitalization efforts in the Pine Knolls or public
housing neighborhoods.
Main Proposal: $45,000; Alternative Proposal: $0
Priority: Provide funds to organizations that sponsor community service
programs to low-and moderate-income Chapel Hill residents.
Funds would be appropriated to the Inter Faith Council Community House (a local
homeless shelter) to continue operation of the Employment Project, a job training and
substance abuse counseling program for shelter residents. In addition to substance abuse
counseling, this twelve-month program is designed to provide shelter residents with the
necessary skills to obtain employment and self sufficiency.
Main Proposal: $10,000; Alternative Proposal: $0
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Funds would be allocated to the Chapel Hill -Carrboro YMCA to continue operation of the
Pine Knolls After School Day Care Program held at the Pine Knolls Community Center.
Main Proposal: $10,000; Alterngtive Proposal: $0
Program Administration:
Main Proposal: $53,000; Alternative Proposal: $40,000
Total Funds Available:
Main Proposal: 468,000; Alternative Proposal: $207,000
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TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL
COMPREHENSIVE GRANT PROGRAM
July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997
1. Renovation work at Craig / Gomains public housing community
Funds would be used to renovate the Craig / Gomains public housing community.
Renovation work will include the abatement of lead based paint, replacement of water
and sewer lines, replacement of floor tile, replacement of exterior doors and the
replacement of bathroom tubs and fixtures and interior and exterior painting.
$ 302,300
2. Fees and Costs
Funds would be used for the Architectural / Engineering Costs to design and write
specification for the renovation work.
$35,400
Salary of a Building Rehabilitation Technician that would be responsible for monitoring
renovation work of the Craig / Gomains public housing community. This person would
also be responsible for the day-today monitoring of renovation work, the preparation of
work records, and interviewing of workers as required by federal regulations.
$27,400
3. Additional Improvements: This category includes services and activities that
would enhance the overall management and operation of the public housing
program. It also includes economic opportunities for public housing residents.
Resident Council Activities
Funds will be used to employ three public housing residents to staff the community spaces
at Eastwood, Airport Gardens and South Estes Drive public housing communities.
Residents will work part-time, approximately twenty hours per week.
$17,500
Groundsworkers
Funds will be used to continue to employ five public housing residents to pick up litter in
five public housing neighborhoods. Residents work on a part - time basis for
approximately six hours per week.
$11,300
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Resident Activities Coordinator
Funds will provide part of the salary of the Resident Activities Coordinator. The Resident
Activities Coordinator would implement the Drug Elimination Grant, youth sports programs
and other programs as requested by residents.
$10,600
Office Supplies for the Resident Council
Funds would be used to continue to provide office supplies for the Resident Council to
supplement the federal Tenant Opportunities Grant to the Resident Council.
$1,000"
Travel and Registration Fees
Resident training will include the cost of travel and registration fees for public housing
residents to attend workshops and programs.
$2,000
4. Administrative Costs
Staff Costs
Administrative fund would be used for a portion of the salary of Housing Staff who oversee
the monitoring of contracts for professional services and renovation work, and the HUD
Comprehensive Grant reporting requirements.
$28,800
Equipment
Funds would be used to purchase computer equipment and to upgrade the computerized
inventory and work order system.
$4,000
Trainina
Funds would be used for the maintenance staff to attend training sessions.
$3,000
TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE:
$443,300
*Note: We will consider making these funds available to the Resident Council if all other
available funds are used before the end of the 1996-97 fiscal year.
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D. Geographic Distribution - Activities will take place in the Towns of Carrboro,
Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Orange County.
E. Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities
Orange County Continuum of Care Plan
Orange County's Continuum of Care Plan uses as a foundation, work began
by the Homeless Women and Children Task Force which was organized in 1991.
The Orange County Commission for Women, with the support and approval of the
IFC Community House Board, created a task force to study the issues surrounding
homeless women and children. Specifically, there was a concern about the growing
number, and special needs of homeless women and children coming to the IFC
Community House -the local homeless shelter. In the summer of 1993, the Task
Force presented a Community Report and Recommendations to the Orange County
Board of Commissioners. Over 80 recommendations were made to public and
private agencies to address a broad range of special needs and barriers to service
delivery for homeless families. Subsequently, another county wide task force was
formed to plan for the development of housing options for homeless families in
Orange County.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners appointed members to serve on its
Emergency Family Support and Shelter Task Force. The Task Force includes
representatives from the Inter-Faith Council, Orange-Durham Coalition for Battered
Women , Orange County Department of Social Services, Day Care Services
Association, the Orange County Commission for Women, Orange-Person-Chatham
Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Authority, The
Women's Center, and North State Legal Services, as well as representatives from
the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Orange County.
With the Task Force efforts as the background, this Continuum of Care Plan has
the following components:
1. Emergency Shelter Assessment;
2. Transitional Housing and Necessary Social Services Needs; and
3. Plans for Permanent Supportive Housing.
The examination of these components will assist the County in understanding the
gaps in the provision of services to the homeless population and in developing
strategies to address the identified gaps.
Emeraencv Shelter Assessment
The Inter-Faith Council (IFC), a local non-profit agency, began providing shelter for
Orange County's homeless population in 1985. The shelter facility is known as
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Community House and is the only emergency housing resource for families in
Orange County. It is designed to provide only short-term emergency shelter for
families and singles. A recent report from Community House indicates a dramatic
increase in the housing needs of homeless persons in Orange County. From
January 1 through December 1, 1994, the shelter served 879 individuals and
operated at capacity almost every night. Of this number: 645 were male and 234
female. Further, 546 (61%) were African-American; 272 (31%) were White; 62
(7%) were Hispanic and approximately one percent were Native American and
Other. The Community House served approximately 980 individuals during 1995.
Approximately 60% of those that stay in the shelter claim housing issues as the
premier life occurrence that lead them to the Triangle area seeking employment
without adequate funds to get re-established.
For battered women, emergency shelter is available only in the neighboring county,
Durham County, at the Orange/Durham Coalition for Battered Women shelter.
Many battered women from Orange County are unable or unwilling to use the
Battered Women's Shelter in Durham. The primary reason for this is that a move
to Durham can involve changing jobs or switching children's' schools. There are
also transportation challenges in accessing the shelter.
The Community House as well as the Coalition for Battered Women have well
established networks for identifying homeless families and domestic violence
victims in Orange County. Organizations that may currently refer families to
Community House and/or the Coalition include OPC Mental Health, IFC, Family
Services Division, the Rape Crisis Center, Orange Congregations in Mission, the
Department of Social Services, the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School District, Day Care
Services Association, the Orange County Sheriffs Department, the local Helpline,
area hospitals, local congregations, local police departments, and other emergency
shelters in the Triangle area.
However, the existing emergency shelters are only designed for short-term stays.
Therefore, it was recognized that long term transitional housing was needed in this
community.
Transitional Housing and Supportive Housing Needs
In August 1994, the Inter-Faith Council and the Orange/Durham Coalition for
Battered Women submitted a 1994 Supportive Housing Program Grant for the
construction of transitional housing for their present client population. This decision
resulted from the work of the Homeless Women and Children Task Force, the
Emergency Family Support and Shelter Task Force. Approximately $1.3 million
dollars was received in late 1994. This initiative, known as Project HomeStart, is
the result of a community-wide planning process that has involved a number of area
non-profit and governmental agencies.
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Specifically, Project Home Start has three main components which will help to fill
the transitional housing gap in Orange County:
1. Three congregate housing facilities, housing up to five families;
2. The leasing of 10 scattered site units, as a second stage of
transition for those families leaving the congregate stage who are
unable to move directly into permanent housing; and
3. A comprehensive package of services, case management, and
housing placement that will help end the cycle of homelessness for
families in Orange County.
Several local human service providers have collaborated with the Inter-Faith
Council and the Orange-Durham Coalition for Battered Women on Project
HomeStart and have made specific commitments to the project. They are as
follows.
1. Piedmont Health Services: Providing medical staff and supervisory aid
for children's and adult's clinics.
2. Orange County Health Department: Transportation will be provided to
each organization's clinic facilities to complement on-site clinics.
3. Day Care Services Association: Providing placement and subsidy for
homeless children in area day care.
4. Chapel Hill/Carrboro Schools: Providing $5,000 for day care, after- school,
summer programs, and supplies for homeless children.
5. Chapel Hill YMCA: Providing after-school services for elementary-aged
youngsters and free memberships for families.
6. Orange County Department of Social Services: Providing day care
subsidy for a portion of the children. IFC plans to request on-site
assistance for AFDC and Food Stamp Programs.
7. University of North Carolina Dept. of Psychiatry: Providing psychiatric
resident for services to be shared by Project HomeStart and Community
House.
8. Orange Person Chatham Mental Health: Providing psychological and
substance abuse counseling services.
9. North State Legal Services: IFC plans to organize on-site consultation
at Project HomeStart.
10. Orange Congregations in Mission, Joint Orange Chatham Community
Action Agency, IFC Family Services, and the Department of Social
Services: Each agency will use existing resources to help homeless families
with start-up and emergency costs in the initial months of permanent
housing.
11. Orange Community Housing Corporation: Providing development planning
and construction technical assistance.
12. Orange County Housing/Community Development Department: Provides
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Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers to eligible families as they become
available. Waiting list priority is given to homeless families.
13. Chapel Hill Housing Department: Administers public housing with a
preference system for homeless families.
In addition, the following agencies would be vital participants in certain supportive
housing strategies according to the target population for transitional housing. They
include: Vocational Rehabilitation; Orange County Veterans Affairs Officer; Club
Nova (a subsidiary of Orange Person Chatham Mental Health providing transitional
employment); the Orange County Literacy Council, Helpline (crisis intervention).
These agencies represent the core providers of services in the community and
would be the first point of contact in developing any strategy to close any service
delivery gaps.
Permanent and Permanent Supportive Housing
Homeless families presently face many barriers to finding adequate and affordable
permanent housing in Orange County. In market rate rental housing in the Chapel
Hill/Carrboro area, families face competition with students who often pool incomes
and drive up rents. In Northern Orange County, the existing rental housing stock
is quite limited. The Project HomeStart strategy/model will help address these
barriers and complete the continuum in several ways.
A Housing Coordinator will be responsible for aiding families in the difficult task of
finding adequate, affordable, permanent housing. This person would also
coordinate with the existing subsidized housing providers to match family needs
with available resources. A unique case management system is planned which will
provide follow-up support and services to families for up to six months after they
leave the transitional housing component. It is recognized that families will need
assistance in transitioning from a highly supportive environment to one which
encourages and fosters independence.
Sources:
Emergency Family Support and Shelter Task Force. Feasibility Study, October
1994
Inter-Faith Council for Social Services, Orange/Durham Coalition for Battered
Women and Orange Community Housing Corporation. 1994 Supportive
Housing'Program Application. August 1994.
Orange County Task Force on Homeless Women and Children. Homeless
Women and Children in Orange County: A Community Report and
Recommendations, May 1993.
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20
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY
CONSOLIDATED HOUSING PLAN ANNUAL UPDATE
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 Update 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 Consolidated Plan Annual Update and to
provide such additional information as may be required by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This the 14th day of May 1996.