HomeMy WebLinkAboutAHAB minutes 080911Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Minutes of August 9, 2011
Members Present: Alex Babbitt, Patsy Barbee, Diane Beecham, Anna MacDonald Dobbs,
Martha Hoylman, Mark Johnson, Rashii Purefoy, Nannie Richmond, and James Stroud
Members Absent: Lynda Baker and Jonzella Bailey- Pridham
Staff Present: Tara L. Fikes, Roxanne W. Reynolds
Welcome /Introduction
Patsy Barbee welcomed everyone to the meeting. She asked for brief introductions for the
benefit of new member Alex Babbitt.
Public Comments
Nannie Richmond stated that the Joint Orange Chatham Community Action, Inc., (JOCCA)
repaired her mother's home and she is very pleased with the work. It was noted that funds are
still available for residents to apply for assistance. Diane Beecham asked if the application could
be a link to Orange County website. Fikes stated that she would check into this matter. Fikes also
stated that she would send JOCCA's Weatherization Application to AHAB members
electronically and copies would be mailed to the members to circulate to residents in Orange
County.
Minutes
James Stroud made a motion to approve the minutes of June 14, 2011 meeting with the
correction that Diane Beecham was not present at the meeting. Mark Johnson seconded the
motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Housing Bond Program Recommendation
Fikes reported that there is approximately $143,304 remaining housing bond funds and provided
a status report of bond fund expenditures. This information is incorporated as an attachment to
the minutes. Fikes stated that the Advisory Board should submit a recommendation to the Board
of County Commissioners (BOCC) regarding the remaining bond funds in the next few months.
After some conversation about potential uses of the funds, Fikes stated that she would provide
information regarding the Orange County Mobile Home Parks survey and a copy of the Housing
Bond Policy at the next meeting.
Board Work Plan
Board members reviewed the group's previous workplan items. They included the following.
1. Mobile Home Park Revitalization;
2. The Abandoned Mobile Home Program;
3. Pursuing connections with the towns to insure inclusion in discussions regarding
affordable housing;
4. Building momentum for affordable housing in Northern Orange County particularly for
areas near transportation;
5. Advocating for another Housing Bond Program, local funding resources, and other
funding resources; and
6. Developing a communication campaign to inform citizens regarding affordable housing
needs utilizing personal stories such as those regarding the search for affordable housing
in the community.
After some discussion, the Board identified the following possible future work items:
1. Unallocated Affordable Housing Bond Funds;
• Disaster relief (perhaps for mobile homes)
• Permanent housing for the homeless
• Repairs for Club Nova Apartments in Chapel Hill
2. Develop a communication plan to keep affordable housing before the county.
3. Seek assistance from UNC- Chapel Hill School of Journalism regarding community wide
media campaign for the County and Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Carrboro. (Anna
MacDonald Dobbs agreed to investigate.)
Additionally, after much conversation regarding mobile homes and mobile home park standards,
Alex Babbitt agreed to provide information at the next meeting regarding park standards and
moving costs.
Report of the Chair
Patsy Barbee mentioned the benefit of the June bus tour and recommended that the Board
schedule an affordable housing bus tour each year. The members present agreed as well.
Department Report
Tara Fikes reported the following.
• Thanks were extended to board members for the change of meeting location due to her
meeting schedule.
• The County Clerk has received applications from new board members and she asked for a
volunteer to contact the applicants and Diane Beecham volunteered to contact them.
• The auction for Whitted Forest Apartments is now scheduled for September 6, 2011.
• The Town of Chapel Hill will schedule a meeting in the fall to start implementation of
their recently adopted Affordable Housing Strategy.
Other Business
The next meeting will be held on September 13, 2011 in Hillsborough.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
Roxanne W. Reynolds
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