HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-10-2016 - 1 - Discussion of the Proposed Orange County FY 2016 - 2020 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 10, 2016
Action Agenda
Item No. 1
SUBJECT: Discussion of the Proposed Orange County FY 2016 - 2020 Affordable Housing
Strategic Plan
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights and Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
A. Comments from the Orange County Audrey Spencer-Horsley, Housing,
Housing Coalition Human Rights and Community
B. Comments from the Health Development Director, (919) 245-2492
Department
C. April 5, 2016 Board Meeting
Minutes Excerpt
D. Draft of the Executive Summary of
the Proposed Orange County 2016
— 2020 Affordable Housing
Strategic Plan
PURPOSE: To discuss the Draft of the Proposed Orange County FY 2016 - 2020 Affordable
Housing Strategic Plan.
BACKGROUND: On April 5, 2016 the Board received the Proposed 2016 — 2020 Affordable
Housing Strategic Plan (AHSP) that has been developed as the County's long-range vision for
addressing affordable housing needs over the next five (5) years. After receiving an overview of
the Plan by the Director of Housing, Human Rights and Community Development (Director) and
public comment, the Board requested that the Director conduct additional community outreach
on the AHSP prior to holding a work session planned for May 10, 2016.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on January 29, 2016 for an annual retreat. In
reviewing the previous six goals the Board has used since 2009, affordable housing was a high
priority under Goal 1: Ensure a community network of basic human services and infrastructure
that maintains, protects, and promotes the well-being of all county residents. The Board stated
that there be a priority for decent, standard housing options for all residents regardless of
household income level and that funds be used to develop a targeted number of units (set
numerical goal), especially rentals. The AHSP addresses this priority of the Board.
At the meeting of the Board on April 5th, the Director provided a summary of the needs data in
the AHSP that includes the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. The Director
provided an overview of the goals, strategies, actions and recommendations in AHSP to
address the widening gap between needs and affordable housing countywide as well as public
policies and actions affecting affordable housing in the County. The AHSP identifies goals for
the next five years, and proposes strategies and opportunities to meet those goals in
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partnership with the Towns, nonprofits, Advisory Boards and Commissions, the private sector,
faith communities, other County agencies, state and federal resources and the community at-
large.
In order to begin to meet the need for affordable housing in Orange County, particularly
residents who are most cost burdened at 30% to 50 % median income as discussed in the
AHSP, the ASHP has an overarching shared countywide goal of 1,000 affordable housing units.
The shared countywide goal of 1,000 units are to be provided through acquisition, construction,
urgent repair, assisted housing, and rehabilitation of the existing housing stock over the next five
(5) years. At least 500 of the units are recommended to be new assisted rental units through
the leveraging of funds from the planned November 2016 $5 million bond referendum for
affordable housing.
The priority for new rental housing would be 25 — 30% (250 — 300 units) of the units serving
extremely and very low income households, at or below 30% — 50 % of median income and
another 25 - 30% (250 — 300 units) serving special needs populations including the homeless,
persons with physical and or mental disabilities and the elderly. The highest priority is
recommended for these populations with the greatest hardships of cost burden and or the least
options for affordable housing. The remaining 40 — 50 % (400 — 500) units would serve
individuals and households that are at or below 50 - 80% of median income for the County.
The AHSP has identified ten goals with strategies provided for each goal and action and
recommendations to implement them. The thirty three: Actions (A)/Recommendations(R) are
listed with each goal and set of strategies. Those numbered with (AR) are
Actions/Recommendations staff is requesting to pursue immediately and or require funding
decisions. With the Board's approval of the AHSP, staff will bring back to the Board detailed
work plans and metrics in collaboration with community and municipal partners and County
agencies.
The AHSP builds on the analyses, data, community-wide input, findings and strategies in the
Orange County Consolidated Plan and the Analysis of Impediments to fair housing choice
prepared for the Orange County HOME Consortium that is comprised of Orange County and the
Town of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Hillsborough. The AHSP also included
review and consideration of existing affordable housing plans of the Towns and studies and
plans of County Advisory Boards and Commissions. This included the County's Comprehensive
Plan and Unified Development Ordinance, Aging Plan and Plan of the Partnership to End
Homelessness among numerous other plans and studies on affordable housing in the County,
region and nationally that have been prepared recently and over the years. What has been the
consistent story is the need is great and immediate and the lack of affordable housing has
continued to worsen over the years.
The AHSP identifies the critical need for affordable housing for individuals and households of
extremely and very low income and for population groups with special needs including the
homeless, persons with physical and or mental disabilities and the elderly. The AHSP reviewed
existing affordable housing programs and tools of the County and covers an assessment of the
County's housing stock. This included examining mobile home parks of the County, a source of
affordable housing; publicly owned land and other development opportunities; and challenges
for preserving and increasing the supply of affordable housing given the County's existing and
planned infrastructure and access to transportation, employment, services and other community
assets.
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The Executive Summary including goals, strategies and action/recommendations are attached.
The link to the entire draft AHSP document is:
www.orangecountync.gov/draftahsp.pdf
As requested by the Board, additional community meetings and outreach have been conducted
with nonprofit providers, various County Boards and Commissions, community organizations
and residents in need of decent, sound affordable housing. This outreach provided an
additional opportunity for the public, various agencies and other interested parties to have
further input into the AHSP and comment on the goals, strategies and actions and
recommendations. Community meetings among other opportunities to receive public comment
included the following:
• Community Meeting - March 29, 2016, 6:00 PM, Whitted Building
• State of the Community Report and Conversations, Housing Breakout Sessions (2), April
5, 2016, 7:30 AM, sponsored by the Triangle Community Foundation in partnership with
the Chapel Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, UNC Friday Center, Chapel Hill
• Board of Commissioners Meeting - April 5, 2016, 7:00 PM, Whitted Building
• Partnership to End Homelessness - April 6, 2016, 5:30 PM, Southern Human Services
Center (SHSC)
• Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition - April 8, 2016, 9:30 AM, 88 Vilcom Center
Dr., #L110, Chapel Hill
• Human Relations Commission -April 11, 2016, 6:00 PM, SHSC
• Affordable Housing Advisory Board -April 12, 2016, 6:00 PM, SHSC
• Housing Choice Voucher Resident Advisory Group, Community Empowerment Fund -
April 13, 2016, 5:30 PM, 108 W. Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill
• N.C. Cooperative Extension, Nutrition Program Class (Hispanic/Latino Community)/April
19, 2016, Hillsborough
• Orange County Housing Authority, April 20, 2016, 6:00 PM, SHSC
• Orange County Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) Affordability Outreach Partners
Meeting (Nonprofits and Town Representatives), April 22, 2016, 11:30 AM, Community
Room, 400 Jones Ferry Rd., Carrboro
• Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association/Unity Board Working Group - As requested
via email April 27, 2016 a summary from draft document preparing to present soon.
• El Centro Hispano - Durham Tech ESL Class (2nd Group Requested) - 7:00 PM, April
28, 2016, 201 W. Weaver St., Carrboro
• Orange County Department on Aging, Seniors Spanish Social Club - April 28, 2016,
Seymour Center, Chapel Hill, NC
• Karen Community - April 29, 2016, 5:00 PM, Carrboro United Methodist Church,
Community Center, 200 Hillsborough Rd., Carrboro
• Affordable housing presentation on Orange County by graduate students of the
Department of City and Regional Planning at UNC-Chapel Hill with representatives from
the Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Orange County Housing Authority and
Department staff, May 2, 2016, Whitted
• Cedar Grove Community Meeting - May 2, 2016, 6:00 PM, Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, 5124
NC Highway 86 N, Hillsborough
• Orange County Planning Board - May 4, 2016, 7:00 PM, West Campus, Hillsborough
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• Orange County Department on Aging, Graduates of Project EngAGE, May 5, 2016,
Passmore Center (Central), Hillsborough
• Efland Community — May 9, 2016, 6:00 PM, Efland Ruritan Building, 3009 Forest Ave,
Efland
• Orange County Advisory Board on Aging, May 10, 2016, Passmore Center (Central),
Hillsborough
A summary of the comments from these meetings will be presented at the Board's Work
Session on May 10th. Written comments received are attached and include the meeting
summary from the County Clerk for the Board's April 5, 2016 meeting; comments from
the Orange County Housing Coalition and from the Health Department. It should also be
noted that a Disability Awareness Council Meeting was scheduled for April 22, 2016, 1:30
PM during their conference, but cancelled due to the leader of the group requiring
unexpected surgery.
The Proposed AHSP and community comments received are scheduled to be discussed at the
Work Session of the Board on May 10th at SHSC.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact regarding the discussion of the Proposed
2016— 2020 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this agenda item:
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for
residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
The creation and preservation of affordable housing options helps to meet a basic need and
advances economic self-sufficiency.
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
Affordable housing options allow individuals to reduce risks associated with being unhoused.
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic
background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board consider the comments
provided, discuss the Proposed 2016 — 2020 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan and provide
direction to staff to provide the final AHSP.
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Attachment A
May 3, 2016
Dear Board of County Commissioners,
On behalf of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition (OCAHC), I would like to express
our appreciation to the Board of County Commissioners and staff for the opportunity to provide
comments on the Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. Audrey Spencer-Horsley met with
the Coalition on April 8th to answer questions about the plan, and encouraged us to submit our
comments in writing prior to the May 10 work session. The comments below reflect the
experience and expertise of the members of the Coalition, who together have decades of
experience in the affordable housing arena, and who are deeply committed to working together
toward an Orange County where everyone has a decent, affordable place to live.
We are grateful to the staff for the work that went into the creation of this plan. We applaud the
focus that the commissioners and staff are placing on the critical and growing need for more
affordable housing in our community. The plan sets an ambitious goal of 1000 units of
affordable housing over five years, and presents a broad range of needs and strategies. We
support such an ambitious goal wholeheartedly. We feel the next step is to distil down the
broad goals and strategies into a concise, specific, actionable plan that prioritizes goals and
includes site specific strategies, budgets, sources of resources, and timelines. We recommend
that this implementation plan be created through a truly collaborative process . The Coalition
has suggested to Ms. Horsley that the process could be modeled on the Town of Chapel Hill's
Mayor's Task Force on Affordable Rental Housing, which utilized community collaboration to
produce an actionable plan within a short time frame.
Below are some specific comments and concerns in regards to the 2016-2020 Draft Affordable
Housing Strategic Plan.
1. The plan should clarify that affordable units in the pipeline, but not yet funded, will count
toward the overall goal of 1,000 units. Also, the language describing the composition of
the 1,000 units is somewhat confusing in terms of the overlap of income and other
designations (seniors, special needs, etc.).
2. We suggest that the plan clearly show how the data supports each of its goals and
strategies. The format of the plan, with the data listed separately, makes it difficult to
see how the goals and strategies were derived from and relate to the data. For
example, there is no analysis of the housing needs of people experiencing or at risk of
homelessness and no information about the current inventory and unmet need for
housing for this population, including permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing,
affordable rental housing, and emergency shelter. AR16.2 states a Domestic Violence
shelter should be created; there is no supporting evidence this is the greatest need or
most effective use of resources.
3. The plan should reference goals in existing plans of the other jurisdictions, such as
Carrboro's Affordable Housing Strategy Report, the Chapel Hill's Affordable Housing and
Affordable Rental Housing Strategies, and the Partnership to End Homelessness' Plan
to End Homelessness.
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4. The plan should reference the Greene Tract as a future site for affordable housing, and
the opportunity it offers for collaborative development with the other jurisdictions and
affordable housing community partners.
5. We would like to emphasize the importance of the Action/Recommendations under Goal
9 of the plan. Without a reliable source of funding for affordable housing, it will be
impossible to approach the overarching goal of 1,000 units. Partnering with community
and municipal partners will leverage additional resources and increase the efficient use
of funds.
6. The plan recommends that the County expand its current Urgent Repair and other repair
programs. We agree that there should be a significant expansion of existing repair
programs, but believe that there should be thoughtful consideration of how best to
maximize the resources for repairs through increased collaboration with non-profits
already actively engaged in repair programs. It is likely that resources could be used
more efficiently and stretched further by partnering with those programs, which are able
to leverage outside dollars and volunteers,
7. The plan recommends that the County Housing Authority manage and maintain county-
owned affordable housing inventory. We recommend that rather than creating an
entirely new capacity within the Orange County Housing Authority, the County negotiate
with a range of affordable housing providers in the County, to manage and maintain
affordable housing inventory owned by the County. A range of affordable housing
providers exist in our County with the capacity, knowledge, databases, application
processes, and skillset to maintain and manage affordable rental housing inventory,
some of whom are actively seeking opportunities to build new units in Orange County.
Other possible providers include both current governmental and non-governmental
affordable housing development managers. In short, we recommend not adding new
functions in property management that could be met by other community resources
more efficiently and in a more community-based manner.
8. We recommend revising NR 13 to read as follows: Expand resources to recruit and
retain providers of rental housing for the Housing Choice Voucher program, permanent
supportive hosing, rapid re-housing, and veteran housing programs. Assess operational,
administrative, and programmatic changes that can improve landlord satisfaction with
engagement with these subsidy programs, and dedicate resources to these
improvements.
The lack of landlords and property managers accepting housing subsidies in Orange
County is a dire situation for beneficiaries. This challenge leads to an overall greater
deficit in the affordable housing supply in our community. This recommended change in
the plan emphasizes the magnitude of this problem.
9. Under Goal 3, we recommend adding a new Action/Recommendation:
Incorporate a preference for homelessness status in the review and approval process for
new recipients of Housing Choice Vouchers. One other strategy to support the local
Continuum of Care's efforts to house families who are homeless is to leverage to a
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greater extent the existing resources in our community to serve this goal. This includes
the Housing Choice Voucher program. While other preferences would certainly remain a
part of the determination (whether those pertain to domestic violence, disability status, or
income), adding and tracking a preference for homelessness would be a valuable
contribution from the Housing Department in addressing homelessness issues. (Since
2013, HUD has directed PHAs and CoCs to work in partnership to prevent and end
homelessness: https://www.hudexchange.info/news/resources-for-coc-and-pha-
collaboration-to-end-homelessness/. Establishing a homeless preference can be a
concrete step to solidify our common goals.)
10. For AR1, we suggest including a sentence that allows consideration of denser
developments on the right site, even if it is a small site.
11. For AR2, we suggest that proposals be evaluated and scored by Orange County staff
before being passed on to Advisory boards to review and make funding
recommendations to the BOCC. This is a lesson learned from members' experience on
the Town of Chapel Hill's Housing Advisory Board, which makes recommendations for
funding from the Town's Affordable Housing Reserve.
12. We strongly support Goal 10, and suggest a comprehensive, county-wide approach that
determines how we can best use our assets and tools to address our needs instead of
adopting a piecemeal approach. We encourage the creation of an intergovernmental
group with all town managers and planning staff to coordinate funding efforts and
projects. We should not have three or four similar, but differing governmental strategies
to address affordable housing challenges within the County
Again, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide input, and happy to provide additional
clarification to any of the above comments and suggestions. We look forward to hearing the
discussion about the plan at the May 10 work session.
In partnership,
Susan Levy, Chair
On behalf of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition
The following individuals and organizations are active participants in the Orange County Affordable
Housing Coalition.
• Delores Bailey (EmPOWERment Inc.)
• Nate Broman-Fulks (Town of Carrboro)
• Robert Dowling (Community Home Trust)
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• Liz Evans (Weaver Community Housing Association & Just Housing)
• Jesse Gibson (Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP)
• Dan Levine (Self-Help)
• Susan Levy (Habitat for Humanity of Orange County)
• Sarah Osmer Vinas (Town of Chapel Hill)
• Jamie Rohe ( Affordable Housing Advocate and Volunteer)
• Corey Root (Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness
• Allan Rosen (Inter-Faith Council for Social Service)
• Devin Ross (Justice United)
• Mary Jean Seyda (CASA)
• James Stroud (Centre for Homeownership & Economic Development)
• Hudson Vaughan (The Jackson Center)
• Tina Vaughn (Chapel Hill Department of Housing)
• Maggie West (Community Empowerment Fund)
Attachment B 9
Suggestion #1: Include background information on public health hazards of
secondhand smoke in multi-unit housing and commit to providing housing free
of secondhand smoke.
Include Background Info on Secondhand Smoke: In terms of housing and health, secondhand smoke is
an important issue because of the fire safety risk (smoking-related fires are the number one cause of
fatal home fires), health (due to exposure from neighboring units), and to minimize maintenance costs
when turnover occurs. Specifically, secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma and other
respiratory diseases for children — diseases that disproportionately affect low-income families. Asthma
is one of the top reasons why children miss school, depriving them of precious learning time.
Secondhand smoke is a known trigger for asthma, which can lead to expensive emergency room visits —
a financial burden on parents already coping with the emotional toll of caring for their sick child (CDC.
Asthma: Common Asthma Triggers). In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke can cause sudden
infant death syndrome and respiratory symptoms such as cough and wheeze, middle ear infections, and
slowed lung growth and reduced lung function in children, and increased risk of stroke in adults (US
DHHS, Surgeon General Report, 2006).
Children in Orange County are exposed to secondhand smoke in rental housing. More than 1 in 3
nonsmokers who live in rental housing in the U.S. are exposed to secondhand smoke, and 2 out of every
5 children (including 7 out of 10 African American children) are exposed involuntarily to secondhand
smoke through their housing (CDC 2015 Vital Signs report). In our region of North Carolina, 1 out of 10
residents smelled secondhand smoke drifting into their home in the past seven days (NC BRFSS, 2014).
In North Carolina, there is a significant disparity in exposure to secondhand smoke inside a person's
home drifting in from a neighboring apartment or outside by income, education level, and
race/ethnicity. In nearly all categories, the rates are two to three times higher for those who are poor,
less educated, and Black (vs. White), with the largest disparity seen based on income:
Black(non-Hispanic) 15.8% vs. White (non-Hispanic) 8.6%
Less than High School 14.4% vs. College Graduate 7.0%
Income<$15,000 18.8% vs. Income of$75,000+5.3%
Source: NC BRFSS(2014) http://www.schs.state.nc.us/data/brfss/2014/nc/all/outside.html
Because current air filtration systems do not filter out the harmful elements of secondhand smoke, a
smoke-free policy is the best way to protect children, people with asthma, and others vulnerable
populations to the effects of secondhand smoke.
Suggested Strategy Edit: Goal 1. 1.10: Improve the public infrastructure through rehabilitation,
reconstruction, and new construction that will facilitate affordable housing and economic development.
Consistent with the requirement of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, require that any new
construction or renovation be smoke free. (Reference:http://www.njgasp.orq/wp-
content/uploads/2015/05/NCAH-News-Release-Smokefree-Housing-Finance-Tax-Credits.pd f)
Suggested Action/Recommendation Edit: Goal 1. AR: Require that any multi-family housing units
developed on county or other publically owned property, or with support from county funds, be
required to have a smoke-free policy consistent with that required by the North Carolina Affordable
Housing Finance Agency to receive tax credits.
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Suggestion #2: Ensure that undocumented immigrants, especially those who
have Limited English Proficiency (LEP), are aware of their rights and
responsibilities as renters.
Comment:Support for Limited English Proficiency residents is mentioned in the Fact Sheet on the LEP
Program, but the text of the AHSP does not identify the barriers they may face in securing and
maintaining safe, decent and affordable housing. There is also no mention of immigration
documentation status as a barrier to safe, decent, and affordable housing, although fears related to
retaliation likely drive the housing standards and affordability down for this population.
Include Background Info on Undocumented Immigrants &Housing: For some undocumented
immigrants, lack of credit or rental history in the U.S. and not having a Social Security number or U.S.-
issued identification may prevent them from finding affordable housing, even if the law does not require
renters to have that documentation. Once they secure housing, the housing may not be maintained to
the minimum standards,with landlords not doing necessary repairs, reporting immigrants to law
enforcement for minor problems, or unfairly withholding deposits or charging additional fees. In
addition, language barriers and sometimes low literacy levels can be causes of discrimination and can
introduce challenges in securing safe, decent and affordable housing.
Tenants, especially those with limited English Proficiency, may be unaware of their rights and
responsibilities, fearing retaliation or other negative consequences if they complain to the landlord or to
local code enforcement.
(See Advocates for Human Rights, Moving from Exclusion to Belonging, Chapter 5 Housing—available
at: http://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/uploads/chapter 5 housing.pdf)
Suggested Strategy Edit: Goal 3. 3.5: Ensure low literacy resources on tenant rights and responsibilities
are available in appropriate languages, such as Spanish, Karen, and Burmese, and are proactively
distributed through community partners.
Suggested Action: Review current data on LEP population's housing challenges, conduct needs
assessment, and provide linguistically-accessible community-based classes to immigrant and refugee
groups to inform of rights and responsibilities.
Questions re LEP Program: Page 157 in the AHSP- What is the LEP program? Have they had any
housing-specific accomplishments?
Minor edits
• Page 157 should say"residents" not"citizens" since many of our LEP and immigrant OC
residents are not technically citizens
• Table of Contents—Typo in "Executive" Summary
Suggestion #3: Goal 2. AR12: Include the Board of Health and Family Success
Alliance Advisory Council among those groups who will be engaged in
developing the guiding principles, general guidelines, and/or design
criteria/considerations.
Attachment C 11
Excerpt from April 5'2016 BOCC meeting
F. Proposed Orange County FY 2016 -2020 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
The Board received the Draft of the Proposed Orange County FY 2016- 2020 Affordable
Housing Strategic Plan.
Bonnie Hammersley said the objective this evening is to do an overview of the
presentation, and a more in depth conversation will occur at the work session on May 10.
Audrey Spencer Horsley, Housing, Human Rights, Community Development Director,
reviewed the following information:
PURPOSE: To receive the Draft of the Proposed Orange County FY 2016- 2020 Affordable
Housing Strategic Plan.
BACKGROUND: This Proposed 2016— 2020 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (AHSP) has
been developed as the County's vision for addressing affordable housing needs over the next
five (5) years. Affordable housing is a foundation for achieving self-sufficiency and promotes
stronger, more inclusive communities.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met on January 29, 2016 for an annual retreat. In
reviewing the previous six goals the Board has used since 2009, affordable housing was a high
priority under Goal 1: Ensure a community network of basic human services and infrastructure
that maintains, protects, and promotes the well-being of all county residents. The Board stated
that there be a priority for decent, standard housing options for all residents regardless of
household income level and that funds be used to develop a targeted number of units (set
numerical goal), especially rentals. The AHSP addresses this priority of the Board.
The AHSP analyzes the current rental and homeowner housing market, examines housing
market trends and economic trends, specifically in relation to household income and identifies
the widening gap between needs and affordable housing countywide as well as public policies
and actions affecting affordable housing in the County. The AHSP identifies goals for the next
five years, and proposes strategies and opportunities to meet those goals.
In order to begin to meet the need for affordable housing in Orange County, particularly
residents who are most cost burdened at 30% to 50 % median income as discussed in the
AHSP, the ASHP has an overarching shared countywide goal of creating 1,000 assisted
affordable housing units in five years. The shared countywide goal of 1,000 assisted units are
to be provided through acquisition, construction, urgent repair, assisted housing, and
rehabilitation of the existing housing stock over the next five (5) years.
At least 500 of those units are recommended to be new assisted rental units that do not exist
today. They would be created through the planned November 2016 $5 million bond referendum
for affordable housing. Of those 500 new units, twenty-five to thirty percent (25%-30%) will be
targeted to serve extremely and very low-income households, at or below 30% —50% of median
income. Another twenty-five to thirty percent (25%-30%) of the new units would be targeted to
serve special needs populations including the homeless, persons with physical and/or mental
disabilities and older adults. The remaining 500 units would be units provided for individuals
and households that are at or below 50-80% of median income for the County and would
include rental and homeownership units.
The AHSP has identified ten goals with strategies provided for each goal and action and
recommendations to implement them. The thirty-three: Actions (A)/Recommendations(R) are
listed with each goal and set of strategies. Those numbered with (AR) are
Actions/Recommendations staff is requesting to pursue immediately and or require funding
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Excerpt from April 5'2016 BOCC meeting
decisions. With the Board's approval of the AHSP, staff will bring back to the Board detailed
work plans and metrics in collaboration with community and municipal partners and County
agencies.
The ASHP builds on the analyses, data, community-wide input, findings and strategies in the
Orange County Consolidated Plan and the Analysis of Impediments to fair housing choice
prepared for the Orange County HOME Consortium that is comprised of Orange County and the
Town of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Hillsborough. The AHSP identifies the
critical need for affordable housing for individuals and households of extremely and very low
income and for population groups with special needs including the homeless, persons with
physical and or mental disabilities and the elderly.
The AHSP reviewed existing affordable housing programs and tools of the County and covers
an assessment of the county's housing stock. This included examining mobile home parks of
the County, a source of affordable housing; publicly owned land and other development
opportunities; and challenges for preserving and increasing the supply of affordable housing
given the County's existing and planned infrastructure and access to transportation,
employment, services and other community assets.
Community meetings and outreach have been planned with nonprofit providers and various
community organizations. This provides an additional opportunity for the public, various
agencies and other interested parties to have further input into the AHSP and comment on the
goals, strategies and actions and recommendations.
Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated the target numbers. He asked if 500 of the
targeted housing units are going to be new rental units, which do not currently exist. He asked if
these estimated numbers are starting from scratch or adding to an existing pool on affordable
rental properties.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said the current inventory is a rough estimate, as of now. She
counted units where she knew she was not double counting. She said the goal is to look at
everything that has been funded by Orange County.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said to date there are 560 housing choice vouchers units, and
are not currently maxed out on the number of units where federal
Y assistance could be received.
She said some of the goals are to incentivize the housing choice program, determine how to
bring on more stock, and to help some participants to become homeowners. She said the
maximum number of units is 623. She said there are also 449 low-income, tax credit properties,
214 rental units and 299 homeowner units assisted through the Home program.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said 177 units were completed through the bond of 1997, and
there is a conservative estimate of 175 units completed through the bond of 2001. She said
there are approximately 2000 assisted units, and 550-600 units on homeowner side. She said
there have also been approximately 400 homeowner urgent repairs.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said it is important to keep an eye on those renting private
housing stock, as some of these can be affordable due to age or necessary updates. She said
there may be owners willing to sell rather than upgrade themselves, which may be a way to
keep renters in their homes.
Audrey Spencer Horsley reviewed a listing of upcoming community meetings. She said
the goal of these meetings is to inform as many members of the community as possible.
Commissioner Price asked if mobile homes were being counted.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said mobile homes are counted in the overall housing stock,
and there is no differentiation between rentals and owned.
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Excerpt from April 5'2016 BOCC meeting
ORANGE COUNTY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN
Board of Orange County Commissioners
Presentation
March 22, 2016
AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN
• County's long-range vision for addressing affordable housing needs over the next five
(5) years.
• AHSP analyzes the current housing market, examines trends in the housing market
economic opportunities of Orange County
• Identifies shortcomings in affordable housing countywide and proposes strategies to
meet those goals.
1,000 Units in Five Years
• Create 1,000 Affordable Housing Units in Five Years:
o 250 units —targeted for very low income individuals and household
o 250 units —targeted for special needs populations
o 500 units —targeted for 50% to 80% median income
o Countywide shared goal
o Acquisition, construction, urgent repair, assisted housing, and rehabilitation
Goal 1: Continuum of Affordable Housing —Action Recommendations
• AR1: Publicly Owned Small Parcel Development
• AR2: Development and Maintenance of Inventory
• AR3: Housing Authority as Property Manager
• AR4: Design Competition for larger scale development
• ARE: Preserve inventory of mobile homes
• AR11: Community plan for housing emergencies; coordinated intake for homeless
seeking services
Goal 2: Increase Housing and Employment, Reduce Poverty
• AR12: Strengthen interagency collaboration and draw on existing expertise and
capacity to implement the Strategic Plan
o Family Success Alliance
o Master Aging Plan
o Partnership to End Homelessness
o Advisory Boards and Commissions
o Housing Authority
o Municipal Partners
Goal 3: Provide housing and services to populations with special needs
• AR16: Address unmet community housing needs in collaboration with partners
o Emergency shelter for individuals and families
o Domestic violence shelter
o More permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities and young people
experiencing homelessness
Goal 4: Provide adequate supply of housing options for older residents
14
Excerpt from April 5'2016 BOCC meeting
• AR 19: Expand the Urgent Repair Program to serve 25 additional older residents or
people with disabilities
o Add $150,000 to $200,000 to current budget
o Eliminate the current waiting list
Goal 5: Preserve current supply of rental housing and prevent future loss
• AR 21: Increase funding available for housing rehabilitation projects
o Leverage maximum funding through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
o Add $200,000 to $250,000 in County funding for older housing rehabilitation — an
additional seven homes annually.
Goal 6: Improve knowledge of fair housing laws and regulations
• A 23: Strengthen education and outreach programs
o Fair Housing Act
o Orange County Human Relations Ordinance
Goal 7: Access to job opportunities and skill development
• AR 24: Study, plan and develop bus routes or other public transportation alternatives
o Access to business nodes for employment
o Access to job training and other supportive services and community amenities
Goal 8: Provide staffing to deliver high quality housing services
• AR 25: Provide leadership and support to community partners to implement the
strategic plan
o Continue broad community/stakeholder involvement
• AR 25: Continue to strengthen internal management of affordable housing programs
and services
o Including cooperation and support of other agencies
• Track and report on implementation of the strategic plan to the Board of County
Commissioners and community partners
Goal 9: Identify resources to help meet the needs identified in the plan
• AR28: Identify a dedicated source of funding and a plan of implementation
• AR29: Maintain a set aside of funding for land banking and property acquisition
• AR30: Partner with community and municipal partners on projects, grant applications
• AR31: Support opportunities to partner with community and municipal partners on
implementing strategies
Goal 10: Encourage and support intergovernmental cooperation
• AR32: Continue joint planning efforts related to outside funding opportunities
• AR33: Collaborate and exchange information with municipalities on affordable housing
issues
o Funding
o Planning
o Training
o Problem solving
o Civic engagement
o Building community partnerships
15
Excerpt from April 5'2016 BOCC meeting
Commissioner Rich referred to goals 30 and 31 and asked if conversations with
municipal partners have started and how the partnerships are taking shape.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said one-on-one conversations have been occurring. She gave
the example of doing outreach with non-profits. She said four non-profits responded to their
questionnaire, which provided an overview of the strategic plans of these non-profits, and can in
turn allow all to be more effective partners.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said meetings with Chapel Hill Housing staff have also
occurred.
Commissioner Rich said this should be a countywide effort including the municipalities
and not everyone acting in silos.
Commissioner Jacobs said determining mobile home ownership versus renters is
important information in order to be able to better plan going forward
with the affordable housing
plan.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said gathering this information will require a more intensive
study which she hopes to accomplish at a later date.
Bonnie Hammersley said mobile homes are being reviewed through the tax office and
she hopes to have these figures for the May 10 work session.
Commissioner Jacobs referred to the fifth bullet point, on page 13 of document, and
asked if the term "white" could be clarified, as the statistic seems to be inaccurate.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said the households that were identified as white represent the
largest percentage of ownership in that group.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if this information could be provided for all ethnicities.
Commissioner Jacobs said Mebane is building much more housing than Orange County,
and it would be worth reviewing what kind of housing stock is in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
(ETJ) of Mebane.
Commissioner Price asked if in planning for these 1000 units, is it being considered that
some people living in mobile homes may want to move out into a stick built home.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said it is important to know what the property owner's intent is.
Commissioner Price said to include these types of people in the calculations.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Robert Dowling thanked the Board of Commissioners for their long-standing commitment
to affordable housing. He commended Audrey Spencer Horsley for this strategic plan.
He said the plan would benefit from better focus, perhaps reducing it to 6-8 priorities. He said
affordable housing is a priority for all the other local municipalities, and they have provided
funding for their own strategic plans. He said all assets should be leveraged together for
maximized impact. He said this effort is working against the tide and a group effort is essential.
Robert Dowling said the plan should recognize projects that are already in place or
forthcoming.
Chair McKee said this plan is a beginning point and it is being reviewed and defined. He
said the Board committed to being on the same page as other governmental entities.
Dan Levine said he is active with the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition. He
said he and others are here to thank the Board of County Commissioners for their commitment
to affordable housing in Orange County and the funding through a bond. He also commended
Audrey Spencer Horsley for this draft plan. He said they are here as a resource for Orange
County.
Doris Bailey thanked Audrey Spencer Horsley and the Board of County Commissioners
for realizing the need for affordable housing, especially for rental units.
Commissioner Price said there are a lot of community meetings upcoming, but none of
them are north of Highway 70. She asked if it would be possible to add a meeting in Cedar
Grove.
16
Excerpt from April 5'2016 BOCC meeting
Audrey Spencer Horsley said yes.
Commissioner Pelissier referred to the issue of affordability, and said people are looking
at both housing and transportation combined being 45% of their household income. She said
as this plan moves forward, to consider transportation as a real part of the equation.
Commissioner Burroughs said she liked the set goals, and Audrey Spencer Horsley's
explanation of where the 1000 units are coming from. She appreciated the balance between
ownership and rental.
Commissioner Burroughs said mobile homes are a good source of affordable housing,
but there needs to be a clear emergency service plan for those in mobile home parks.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said locating a community center near such communities is one
option.
Commissioner Rich asked if a timeline for discussion of costs for the plan is known. She
said she would like to look at this in a broader time frame, such as 5 or 10 years.
Bonnie Hammersley said this plan is broad so the Board could prioritize the options,
knowing that all cannot be completed in one year. She said the plan over five years can be
determined and the funding then allocated to accomplish the plan.
Commissioner Rich said how does this plan work given the Board's commitment to
giving non-profits more funding, and asked if these funds will be in addition to this.
Bonnie Hammersley said this $1 million will be part of the operating budget this year, per
the BOCC direction. She said the County currently spends $800,000, and the $1 million
includes the additional $200,000 that the Board of County Commissioners approved last year.
Commissioner Rich asked if the extra $200,000 will be distributed in a particular way.
Bonnie Hammersley said those decisions are at the Board's discretion.
Commissioner Rich said additional outside agency funding would not be affected by
these funds.
Bonnie Hammersley said yes.
Commissioner Jacobs listed things he wanted more information on or wanted to
highlight:
• Orange County Housing Authority— he does not know their capabilities, and he would
like some information about Audrey Spencer Horsley's vision of this group's
participation;
• Incentives — break them out in detail, and show how more incentives can be provided;
• Units— he said would like to talk about the type of units, not just the quantity;
• The 120 acres on the Greene Tract was not mentioned;
• Urgent home repairs— he is glad this was included;
• Suggestion to have some standards for those units being funded by the County, such as
handicapped accessible; and
• A mobile home strategy is needed.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said the Greene Tract is included in large-scale development.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said the plan is a framework. She said when the BOCC
prioritizes the goals and strategies, the discussion can go deeper into many of these phases
and issues.
Commissioner Dorosin referred to the proposed mobile home strategy, and said the
impetus for what he brought forward came from talking to people living in these mobile homes
who are facing challenges. He said a strategy will not come to pass until there is a level of
engagement with the actual renters or homeowners.
Commissioner Dorosin said the issue is how to actualize the overall plan and what can
be accomplished based on needs, costs and maximizing expenses.
17
Excerpt from April 5'2016 BOCC meeting
Commissioner Dorosin highlighted in the report the relationship of fair housing and racial
and ethnic diversity in the context of affordable housing.
Commissioner Dorosin said he sees the future of the Orange County Housing Authority
to be like the Chapel Hill Housing Authority: a government agency managing rental housing,
and a quasi-department of the County.
Commissioner Rich referred to Hispanic families and asked if documented residents,
undocumented residents, or both are being considered.
Commissioner Dorosin said these numbers probably include both documented and
undocumented residents and are most likely understated.
Commissioner Price said many departments in Orange County support both
documented and undocumented residents.
Commissioner Dorosin said housing funding may be different in this regard.
Chair McKee asked John Roberts to research this question and to bring an answer back
to the BOCC.
Chair McKee referred to the Eno Haven project and said whatever action is taken, it is
important not to isolate this community, and create a perceived low-income neighborhood. He
said he supports lifting people, not isolating them.
Chair McKee referred to goal number 5, funding available for housing rehabilitation
projects, and advocated an increase in this amount, as people like to stay in their homes.
Chair McKee said it is important for all numbers to align, across the County, Towns,
agencies, etc.
Audrey Spencer Horsley said the numbers may not perfectly align, but the overall trends
that the numbers show do align.
Commissioner Price said when it comes to this type of data, certain programs use just
census data and more local entities use different sources for data.
Audrey Spencer Horsley referred to the existing minimum housing standards and said
there is no way to enforce them. She encouraged the Board to think about this going forward,
as it is important.
Attachment D 18
Orange County, North Carolina
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Every resident of Orange County, North Carolina deserves a decent, safe, sound and
affordable place to live, in a neighborhood that provides opportunities to succeed.
The market alone is not always able to meet that need, and, accordingly,
governments at all levels must work together to help. Orange County's shortage of
affordable housing has reached a crisis. Much of the housing in Orange County is
not affordable to low- and moderate-income households and working families who
are oftentimes cost burdened by 30% or more in their housing costs.
This Orange County Affordable Housing Strategic Plan: 2016 -2020 (AHSP) has
been developed as the County's long-range vision for addressing affordable housing
needs over the next five (5) years. The AHSP analyzes the current housing market,
examines trends in the housing market economic opportunities of Orange County,
identifies shortcomings in affordable housing countywide, determines goals for the
next five years, and proposes strategies to meet those goals.
The AHSP focuses on the status and interaction of four (4) fundamental conditions
within the community:
o The rental and homeowner housing market;
o Economic trends, specifically in terms of household income;
o The provision of financial assistance for dwellings;
o Public policies and actions affecting affordable housing;
The methodology employed to undertake the AHSP includes:
• Research
Demographic data for the County for purposes of analysis included:
o the U.S. Census, American Community Survey and the HUD
Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) data and tables
and other federal and state programs and local data sources
o A review of the affordable housing objectives and policies of Orange
County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough
o A review of local real estate and mortgage practices
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
19
Orange County, North Carolina
• Interviews & Meetings
o Meetings and/or interviews were conducted with County Staff,
representatives from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, public
housing providers in Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill,
community and social service/advocacy agencies for the disabled,
housing providers, the local Board of Realtors, and home builders.
Because this analysis involves four entities, data will be presented in the following
order when available: Orange County (or Durham-Chapel Hill, NC MSA where
appropriate), the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, and finally the Town of
Hillsborough (see the map on the following page, Municipalities of Orange County,
NC). This AHSP provides an broad view of the County and affordable housing needs
and related strategies and recommendations recognizing that actions in one area
may affect the actions in the other areas requiring on going collaboration and
engagement of the community, affordable housing providers and municipal partners.
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
20
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ORANGE COUN I
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
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Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
21
Orange County, North Carolina
B. COUNTY GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners adopted the
following five County Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2009 and has
reaffirmed them through to 2016. While this AHSP most specifically
addresses Goal One, it connects to and supports each of these five goals.
Goal One: Ensure a community network of basic human services and
infrastructure that maintains, protects and promotes the well-being
of all County residents.
Goal Two: Promote an interactive and transparent system of
governance that reflects community values.
Goal Three: Implement planning and economic development policies
which create a balanced, dynamic local economy, and which
promote diversity, sustainable growth and enhanced revenue while
embracing community values.
Goal Four: Invest in quality County facilities, a diverse work force,
and technology to achieve a high performing County government.\
Goal Five: Create, preserve, and protect a natural environment that
includes
clean water, clean air, wildlife, important natural lands and
sustainable energy for present and future generations.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) met on January 29,
2016 for an annual retreat. In reviewing the five county goals of the
BOCC above, affordable housing was a high priority under Goal 1: Ensure
a community network of basic human services and infrastructure that
maintains, protects, and promotes the well-being of all county residents.
The Board further stated that there be a priority for decent, standard
housing options for all residents regardless of household income level and
that funds be used to develop a targeted number of units (set numerical
goal), especially rentals. The AHSP addresses this priority of the Board.
C. AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS:
In developing an Affordable Housing Strategic Plan in Orange County, the
demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the County were
evaluated as a basis for determining and identifying affordable housing
issues in the County. Some of the findings as presented in the tables,
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
22
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
maps, data and analyses of the AHSP are summarized below and include
the following:
Income and Poverty
The median income for Orange County has continued to be well
above that for the state and neighboring jurisdictions. In 2011 the
median household income for Orange County was $56,055,
compared to $46,291 for North Carolina.
Based on a comparison between the 2000 Census and 2007-2011
American Community Survey estimates, Orange County's
population increased by 11.5% between 2000 and 2011. The
median household income of the area increased almost threefold
compared to the population increase, 32.3%. This indicates that a
higher percentage of higher income persons moved into the area.
Jousik, co ruction ,and existing housing
developments upgrading) has responded predominately to the
higher income market. As a result rents have continued to
climb and the number of affordable units to decline shutting
lower income households out of the market for affordable
decent, safe and sound housing.
In comparison, to an increase in median household income, nearly
forty percent (39.74%) of all residents in Orange County were
considered low- to
• moderate-income at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census. In the Town
of Chapel Hill, approximately 37.44% of the residents were
considered low- to moderate-income at the time of the 2007-2011
American Community Survey. The Town of Carrboro had a 46.07%
low- to moderate-income population percentage, while 46.43% of
the Town of Hillsborough was low- to moderate-income.
- Over fifteen percent 16.9% (20,542 individuals) of the
population in Orange County was living below the poverty
level in 2011, according to the 2007-2011 American Community
Survey. This was up from 14.1% (15,318 individuals) in 1999.
As median income has gone up so have the number of residents in
poverty and in unstable and or substandard housing; and the
number faced with the option of last result--moving out of their
community and the county for affordable housing. worse sun are
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan 5
23
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
the extremely limited to nU„-VAIJIV„L UpLIUI1J IUI LIlose
residents at risk or already experiencing homelessness.
• The County's poverty statistics for families with children are
significant, particularly for single mothers. The chart in the housing
market analysis of the AHSP illustrates the poverty statistics for
families living in Orange County. At the time of the 2007-2011
American Community Survey, the percentage of
some families with children living below the poverty level was as
follows:
• Families with related children under the age of 18 was
14.5%.
• Female-headed families with related children under the
age of 18 was 35.2%.
• Families with a householder who is White is 6.1
• Families with a householder who is Black or African
American is 20.6%.
• Families with a householder who is Asian is 15.4%.
• Families with a householder who is Hispanic or Latino is
29.4%.
• In 2011, approximately 8.7% of all families in the Town of
Chapel Hill lived below the poverty level; of the female
householders, 28.3% were below the poverty level and 30.9% of
those with children under 18 years were below poverty.
• In the Town of Carrboro, approximately 10.1% of all families
were below the poverty level; of the female head of households,
27.7% were below poverty level and 31.3% lived with related
children under 18 years.
• irn me :uwn or Hillsborough, approximately 23.7% of
families lived below the poverty level in 2011; of the female
householders, 70.3% lived below the poverty level, with
77.0% of those living with children under 18 years living
below poverty.
• There are 9.9% (5,016) of all individuals on limited incomes
from social security, supplemental social security and
public assistance.
Rental and Owner Occupied Housing Stock and Housing Costs
• According to the 2007-2011 American Community Survey, there
were 50,837 households in Orange County; compared to the 2000
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
24
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
Census that reported 45,863 households in the County. Of the
households in 2011 , 60.2% were owners and 39.8% were renters,
whereas in 2000, 57.6% were owners and 42.4% were renters;
there was a small increase in homeownership over the decade.
• Of the three jurisdictions, Hillsborough has the highest percentage
of owner-occupied units at 55% and Chapel Hill is closer to an
equal distribution between owner-occupied units at 49.1% and
50.9% respectively. Carrboro has the largest percentage of rental
housing stock, 64.5%. Hillsborough in relation to its overall housing
stock has the highest percentage of older housing, 25% built before
1960. This is more recently being balanced by new construction;
however there is still the need to improve and preserve the existing
affordable housing stock.
According to the 2007-2011 American Community Survey, there
are 55,315 housing units in Orange County, of which 50,837
(91 .9%) are occupied; this leaves a vacancy rate of 8.1% in the
County. Most )f the vacant unit. ar_ located in the
northwestern and southeastern portions of the County, and in
the central portion of Chapel Hill and most require some level
of rehabilitation. According to the U.S. Census and the
American Community Survey data, over 27% (1,209) of all
vacant units are not habitable.
The median value of owner-occupied homes in Orange County in
2000 was $179,000, compared to $108,300 for the State of North
Carolina. The median value of owner-occupied homes in Orange
County in 2011 was $270,300 compared to $152,700 for the State
of North Carolina. The values of the housing stock in Orange
County continue to be substantially higher than those of the State
of North Carolina as a whole and of neighboring jurisdictions. ne
increasing %-osr or acquiring existing properties anti land
makes land banking a valuable tool in preserving and
developing affordable housing for present and future
residents.
• Just over a quarter of all owner-occupied households (28.6%) with
a mortgage are paying over 30% of their monthly income on
housing, indicating a moderate percentage of owners whose
housing is not considered affordable. The median mortgage
expense in Orange County for 2000 was $1,333, compared to
$1,831 in 2011.
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
25
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
• Residents of Hillsborough had the lowest median monthly housing
costs among the three jurisdictions for owner-occupied units,
paying $1,383. Carrboro had the highest monthly housing cost for
homeowners of the three jurisdictions at $1,873 per month. Chapel
Hill has monthly housing costs of$1,673 per month.
• The median monthly rent in Orange County increased by
22.81% between 2000 anti 1011_ frnm R6R4 to $840_
respectively. The median monthly housing cost for Chapel Hill in
2011 was $1,095; the median monthly housing cost for Carrboro
was $885; the median monthly housing cost for Hillsborough was
$964. While rents in the past were relatively more affordable in
Hillsborough the trend is much higher increases in rent.
• The monthly housing costs for 48.2% of all renter-occupied
households in Orange County exceeded 30% of monthly
income in 2000, indicating an even higher percentage of
renters whose housing is not considered affordable. In 2011,
that amount increased to 53.8%, which is a 5.6% increase from
2000.
• According to the 2007-2011 American Community Survey (ACS)
data, there were 50,837 households in 2011 in Orange County.
Based on this data, 14,494 (28.5%) of all households were single
person households living alone.
Cost Burdened
A central housing problem facing many households in Orange
County is a lack of affordable housing and many of the County's
lower income households are paying more than 30% (cost
burdened) to more than 50% (severely cost burdened) of their total
household income on the monthly cost for housing.
According to the 2007-2011 ACS data, 44.1% of all renter
households are cost burdened by 30% or more, and 12.1% of all
owner households are cost burdened by 30% or more. In addition,
28.4% of all renter households are cost burdened by 50% or more,
and 7.7% of all owner households are cost burdened by 50% or
more. This means in whole numbers Mat . ,629 households
were cost burdened by 30% to 50%, and 8,751 households
were cost burdened by greater than 50%.
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan 8
26
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
• In Chapel Hill, 53.5% of all renter households are cost burdened by
30% or more, and 19.8% of owner-occupied households are cost
burdened by 30% or more. Additionally, 35.8% of renter
households are cost burdened by 50% or more and only 9.4% of
owner-occupied households are cost burdened by 50% or more.
• In Carrboro, 47.9% of all renter households are cost burdened by
30% or more, and 30.7% of owner-occupied households are cost
burdened by 30% or more. Additionally, 23.9% of renter
households are cost burdened by 50% or more and only 9.3% of
owner-occupied households are cost burdened by 50% or more.
• In Hillsborough, 43.4% of all renter households are cost burdened
by 30% or more, and 39.0% of owner-occupied households are
cost burdened by 30% or more. Additionally, 34.4% of renter
households are cost burdened by 50% or more and only 9.8% of
owner-occupied households are cost burdened by 50% or more.
Mobile Homes (Manufactured Housing)
• In 2000, Mobile (manufactured) homes made up 10.4% of the
housing stock; a source of affordable housing in the county.
By 2011, mobile
(manufactured) homes had decreased and make up 7.9% of
the housing stock. There was also a slight decline in multi-family
units of twenty or more units (down from 9.1% to 7.1%).
• Mobile home parks in Orange County are geographically located
throughout the entire County but most are clustered along the
major state and federal highway corridors. Approximately sixty
five (65) of the mobile home parks (65%) are located within
3,000 feet of a major roadway: Route 54; Route 86; Route 70;
Route 70A; Route 40; Route 85; and 1-85/40. The majority of
the remaining thirty-four (34) are located within one (1) mile of
these major roadways. Fifty-four (54) of the mobile homes are
located in the southern half of the county which includes the
portions of the County south of Hillsborough. There are only three
(3) mobile home parks located in the northernmost quarter of the
county.
• In January 2016, the condition of each of the 2,017 mobile homes
in the 100 mobile home parks of the County was analyzed as to the
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
27
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
scope of rehabilitation work needed to make the mobile home safe,
sound, and secure, and to bring it up to minimum code standards.
It was determined that:
• 378 (18.74%) mobile homes are in sound condition
• 990 (49.08%) mobile homes are in need of minor repairs
• 580 (28.76%) mobile homes are in need of major repairs
• 69 (3.42%) mobile homes are economically infeasible to
repair
• A total of 55 mobile home parks had vacant spaces (250
vacant spaces). Of those parks with vacancies, the average
number of vacancies is 4.6 spaces with the largest number
of vacancies at one park of 28 spaces available with room to
expand.
• According to the 2010-2014 American Community Survey, there
are an estimated 4,089 mobile homes in Orange County, 7.3% of
the total housing units. This indicates that roughly half of all mobile
homes are located outside of mobile home parks.
• The average sales price for manufactured housing also has
continued to steadily increase with the smallest unit costing
approximately $39, 500 in 2010 to $45,000 in 2014 for 1,115 sq. ft.
unit and larger units ranging from $65,300 ($45.41/sq. ft.) to
$82,000 for a 1710 sq. ft. unit ($47.95/sq. ft.). The cost and or
lack or rinancing along warn we cost or insurance makes even
this purchase difficult for low income households and has
caused this to become more of a rental o- " "
A comparison of other
manufactured housing with stick built was also examined in the
AHSP. The AHSP recommends that the county continue to pursue
ways to work with landowners and owners of individual units to
preserve and expand this stock of housing where feasible and
environmentally suitable.
Persons with Disabilities
The 2007-2011 ACS data showed the number of disabled
individuals in Orange County to be approximately 11,180 or 8.4% of
the total population over the age of 5 (126,228). This is an indicator
of the need for housing for the disabled which are mainly low- and
moderate-income, and do not have housing resources that are
accessible and/or affordable.
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan 10
28
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
• Of persons with disabilities between ages five and seventeen
(1,079), most have cognitive difficulties, followed by individuals that
have self-care difficulties.
• Of persons with disabilities between ages eighteen to sixty-four
(6,326), the disabilities for high numbers of persons span the range
of difficulties including difficulty with independent living.
• Of the population age 65 and older (12,749), 29.6% (3,775) have
a disability that also span a range of difficulties including
hearing, cognitive, ambulatory and vision among other
difficulties.
Housing Needs of Seniors
More affordable housing options for seniors are also greatly
needed. In sum, to serve a county with 22,123 residents over 60
years of age Orange County has approximately 1,534 designated
senior-specific housing units across the continuum of care.
Furth, t is most often the case that for each type of current
housing option for seniors, there are few to no vacancies
(waiting lists from one to several years) despite costs that
would be out of reach for many seniors.
• Single person households aged 65 and over comprised 3,277
households, or 6.4% of all single person households. It is expected
that as these seniors continue to age in place, additional
accommodations and special needs housing will be necessary for
this portion of the County's population. The County will need to
assist in obtaining and providing funding and work with housing
service and senior support agencies to provide more programs,
activities, and accommodations for this growing population of the
county.
Homeless
• Specmc needs of the extremely low-income that are housed,
but are at imminent risk of becoming unsheltered or living in
shelters are: food, clothing, transportation and job training
with housing.
• Another housing issue is the lack of continuous and coherent
housing supportive services.
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
Live and Work Pattern
The following data highlights patterns in residency and employment
in the County (data was not available for Hillsborough): the
population that live and work in the jurisdiction is 20.11% (19,698)
in Orange County; 10.56% (6,435) in Chapel Hill and 4.75% (540)
Carrboro.
Other Housing Problems
• A household is considered to have a housing problem if it is cost
burdened by more than 30% of their income, experiencing
overcrowding, or having incomplete kitchen or plumbing facilities.
The four severe housing problems
are lacks complete kitchen facilities; lacks complete plumbing
facilities; more than 1.5 persons per room; and cost burdened over
50%.
• According to the 2006-2010 Comprehensive Housing Affordability
Strategy (CHAS) data (the most current complete set of the data):
inrougnout urange uounry, me number or renrer nousenoias
experiencing one of the four housing problems is greater than
the number of owner-occupied households experiencing a
housing problem. This trend is much more pronounced in the
Town of Chapel Hill where renter households are almost three
times more likely to experience a housing problem than owner-
occupied households.
• The 2006-2010 HUD CHAS data for Orange County reveals that,
43.4% of renter households and 32.5% of owner-occupied
households experienced one of the four housing problems
(incomplete kitchen facilities, incomplete plumbing facilities, more
than 1 person per room, and cost burdened by 30% or more).
• According to CHAS data (2007 - 2011) over 5,000 households
at 0%-30% median income have one of more of the four
housing problems; however, the overwhelming problem was
housing cost burden greater than 50% of income (4,245).
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan 1 2
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Orange County, North Carolina
• 47% of all disabled renters have a housing problem that includes
cost burdened by 30% or more or another type of housing problem.
32% of disabled homeowners have a housing problem that includes
cost burdened by 30% or more or another type of housing problem.
• In Carrboro 51.1% of renter households and 30.7% of owner
occupied households experienced a housing problem.
• In Chapel Hill 54.9% of renter households and 20.5% of owner-
occupied households experienced a housing problem.
• In Hillsborough 47.3% of renter households and 39.0% of owner-
occupied households experienced a housing problem.
• According to the 2007-2011 American Community Survey (the most
current complete set of census estimates): When comparing
homeowners and renters by race, "White" households represent the
largest percentage of homeownership (84.1%) with "Black or
African American" households comprising (9.4%) of the total
homeowners.
• In examining housing needs and patterns to help determine goals
and strategies, analysis included the extent to which any
racial/ethnic group has a greater need in comparison to the
County's overall population need. Data detailing information by
racial group and Hispanic origin has been compiled from the CHAS
data and the 2010 U.S. Census. Disproportionate need is defined
as a group having at least 10 percentage points higher than the
percentage of persons in that group as a whole. The following are
some of findings of disproportionate needs in Orange County.
Some of the findings with regards to homeownership, access to
credit and financing among others was:
• The number of White, non-Hispanic middle-income applicants
significantly outnumbers the number of minority applicants, and
minority households have a lower origination rate and almost
double the denial rate.
• Of the total number of "White" households, 65.52% are
homeowners and 34.48% are renters. In comparison, of all
"Black and African American" households, 42.85% are
homeowners and 57.15% are renters.
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Orange County, North Carolina
• According to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data:
The percentage of total applications by Whites accounts for
almost three-quarters (74.3%) of the total number of
applications, regardless of income.
• Loan origination rates are higher for White applicants than for
minority applicants as a whole, and minority denial rates are
higher than White denial rates.
In summary, the extremely and very low-income residents of the
county (0 to 30% to 50% of median income) including seniors, the
homeless and persons at-risk of homelessness and persons with
disabilities are the most adversely affected by the high cost of
housing and the great lack of affordable housing in Orange County.
The lack of affordable housing that is decent, safe, and sound
forces these residents of the county into substandard housing and
a life of instability that also affects education, health and
employment outcomes for families and individuals and the
community.
In providing a continuum of affordable housing, the county's goals
should include other special needs housing such as a place for
persons who are victims of domestic violence and having a
shelter(s) that can appropriately serve a mix of families and
individuals. Goals should include strengthening planning and
coordination of resources for emergency situations where families
and individuals become homeless due to life events, acts of nature
or involuntary displacement to help them return to or obtain as
quickly and effectively as possible stable housing and
independence. The following section (Section D.) provides the
proposed Orange County Strategic Plan Goals and Strategies:
2016 — 2020 and respective actions and recommendations.
NOTE: AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRIMER
For your information and convenience, at the following links is the website for an
Affordable Housing Primer that is a helpful basic reference and educational tool
produced by the North Carolina Housing Coalition on affordable housing including
affordable housing terms and programs:
http://www.nchousing.org/research-data/affordable-housing-primer/2009-
affordable-housing-primer/Affordable Housing Primer 2009 final.pdf
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
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• Orange County, North Carolina
http://www.nchousing.org/research-data/affordable-housing-primer (by Table of
Contents)
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Orange County, North Carolina
D. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS AND STRATEGIES: 2016 - 2020
Affordable Housing is the foundation for achieving self-sufficiency and
promotes stronger, more inclusive communities.
The AHSP is intended to be a "living" affordable housing plan that
provides a framework for moving forward in addressing the affordable
housing needs of current and future County residents. The successful
implementation of the AHSP is based in the expectation and more
importantly in the commitment to work together collaboratively with the
County's municipal, state and federal and other public and private
community partners, Advisory Boards, Authorities and Commissions and
the community at large to meet the affordable housing needs of the
County. There will be many additional opportunities for public and private
entities and the community to have further input into the AHSP and
implementation of the goals, strategies and actions and recommendations.
The ASHP builds upon the analyses, data, community-wide input, findings
and strategies in the Orange County Consolidated Plan and the Analysis
of Impediments to fair housing choice prepared for the Orange County
HOME Consortium that is comprised of Orange County and the Town of
Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Hillsborough. The AHSP
identifies the critical need for affordable housing for individuals and
households of extremely and very low income and for population groups
with special needs including the homeless, persons with physical and or
mental disabilities and the elderly.
The AHSP reviews existing affordable housing programs and tools of the
County and assessments of the county's housing stock. This included
examining mobile home parks of the County which provides a significant
source of affordable housing, publicly owned land and other development
opportunities and challenges for preserving and increasing the supply of
affordable housing. The development opportunities and challenges were
examined with consideration given to the County's existing and planned
infrastructure and access to transportation, employment, services and
other community assets.
The AHSP identifies goals for the next five years, and proposes strategies
and opportunities through a list of proposed actions and recommendations
to meet those goals. This includes the proposed county-wide shared goal
of 1,000 affordable housing units provided through acquisition,
construction, urgent repair, assisted housing, and rehabilitation of the
existing housing stock, over the next five (5) years.
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Orange County, North Carolina
In order to begin to meet the need for affordable housing in Orange
County, particularly residents who are most cost burdened at 30% to 50 %
median income as discussed in the AHSP, the ASHP has a proposed
overarching shared countywide goal of 1,000 affordable housing units.
The shared countywide goal of 1,000 units are to be provided through
acquisition, construction, urgent repair, assisted housing, and
rehabilitation of the existing housing stock, over the next five (5) years. At
least
500 of those units is recommended to be new assisted rental units through
the proposed five million dollar Bond for affordable housing in addition to
other county and public and private resources.
The AHSP proposes that of the 1000 units goal 25 — 30% of the units be
rental units serving extremely low and very low income households, at or
below 30% — 50 % of median income (using the federal definition) and
another 25 - 30% serving special needs populations including the
homeless, persons with physical and or mental disabilities and seniors.
The highest priority is recommended for these populations and then for
individuals and households that are at or below 50 - 80% of median
income for the County.
The AHSP has identified ten goals with strategies provided for each goal
and action and recommendations to implement them. The thirty-three
Actions (A)/Recommendations(R) are listed with each goal and set of
strategies. Those numbered with both A and R (AR) are
Actions/Recommendations county staff is requesting to pursue
immediately and or require funding decisions. With the Board's approval
of the AHSP, the Director of the Department of Housing and Community
Development in consultation and collaboration with other county staff and
approval of the County Manager will bring back to the BOCC detailed work
plans and metrics in collaboration with the community, municipal partners,
Advisory Boards and County agencies as appropriate.
The format of the following table presents the ten goals, by each goal and
the respective plan strategies and actions (A)/recommendations (R). The
actions (A)/recommendations (R) are listed and grouped with the
respective goal and related strategies and are also numbered
consecutively across all goals providing thirty-three
actions/recommendations in all. Those numbered with both A and R (AR)
are actions/recommendations county staff is requesting to pursue
immediately and or require more funding decisions.
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
Orange County Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
Goals: 2016 - 2020
Affr‘rg-+ hle housing is the foundation for achieving self-suffici
stronger more inclusive communities.
2016 - 2020 Five Year Countywide Shared Goal:
1 ,000 Affordable Housing Units"
*New Acquisitions, Construction, Urgent Repairs, Newly Assisted and or Rehabilitated
GOAL 1 : IUVIUC d LUIILIIIUL III vi uca.elll, sour.0 alma 0,61
dl IUludale housing with a diversity of housing types,
densities and choice throughout the County that promotes
inclusive communities and full access to its assets for
current and future populations.
St°-4-pgiec Action/Recommendation
Identify publically owned land or property located within the ® Provide county or other publicly
County that may be used to address affordable housing needs owned property through a RFP for the
identified in the Plan. immediate development of single
family attached, detached, and multi-
Identify and pursue local, state, federal and private resources family housing units. Based on the
including partnering with university communities to leverage SWOT analysis of publicly owned land,
available resources (that include publicly owned land and surplus the County owned, small-parcel
facilities and financial support) for development of permanent property (3 acres or less) will be
affordable housing at a level that is "key" to meeting the basic need provided for the development of small
of decent safe and sound affordable housing for a broad cross scale, single family detached and
section (age and income) of the residents of Orange County. attached (duplex, triplex) units for sale
or rent to qualified buyers and/or
Promote an innovative approach to multi-family and special occupants through partner affordable
needs housing that is responsive to the needs of Orange County, housing non-profits.
makes effective use of technology, addresses financial and
environmental sustainability, and provides quality developments Implement a competitive process
with balanced focus on reducing construction and maintenance for evaluating proposals for
costs. development and maintenance of
affordable housing inventory. The
Locate affordable housing units/developments in areas that proposals will be evaluated by the
are proximate to needed services, shopping, schools, transportation Orange County Housing Authority and
options, and employment centers. and/or the Affordable Housing
Advisory Board as appropriate. These
Support the development of permanent affordable workforce bodies will make recommendations to
housing options including creative and non-traditional options in the BOCC on the distribution of any
design (amenities, size, number of units and cost) for young adults county funds.
and other single individuals starting careers and families with
members in modest paying professional careers (such as teachers,
service workers and medical assistants).
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
Support a range of affordable housing initiatives in The County should negotiate an
partnership with non-profit organizations and outreach to agreement with the Orange County
the broader community to leverage state and federal funds Housing Authority to manage and
to provide a range of housing opportunities for County maintain affordable housing inventory
residents. owned by the County.
Through a Design Competition
Preserve and monitor the affordable housing stock that create and implement an innovative
exists by developing strategies, tools and partnerships that development plan and designs for the
allow the County to retain the supply of decent, safe, sound, larger county-owned parcel(s)
and accessible housing that is affordable to low- and including the Southern Human Services
moderate-income owners and renters including Center site that will include a mix of
manufactured homes. affordable housing uses including
workforce housing and or special
Plan for possible displaced homeowners and renters of needs housing and services as suited
manufactured housing that may have difficulty finding to the site and identified priority
other sources of affordable housing due to rising land costs needs.
and rent, expected particularly in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Assess land use planning efforts
Coordinate the location of higher intensity/ high to identify and provide greater
density residential and non-residential development with opportunities for the joint location of
existing or planned locations of public transportation, affordable housing and employment
commercial and community services, and adequate centers near existing or near term
supporting infrastructure (i.e., water and sewer, high-speed construction of public utilities and
internet access, streets, and sidewalks), while avoiding transportation which reduces
areas with protected natural and cultural resources. This commuting times, traffic congestion
could be achieved by increasing allowable densities and on roadways, air emissions, and
creating new mixed-use zoning districts where adequate generally improve quality of life for
public services are available. families and individuals.
Improve the public infrastructure through Assess land use planning efforts
rehabilitation, reconstruction, and new construction that will in consultation with the developer
facilitate affordable housing and economic development. community (for profit/nonprofit) to
identify potential barriers to
Evaluate the feasibility of incentives and utilize them development and to identify effective
to stimulate the development/ production of needed incentives for Orange County to
affordable low income housing and increase participation increase affordable housing options
and or private investment by lenders, landlords, apartments, including exploring the success of
developers and faith-based organizations. other communities and evaluating
Chapel Hill's efforts to encourage
developers to build affordable units
as part of new developments.
Utilize planning and development
opportunities, related to northern and
western Orange County that include
the NC 57/Speedway Small Area Plan,
the Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan,
Economic Development Zoning
Districts, and the Efland Sewer Project,
as well as regulations and practices
contained in the Orange County
Unified Development Ordinance and
the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
With the completion of a
conditions survey and SWOT analysis
of mobile home parks in the County,
immediately pursue opportunities to
preserve the inventory, expand and or
improve this source of affordable
housing through acquisition, land
banking and partnership
opportunities. This may include and is
not limited to minor to moderate
repairs and or conversion of
underutilized parks to modular
housing, cottages, and or small
(micro/tiny) homes.
Encourage blending of
development that can be supported by
on-site/individual wastewater and
utility systems (i.e. individual septic
and wells) to afford use of
underutilized mobile parks and small
sites where feasible.
Al 0: Examine increasing allowable
densities and creating new mixed-use
zoning districts where adequate public
services are available.
Develop in collaboration with
community service providers:
1) a community plan to respond to
housing emergencies due to acts
of nature, life events, etc.;
2) a coordinated community-wide
service model for intake of
homeless individuals and families
seeking assistance; and a
displacement plan for larger
housing displacement events due
to new development and or sale of
property affecting households of
low income and no immediate
alternative housing options and to
minimize housing instability, loss
of personal property and an
adverse impact on families and
individuals and particularly on
vulnerable populations.
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
GOAL 2: Increase the quantity and quality of
affordable housing, and help low-income families
acquire needed information, knowledge, and skills to
improve their employment opportunities and reduce
the number of families falling below the poverty level.
S" 'es Action/RecommF"^}'
Continue and strengthen collaboration between
Agencies (public/private) and with municipalities in and : 1) Continue to strengthen the intra-
neighboring to the County to support existing and new and inter- agency collaboration and
initiatives to meet affordable housing and related service community engagement for addressing
needs and to promote maximum empowerment and self- specific needs and shared and or related
sufficiency of all income groups and households. goals that include affordable housing. Some
of these include the Family Success Alliance
Promote the development of affordable, decent, safe and staffed by the Health Department; Master
sound rental housing that avoids the creation of areas of low- Aging Plan, initiatives for the Partnership to
income concentration. End Homelessness, working with OWASA to
reduce water consumption and increase cost
Implement the County's Analysis of Impediments, the savings for tenants and homeowners,
Consolidated Plan and the Housing Authority Plans. transportation, and land use.
2) In consultation with our community
Improve the parks, recreational centers, trails, libraries, partners, fully utilize our community human
and all public and community facilities in the County to capital assets, areas of expertise and unique
provide access to these resources by all residents of the capacities and special powers to facilitate
County. carrying out the goals and strategies and of
the orange County Affordable Housini,
Increase public safety, community policing, municipal ""- " """" This may
services, and public service programs in distressed/problem include requesting our community partners,
areas of the County. particularly in areas of expertise, to
participate in developing guiding principles,
Remove and eliminate blighting conditions through general guidelines and or design
demolition of vacant, abandoned and dilapidated structures criteria/considerations for the different types
infeasible for rehabilitation and provide replacement housing of housing needed and planned over the five
where determined feasible and or consider for land banking. year period of the Plan. This will include
engaging our Advisory Boards, Authorities
Promote neighborhood revitalization in strategic areas and Commissions and other public and
to improve communities of low wealth and substandard private partners in their areas of expertise
conditions through acquisition, demolition, rehabilitation, such as the Orange County Housing Authority
code enforcement, infrastructure, infrastructure under AR3 above to, our Municipal Partners
improvements, housing construction, public and community and the collective leadership of the Board of
facilities improvements, and educational and employment Orange County Commissioners (BOCC).
developmental opportunities.
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
1 ) Assist low- and moderate-income
households including Section 8 Housing
Choice Voucher Program households
through the Housing Authority in becoming
homeowners by providing down payment
assistance, closing cost assistance, and pre
and post housing counseling training.
2) Develop a similar model for successful
obtainment, maintenance and retention of
rental housing and providers of rental
housing particularly for the Housing Choice
Voucher Program.
A14: Provide a Family Self-Sufficiency
Program for Section 8 Housing Choice
Voucher participants.
Al 5: Accommodate the development of
group homes, foster care facilities,
transitional housing facilities and other
housing types in appropriate locations to
provide increased opportunities for social
interaction, a de-institutionalized lifestyle,
and gainful employment.
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40
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
GOAL 3: Provide permanent and tempora _ au.
and community and supportive services for
populations with special needs that include the
homeless, older residents, disabled, mentally ill, and
persons with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Strategies Action/Recommendation
Support the coordinated strategies undertaken by the '�"� Assist and participate in collaborative
Partnership to End Homelessness for housing and support efforts in partnership with the local
services for homeless persons, and persons who are at risk Continuum of Care and the affordable
of becoming homeless. housing community and partners to address
the following unmet community needs:
Increase the number of accessible permanent housing 1) an adequate emergency shelter (s)
units through new construction and through rehabilitation that can accommodate individuals
of existing housing units and through financial or and families of mixed composition
development incentives on available vacant and developable and sex and for men;
land in the County. 2) a Domestic Violence shelter
according to best practices and
Continue to enforce the ADA and Fair Housing expertise in meeting the needs of
requirements for landlords to permit reasonable victims;
accommodations to their rental properties so they become 3) more permanent supportive housing
accessible to tenants who are disabled. for disabled homeless people
including creative and non-traditional
Support the local Continuum of Care's (Coca) efforts to affordable housing options that
provide emergency shelter, increase support for rapid reduce cost and provide for more
rehousing, and permanent supportive housing for persons affordable units; and service needs
and families who are homeless or who are at risk of of unaccompanied minors/youth.
becoming homeless.
Al 7: Make full use of performance data
from the HMIS to help drive program
decision-making and to monitor, evaluate,
and report program and system-wide
performance and gaps of the housing and
service delivery system for the homeless.
Continue to work collaboratively and
review other success models and evidence
based approaches and or programs to
address the following challenges:
1) Identifying landlords willing to rent
to formerly homeless people, with
either short-term rental assistance
or assistance via a rapid rehousing
program or long-term rental
assistance via permanent
supportive housing tenant-based
voucher programs;
2) Bringing rapid rehousing
approaches to scale and providing
adequate funding for rapid
rehousing initiatives; and
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41
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
3) Engaging homeless people in
developing a permanent "housing
plan" and in working to improve
their own self-sufficiency, using
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
Goal 4: Provide an adequate supply of affordable and
suitable housing options for older residents to age in
place, for those over housed and or priced out due to
market forces, maintenance and other uncontrollable
costs and promote and develop a range of affordable
housing design choices and locations that allow them
to remain in their community of choice in Orange
County.
Strategies Action/Recommendation
Expand assistance in the retrofitting, repair, and I Expand the County's Urgent Repair
maintenance of existing homes owned by financially Program to serve 50 to 60 senior residents
challenged households, particularly those that are senior and or persons with disabilities, thereby
residents. substantially reducing or practically
eliminating a long waiting list to serve this
Provide financial and educational assistance to population for urgent housing repair needs.
qualified homebuyers; providing education and advocacy This would require an additional $1 50,000
regarding tenants' rights; and providing financial assistance to $200,000 to the current fiscal year
to homeowners wanting to install indoor plumbing and/or funding level of $75,000 allocated to
connect their properties to public water and sewer facilities. complete approximately 25 owner-occupied
housing units of senior households and or
Increase the supply of affordable, decent, safe, households with persons with a disability.
sound and accessible housing for senior residents, persons
with disabilities, and persons with other special needs Implement a priority that of a total
through rehabilitation of existing buildings and new number of assisted units of a project or
construction. program, a certain percentage should serve
extremely low (30%AMI) and very low
Improve the accessibility of owner occupied housing income (50%AMI) elderly persons and
through rehabilitation and improve renter occupied housing persons with a disability.
by making reasonable accommodations for the physically
disabled and or develop programs to promote improvement
of substandard renter properties.
Support social service programs and facilities for the
elderly, persons with disabilities, and persons with other
special needs.
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
GOAL 5: Preserve the current supply of rental housing
stock that is aging and in need of rehabilitation and
upgrading to maintain the existing supply of
affordable units into the future and to prevent the loss
of more affordable housing.
Strategies Action/Recommendation
Continue to provide financial assistance to low- and _: Leverage maximum funding through
moderate income homeowners to rehabilitate their existing the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
owner-occupied housing. Single-Family Rehabilitation Loan Pool
(SFRLP) funds. Each recipient of SFRLP funds
Continue to require that all new housing built or is now eligible with recent program changes
located in Orange County continues to meet the minimum for up to $500,000 (instead of $1 70K) to
standards specified in the State of North Carolina Building conduct financially-feasible, moderate
Code, the Orange County Unified Development Ordinance, housing rehabilitation for households that
the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and are below 80%AMI. Due to the extent of
the USDA Rural Development Agency when appropriate. rehabilitation required for typical older
homes of Orange County applicants, few
Enforce state and local codes and ordinances to bring homes can be completed based on the state
buildings into compliance with the standards through requirement of only $45K to bring each
systematic enforcement. home up to code. Additional funds of
$200,000 - $250,000 will allow the County
Conduct Lead Based Paint (LBP) inspections and to complete approximately 10 homes
assessments as necessary for full compliance with all instead of three (3) homes and fully and
applicable LBP regulations and to control or reduce, to the more effectively leverage the state funding.
extent feasible, all LBP hazards in all older housing of the
County. Review the County's Minimum
Housing Standards Ordinance in
coordination with the Affordable Housing
Advisory Board to provide recommendations
to the BOCC on making it an effective tool as
intended in fostering compliance with the
Ordinance and preserving the County's
housing stock of decent safe and sound
housing.
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
Goal 6: Affirmatively further fair housing, prom ai
housing choice and improve community wide
knowledge and awareness of the Fair Housing Act,
related laws, regulations, and requirements throughout
the County.
nrt;^n /P r^mmendatio
Strategies
Improve the public's, landlords', realtors', bankers' and Continue to strengthen educational
other lenders', and local officials' knowledge and awareness and outreach programs so all persons will
of the Fair Housing Act, related laws, regulations, and become aware of their rights under the Fair
requirements to affirmatively further fair housing in the Housing Act and the County's Human
community. Relations Ordinance and raise community
awareness and implementation to address
Strive for better intergovernmental cooperation the full meaning of affirmatively further fair
between Federal and State partners, County, local officials, housing choice, especially for low-income
as well as community groups, to effectively identify and residents, minorities and the disabled
address potential barriers to affordable housing choice in population.
the Orange County Consortium Area.
Educate and promote that all residents have a right to
live outside impacted areas.
Require all public, private, and non-profit housing
developers to abide by provisions of the Fair Housing Act in
the development of housing in Orange County.
The County Planning Department should monitor,
review and revise within the limits of state statutes the local
zoning ordinances as applicable to assure compliance with
the Fair Housing Act.
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
GOAL 7: Provide increased access to job opportunities
and skill development for low income residents which
will increase household income, and help promote fair
housing choice.
Strategies Action/Recommendatior
Strengthen partnerships and program delivery that Study, plan, and develop additional
provides increased employment, self-sufficiency, education, bus routes to provide more public
job training, and technical assistance and economic transportation to business "nodes" for low-
empowerment of low and moderate income residents in the income workers and to have better access to
County. jobs, services, community amenities and
work force development opportunities
Enhance the County's businesses and industries,
expand its tax base, and create a more sustainable economy
for residents and businesses.
Support and enhance workforce development and skills
training that result in a "livable" wage and increases job
opportunities, especially for low and moderate-income
individuals.
Support programming that enhances entrepreneurship
and small business development, expansion, and retention
within low- and moderate income areas and minority
neighborhoods.
Promote and encourage economic development to
increase employment opportunities.
Increase access to areas of education and employment
through housing choice and viable transportation options.
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ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
GOAL 8: Continue to provide staffing at a high
and quality of service for the County with a
commitment to excellence to meet the need for 1 )
planning, administering, managing, leveraging and
providing oversight of federal, state, private and local
funded programs and projects and 2) increasing
cooperation and collaboration among public, private
and municipal partners and communities in addressing
affordable housing preservation and development
needs of the region that ultimately affect the quality of
life for all residents.
tegir Action/Recommendation
Provide program management and oversight for the In Provide leadership and or support to
successful administration and leveraging of federal, state, staff and the community as needed to
private and local funded programs and projects; for support implement the strategies and
of collaborative initiatives, community engagement; for recommendations of this Strategic Plan and
support of various Advisory Boards and Authorities and for related County Plans and activities with the
research and planning services, special studies and meeting guidance and approval of the County
various environmental, fair housing, and other compliance Manager and BOCC as needed and required
requirements with all federal, state, and local laws and and with broad community involvement
regulations. including the County's many stakeholders.
Mk 1) Continue to strengthen internal
management of funded programs and
projects including policies and procedures,
best practices, learning, training and
information sharing, reporting and intra and
interagency practices and coordination by
the Department. This includes listening to,
seeking to understand, continuous
engagement and responsiveness to our
many customers and or partners.
2) Strive to ensure maximum leveraging of
resources, funding and programs to meet
the current and future affordable housing
needs of County residents.
Monitor, track and report activities
and results of this Strategic Plan to the
BOCC by the Department of Housing,
Human Rights and Community Development
in cooperation and collaboration with other
County Agencies, municipal partners and the
community.
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47
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CARC}L1NA Orange County, North Carolina
GOAL 9: Continue to pursue available resources (innancial
and non-financial) and assess and implement a County
dedicated funding source(s) needed to provide the financial
resources necessary to address the widening gap in
affordable housing needs and available housing to meet
that need in the County recognizing that lack of a reliable
and on-going source of funding:
1 ) adversely impacts an increasing amount of residents that
are low and modest income, seniors, with a disability and
the most vulnerable;
2) seriously constrains and minimizes community efforts to
meet that need;
3) Orange County values inclusive, caring, strong
communities with opportunities for all residents to become
self-sufficient and that affordable housing provides a
fundamental foundation; and
4) available land and existing units loss are opportunities
that may not be regained.
strategies Action/Recommendation
Encourage support for the planned County Bond Issue Mr The County Manager will assess and
for schools and affordable housing and continue to increase recommend to the BOCC a dedicated
community understanding of the need and benefit to the funding source(s) needed and a plan of
entire County; that the proposed Bond will not only meet implementation to provide a source of
critical education capital and affordable housing needs of reliable funds for affordable housing
the County, but will also: starting with FY2016-1 7.
1) provide an increase in jobs, Provide and maintain a set aside of
2) reduce blight and unsafe housing conditions and funding for land banking and acquisition
strengthen and improve communities; opportunities and keep this fund
3) contribute to the local economy by attracting and opportunity driven.
retaining a talented, diverse and skilled workforce
needed by employers; and finally, Seek and support opportunities to
4) add to the quality of life by reducing the number of partner with community and municipal
residents who must commute or leave the County to partners on: 1) major projects and or
have affordable housing. funding applications to federal, state and
private funders and
Continue to support and provide an increased source of 2) building a stronger and more productive
funding beyond federal HOME funding (that still provides an relationship with local and regional financial
important resource but has been significantly and institutions.
increasingly reduced over the past several years) to the
extent practicable for on-going affordable housing Seek and support opportunities to
programs and projects by the County's local non-profit partner with community and municipal
housing providers and continue to ensure priority needs are partners in carrying out the strategies and
being met as well as encouraging maximum leveraging and actions of this Plan.
sustainability.
Continue to provide and maintain a set aside of funding
for land banking and acquisition opportunities for current
and future affordable housing development.
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
48
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA Orange County, North Carolina
GOAL10: Encourage and support intergovernmental
coordination, cooperation and collaboration in the
provision of affordable housing in Orange County
recognizing the greatest success, efficiencies and
benefit County and region wide to all our current and
future residents will be achieved through multi-
jurisdictional efforts now and into the future.
Strategies Action/Recommendation
Continue to expand collaboration among staff, Continue and strengthen the
communities, educational institutions and elected officials of County's and Towns'joint assessment
municipalities in the region to meet the critical human and and planning to obtain federal and other
region wide need of affordable housing and to support where funding and public and private resources
feasible the goals and strategies of this Strategic Plan. sources to provide assistance as needed
to households earning lower incomes
Continue to build on the relationships between the and or to residents with special needs
County and Towns and neighboring jurisdictions as applicable and to our extremely vulnerable
to ensure that future housing meets the broad range of needs residents.
of our communities and that these needs are met in the most
efficient, effective, and equitable manner, and that new Continue collaboration and
affordable housing developments and improvements enhance information exchange and to seek
the County's and each municipalities' unique quality of life and opportunities for joint efforts between
community character. the jurisdictions in addressing
community needs and in maximizing
Work collaboratively with municipal partners, the utilization of resources and community
university community, the nonprofit community and the private benefit. This includes where feasible
sector to develop effective outreach and community building funding, planning, training, problem
strategies that increase public, private and for-profit solving, civic engagement and
investment and support for affordable housing in the region. identifying and building other
community partnerships as needed to
meet affordable housing and related
community wide needs.
Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan