HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 6-b - Update on the Manufactured Home Parks Initiative and Approval of the Parameters for a Contract for Relocation Coordination ServicesORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 20, 2018
Action Agenda
Item No. 6-b
SUBJECT: Update on the Manufactured Home Parks Initiative and Approval of the
Parameters for a Contract for Relocation Coordination Services
DEPARTMENT: Department of Housing and
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sherrill Hampton, Director, Housing and
Community Development, (919) 245-2490
PURPOSE: To receive an update on the activities undertaken to date on the Manufactured
Home Parks Initiative and approve entering into an agreement with Empowerment for
“Relocation Coordination” services.
BACKGROUND: On November 20, 2017, the Affordable Housing Land Banking/Manufactured
Home Park Work Group presented the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) with its
recommendations on strategies for mitigating resident displacement and relocation challenges
due to park closures and redevelopment efforts. The BOCC approved the recommendations
and requested that County staff develop a Rapid Response Protocol in order to allow for timely,
coordinated action when manufactured home park closures occur. The Rapid Response
Protocol was created, reviewed by the Work Group and presented to the BOCC in February
2018.
Currently, there are two (2) manufactured home parks that are in threat of closure: Lakeview in
Chapel Hill and Homestead located on NC 86 South. The Town of Chapel Hill is taking the lead
and working with the proposed developer on strategies to relocate the residents in Lakeview
Mobile Home Park. Residents in the Homestead Mobile Home Park have been given until
March 31, 2018 to relocate, and the County is leading the effort to provide relocation options for
these residents.
UPDATE/RECENT ACTIVITIES:
February 24, 2018 – A meeting was held with the residents of the Homestead Mobile
Home Park to gather their input and comments, as well as ascertain their needs given the
proposed manufactured home park closure and their displacement. There are a total of
seven (7) occupied manufactured homes and up to five (5) families have the potential of
being displaced; three (3) families met with staff. Two (2) remaining families are afraid of
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retaliation and thus refused to speak with County staff. Two (2) additional families have
some work affiliation with the manufactured home park owner and also will not speak with
County staff.
On March 6, 2018, the Rehabilitation Specialists in the Housing and Community
Development Department conducted an inspection of three (3) of the units at the
Homestead Mobile Home Park. The Rehabilitation Specialists determined that none of
the manufactured homes could be moved safely without significant investment
On March 7, 2018, the graduate interns working in the Housing and Community
Development Department, along with other UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students, held a
“phone-a-thon” to contact the 100 manufactured home park owners in the County to
gather information and identify available vacancies.
**In mid-April 2018, an information session will be held with manufactured home park
owners to provide information gathered during the “phone-a-thon”.
The Rapid Response Team met on March 13, 2018 to review a draft proposal of services
for residents of the Homestead Mobile Home Park.
On March 17, 2018, staff will meet again with the residents of Homestead Mobile Home
Park to discuss and evaluate potential options for relocation.
Staff is proposing two options to relocate residents at Homestead:
1. Option 1. Assisting residents with locating alternative affordable housing and
providing displacement funds to facilitate the relocation. Working with the Community
Home Trust, staff has identified vacancies at the Landings at Winmore as one
potential relocation option. These units are dedicated to serving low and very low
income individuals and families.
2. Option 2. Contracting with Empowerment Inc. to provide Relocation Coordinator
Services. Staff is recommending that the County allocate up to $280,000 to enter into
an agreement with Empowerment Inc. to provide mitigation displacement services to
the low and very low income individuals and families living at the Homestead Mobile
Home Park. Empowerment would purchase manufactured homes to be used by
eligible individuals and families and would provide property management services for
the units purchased. Empowerment would provide services such as:
• Determining program participant eligibility;
• Using the County’s centralized database of manufactured home park owners to
find available manufactured homes and/or spaces for lease;
• Ensuring that any manufactured home purchased are sold or leased to families
earning no more than eighty percent (80%) of the HUD Area Median Income;
• Ensuring the long-term affordability of the manufactured homes (twenty (20)
years);
• Providing written leases and lease-purchase agreements with residents, as
appropriate; and
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• Providing general maintenance on manufactured homes to ensure continued
standard housing conditions.
The Orange County Housing and Community Development Department, along with
the Permitting and Inspection Division in the Planning Department, would conduct all
the necessary inspections to ensure that the housing is adequate, safe and sanitary.
The County would ensure the long term affordability of the manufactured homes
through the legal agreement with Empowerment, Inc.
On March 17th, staff discussed options with residents and continued with efforts to identify other
housing options.
Staff also is continuing to conduct due diligence on the Millhouse Road site. As staff identifies
additional options and strategies, the Board will continue to receive updates.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Staff is requesting the Board approve up to $280,000 for the Relocation
Coordination Services through the land banking/manufactured home funds authorized in the
Budget. The exact amount may be less based on the actual number of individuals and/or
families served. Out of the total amount spent, Empowerment will be paid an administrative fee
of fifteen percent (15%).
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.
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 un-housed.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the update on the
manufactured home park initiative, approve the use of funds for the Relocation Coordination
Services, and authorize the County Manager, subject to legal review and approval by the
County Attorney, to execute any agreements, amendments and renewals to the agreements for
the provision of these services.
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