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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-03-2017 - 6-b - Expansion of the Role of the HOME Program Review Committee and Renaming the Committee as the “Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative” 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 3, 2017 Action Agenda Item No. 6-b SUBJECT: Expansion of the Role of the HOME Program Review Committee and Renaming the Committee as the "Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative" DEPARTMENT: County Manager's Office and Department of Housing, Human Rights, and Community Development ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACTS Attachment 1: Draft Resolution Travis Myren, 919-245-2300 Sherrill Hampton, 919-245-2492 PURPOSE: To review and consider an expanded scope of the HOME Program Review Committee. The expanded scope would allow for broader discussions about, as well as seek collaborative solutions to affordable housing issues in the County. In addition, the expansion serves as a response to community input shared during discussions on the 2016 Affordable Housing Bond as it relates to intergovernmental collaboration. Specifically, the new role would allow members to: • strategize about funding options; • provide updates on projects and affordable housing efforts, as well as code or policy changes; • tell the story of the impact of the County's affordable housing initiatives; • develop shared targets and goals for affordable housing preservation and development and track progress over time; and • serve as advocates (elected officials) for affordable housing in Orange County. Given the expanded role of the group, a renaming of the existing Committee is also proposed. The proposed new name would be "Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative (the Collaborative)". The proposed Collaborative would continue to provide guidance on the administration of the HOME Program activities as required by the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). 2 BACKGROUND: The Orange County HOME Program Consortium was formed in 1992 to receive federal HOME Program funds. Partners in the Consortium include the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, as well as Orange County. In 2000, several elected officials from the participating jurisdictions expressed an interest in having more involvement in the evaluation of funding applications and development of the annual HOME Program Plan. Thus the Orange County HOME Program Review Committee was approved by all participating jurisdictions in the Consortium. Initially the Committee met on a quarterly basis. In recent years, the Committee has met during the budget period to evaluate funding applications. At a recent Assembly of Governments Meeting, elected officials indicated an interest in having the staff and HOME Program Review Committee expand its scope to include broader discussions about the County's affordable housing issues, as well as seek to create collaborative strategies and solutions. Furthermore, during discussions regarding the 2016 bond for affordable housing, members of the community stressed the importance of intergovernmental collaboration as a way to maximize public funds used for affordable housing purposes. FINANCIAL IMPACT: No direct financial impact is associated with expanding the scope of the HOME Program Review Committee to form the "Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative". SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this agenda item: • 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. • 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. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the resolution in Attachment 1 to expand the scope of the HOME Program Review Committee to form the "Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative" to allow for broader discussions on the County's affordable housing issues, including the creation of collaborative strategies and solutions. 2 3 RES -2017-064 Attachment 1 Draft A RESOLUTION APPROVING A REVISED SCOPE OF THE HOME PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE WHEREAS, the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough and Orange County are members of the Orange County HOME Consortium; and WHEREAS, elected officials indicate an interest in the staff and the HOME Program Review Committee broadening its scope to include broader discussions about affordable housing issues. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill approves the following changes to the HOME Program Review Committee: • rename the group the"Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative" (the Collaborative). • the staffs of the Collaborative will meet regularly to share information and monitor activities • the full Collaborative including the appointed elected officials will meet quarterly. • The purpose of the Collaborative would be to: o strategize about funding options; o provide updates on projects and affordable housing efforts, as well as code or policy changes; o provide guidance on administration of the HOME Program activities • recommend priorities and criteria for HOME Program funding • annually evaluate applications for HOME funding and provide a recommendation to the elected bodies of each jurisdiction in the Consortium; • provide oversight of performance measures and expenditure rates (to be developed by the staff for review by the Collaborative); and • establish a scoring system for reviewing applications o help tell the story of the impact of our affordable housing initiatives; o develop shared targets and goals for affordable housing preservation and development and track progress over time; and o serve as advocates for affordable housing in Orange County (elected officials) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the elected officials currently appointed to the Orange County HOME Consortium will continue to serve as the appointees to the Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative until such time a new appointment is made by their respective board. This the 3rd day of October, 2017.