Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-04-2017 - 5-a - Orange County Consolidated Plan - Annual Action Plan Needs Hearing 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 4, 2017 Action Agenda Item No. 5-a SUBJECT: Orange County Consolidated Plan - Annual Action Plan Needs Hearing DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights and Community Development ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Annette Moore, Housing, Human Rights 1. Consolidated Plan and County and Community Development Interim Affordable Housing Strategic Director/Staff Attorney, (919) 245- Comparison 2492 2. Program Year 2015-2020 Five Year Consolidated Plan (Only Available Electronically at: http://www.orangecountync.gov/ Final Consolidated Plan 1111201 5.pdf PURPOSE: To receive comments from the public during a second public hearing (the first public hearing occurred at the January 24, 2017 BOCC regular meeting) regarding the housing and non-housing needs to be included in the Annual Action Plan Update of the 2017-2018 Consolidated Housing Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County. (NOTE: The Consolidated Plan is separate from the County's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. However, Attachment 1 provides a summary regarding how the two Plans align with each other.) BACKGROUND: In May 2015 a Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County was developed and approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This document details the housing needs of very low income, low income and moderate-income families and special population groups in addition to outlining the strategies and plans for addressing those needs. Each year, local communities are required to reassess the needs of the community. This public hearing provides an opportunity for the public, public agencies and other interested parties to provide input into the Annual Action Plan Update. In addition, the public may comment on proposed uses of an estimated $348,265 in 2017-2018 funds. Orange County is in the third year of the Five Year Consolidated Plan. Information regarding actual Congressional allocation is not available at this time. Eligible HOME Program activities include: acquisition; new construction; housing rehabilitation; and rental assistance. 2 Since the approval of the Consolidated Housing in May 2015, Orange County residents approved a bond referendum of $5 million on November 8, 2016 designed to help create up to 1,000 affordable units throughout the County. With the passage of the bond, Orange County will be able to assist in adding affordable rentals, homeownership opportunities and address other housing needs to low-to-moderate income residents. The needs assessment, data goals and strategies provide in the Consolidated Housing Plan were incorporated into the development of the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. The 2017 Annual Action Plan will be submitted to HUD on or before May 15, 2017 after approval by the HOME Consortium Members — Orange County, the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill, and the Town of Hillsborough. In order to inform the general public of this opportunity and encourage participation, notices have been placed in The Chapel Hill News and The Herald-Sun, sent to local non-profit agencies and placed on local websites. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Orange County HOME Consortium expects to receive an allocation of$348,265 in HOME Program funds for 2017-2018, the same level as last fiscal year. 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 receive comments from the public and close the public hearing. 3 Attachment 1 COMPARISON of PRIORITIES, GOALS AND STRATEGIES of THE ORANGE COUNTY HOME CONSORTIUM FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN: 2015 - 2020 AND THE ORANGE COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN: 2016-2020 Consolidated Plan Priority Ranking Based on Projected Use of HOME Funds to Address Needs The 2015-2020 Five Year Consolidated Plan's priority ranking of needs for housing and other categories of community needs is defined as follows: • High Priority— Activities are assigned a high priority if HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funding is expected to fund them during the Five Year Consolidated Plan period. • Low Priority— Activities are assigned low priority if the activity may not be funded using HOME funds during the Five Year Consolidated Plan period. Further, due to the decline in the amount of HOME funding over the years, activities that can be funded are very limited. The County and or the Towns (HOME Consortium) may support applications with other funding if those activities are consistent with the needs identified in the Five Year Consolidated Plan. On November 8, 2016, Orange County residents approved a bond referendum of $5 million dollars designated to help create up to 1 ,000 affordable units throughout the county. Affordable housing needs designated as (low priority for HOME funding) may now be funded due to the passage of the affordable housing bond referendum. The needs assessment and data provided in the Consolidated Housing Plan was incorporated into the development of the County's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. For example: one of the greatest needs determined in the Consolidated Housing Plan is the need for affordable rental housing for persons and households with the lowest median incomes in the County and special needs populations (at or below 30% and 50% of median income for the county) which is consistent with findings in the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. Following is a comparison of the Consolidated Plan and the County's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan by priority needs, goals and strategies identified for the Consolidated Plan's six categories: Housing, Homeless, Special Needs, Community Development, Economic Development and Anti-poverty. The scope of the Consolidated Plan is broader than the County's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan as its purpose was not to cover non-housing needs as required by HUD for the Consolidated Plan due to activities that may be funded with Community Development Block Grant Funds. The "Low" and "High" priority designations of the Consolidated Plan reflect the likelihood 1 4 that HOME funds will be used during the Five-Year period to fund a project that meets one of the goals under each priority. If it was unlikely that a project would be funded during the Five-Year period that meets one of the goals of a priority, the priority was designated "low". The "Low" and "High" priority designations do not reflect the level of or County's commitment to addressing needs in the community, only the likelihood of funding during the 5-year period using HOME funds. The County may elect to fund with County and other resources "Low" priority activities (for HOME funding), but high need as identified in the Consolidated Plan and the County's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. The Consortium may also elect to re- designate priority ranking of needs in the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan as additional resources become available and or funding priorities and needs change. CONSOLIDATED PLAN: HOUSING (High Priority) There is a need to improve the quality of the housing stock in the County by increasing the amount of decent, safe, sound, and accessible housing for homeowners, renters, and homebuyers that is affordable to low- and moderate-income persons and families. Goals/Housing Strategies (HS) HS-1 Housing Rehabilitation -Continue to provide financial assistance to low- and moderate- income homeowners to rehabilitate their existing owner-occupied housing. HS-2 Housing Construction - Increase the supply of decent, safe, sound, and accessible housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income owners and renters in the County through rehabilitation of vacant buildings and new construction including mixed design and mixed income developments that incorporate affordable housing options HS-3 Fair Housing - Promote fair housing choice through education and outreach in the community and through encouraging compliance with fair housing laws and affordable housing choices throughout the County. HS-4 Home Ownership-Assist low- and moderate-income households to become homeowners by providing down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, and housing counseling training including Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders HS-5 Public Housing - Support the Town of Chapel Hill's improvements and maintenance of existing public housing units including the provision of broadband internet access for all residents, and promote self-sufficiency through the use of Section 8 Vouchers for home purchase, transitional housing, and supportive services to residents to transition out of public housing to private rental and homeownership opportunities HS-6 Permanent Housing - Support the development of permanent affordable housing options for young adults and other single individuals starting careers and families with members in modest paying professional careers (such as teachers, service workers and medical assistants), including creative and non-traditional affordable housing options in design (amenities, size and cost) and that provides for more affordable units and an asset in communities. 2 5 HS-7 Permanent Housing - Identify and pursue local, state, federal and private resources including university communities to leverage available resources (that include publicly owned land and surplus facilities and financial support)for development of permanent affordable housing at a level that is "key" to meeting the basic need of decent safe and sound affordable housing for a broad cross section (age and income) of the residents of Orange County. HS-8 Housing Preservation - Preserve and monitor the affordable housing stock that exists by developing strategies, tools and partnerships that allow the County to retain the supply of decent, safe, sound, and accessible housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income owners and renters. COMPARISON TO COUNTY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN: The county's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (AHSP) is consistent with and includes all of the strategies above identified in the Consolidated Plan. HS-5 above would be pursued in partnership with the Town of Chapel Hill for its public housing units and related initiatives. All housing types were addressed both in the Consolidated Plan and in the County's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan including public housing. 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 also 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. CONSOLIDATED PLAN: HOMELESS (High Priority) There is a need for housing and support services for homeless persons, and persons who are at- risk of becoming homeless. Goals/ Homeless (HO) Strategies: HO-1 Continuum of Care - Support the local Continuum of Care's (CoC) efforts to provide emergency shelter, increase support for rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing to persons and families who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless. HO-2 Operation/Support-Assist providers in the operation of housing and support services for the homeless and persons at-risk of becoming homeless. HO-3 Prevention and Housing —Continue to support the prevention of homelessness and programs for rapid rehousing. 3 6 HO-4 Housing—Support the rehabilitation of and making accessibility improvements to emergency shelters, transitional housing and permanent housing for the homeless. HO-5 Permanent Housing- Support the development of permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families, including creative and non-traditional affordable housing options that reduce cost and provide for more affordable units. COMPARISON TO COUNTY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN: The county's AHSP is consistent with and includes all of the strategies above identified in the Consolidated Plan. CONSOLIDATED PLAN: SPECIAL NEEDS (Low Priority*) There is a continuing need for affordable housing, services, and facilities for persons with special needs, the elderly, and the disabled. Goals/ Special Needs (SN) Strategies: SN-1 Housing- Increase the supply of affordable, decent, safe, sound, and accessible housing for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and persons with other special needs through rehabilitation of existing buildings and new construction. SN-2 Social Services -Support social service programs and facilities for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and persons with other special needs. SN-3 Accessibility- Improve the accessibility of owner occupied housing through rehabilitation and improve renter occupied housing by making reasonable accommodations for the physically disabled. SN-4 Elderly Housing- Develop housing strategies and options for older adults to age in place including 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 by choice to remain in the community. *HOME Funding COMPARISON TO COUNTY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN: The county's AHSP is consistent with and includes all of the strategies above identified in the Consolidated Plan and has a high priority for county funding. 4 7 CONSOLIDATED PLAN: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (Low Priority*) There is a need to improve the public and community facilities, infrastructure, public services and the quality of life for all residents in the Consortium area. Goals/ Community Development (CD) Strategies: CD-1 Community Facilities - Improve the parks, recreational centers, trails, libraries, and all public and community facilities in the County. CD-2 Infrastructure- Improve the public infrastructure through rehabilitation, reconstruction, and new construction. CD-3 Public Services - Improve and increase public safety, community policing, municipal services, and public service programs throughout the County. CD-4 Code Enforcement - Enforce the local codes and ordinances to bring buildings into compliance with the standards through systematic code enforcement. CD-5 Clearance - Remove and eliminate slum and blighting conditions through demolition of vacant, abandoned and dilapidated structures. CD-6 Revitalization - Promote neighborhood revitalization in strategic areas through acquisition, demolition, rehabilitation, code enforcement, infrastructure, infrastructure improvements, housing construction, public and community facilities improvements, etc. *HOME Funding COMPARISON TO COUNTY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN: The county's AHSP is consistent with and includes all of the strategies above identified in the Consolidated Plan, except generally non-housing activities addressed in CD-1 and CD-3. Other county resources and plans are primarily used to address the needs identified under CD-1 and CD-3. CONSOLIDATED PLAN: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Low Priority*) There is a need to increase employment, self-sufficiency, education, job training, technical assistance, and economic empowerment of low and moderate income residents in the County. Goals and Economic Development (ED) Strategies: ED-1 Employment - Support and encourage new job creation, job retention, employment, youth employment, and job training services. ED-2 Financial Assistance - Support business and commercial growth through expansion and new development through technical assistance programs and low interest loans. 5 8 ED-3 Redevelopment Program - Plan and promote the development and redevelopment of distressed areas throughout the County. ED-4 Business Growth - Promote business and commercial growth supported by zoning, efficient building approval processes and transportation to increase employment opportunities and living wages for low and moderate income persons and families. *HOME Funding COMPARISON TO COUNTY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN: The county's AHSP is consistent with and supports all of the above strategies identified in the Consolidated Plan. However, other county resources and plans are primarily used to address economic development goals and strategies. CONSOLIDATED PLAN: ADMINISTRATION, PLANNING, AND MANAGEMENT (High Priority) There is a continuing need for planning, administration, management, and oversight of federal, state, and local funded programs as well as an increasing for cooperation and collaboration amongst public and private partners and the communities in the Consortium in addressing affordable housing, preservation and development needs of the region that ultimately affect the quality of life for all residents. Goal/ Administration and Management (AM) Strategy: AM-1 Overall Coordination - Provide program management and oversight for the successful administration and leveraging of federal, state, and local funded programs, including support of collaborative initiatives, research and planning services for special studies, environmental clearance, fair housing, and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. COMPARISON TO COUNTY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN: The county's AHSP is consistent with the above strategy identified in the Consolidated Plan. 6