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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOC Housing Authority minutes 111616 A ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD November 16, 2016, 6:00 PM Southern Human Services Center, Conference Room D 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Minutes Members Present: Jean Bolduc, Char, Evelyn i el n Johann• Diane Beecham Vice-Chair; and Gina James Excused Absence: Daniel Bullock, Tammy Jacobs Staff Present: Audrey Spencer-Horsley, Director/Secretary, and Angela Rockett, Administrative Assistant,Alicia Jones, Housing Programs Manager W elcome/Intro duction Jean Bolduc, Chair; called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. Approval of Minutes s F Gina James made a motion to approve the Minutes of Wednesday, October 19, 2016 and Evelyn Johann seconded the motion and the Minutes were approved unanimously. Department Report/County Report Orange County Affordable Housing Strategic Plan Audrey Spencer-Horsley shared updates on the proposed Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. She stated that at the November 1,2016 Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC)meeting, the BOCC approved income targets and project scoring criteria for projects assisted with county resources. This includes $5 million in Bond funds approved in the November 8th referendum. She noted that there will be no dollar caps for income and special needs categories identified, except for populations with incomes between 60 and 80% of median income; the cap for this income category was set at 20% of funds. There is still a shared countywide goal of up to 1,000 units by 2020. The BOCC updated and approved project evaluation criteria based on the bond project criteria from 2001, the year of the last affordable housing bond. The BOCC has authorized county staff to work on an RFP(s) for county owned land and bond funding. The proposal is for a team to be put together by the county manager to review proposals and then it will go the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for review and comment and then to the BOCC with a recommendation on which projects should be funded based on the project evaluation criteria and the reviews. Ms. Spencer-Horsley stated that they have asked us staff to work on a manufactured housing (mobile homes) strategy which includes the one million dollars for land banking that is set aside and potentially another million. The BOCC restricted the first million for a manufactured housing strategy and indicated possible flexibility on the second million set aside for that and other affordable housing. Diane Beecham asked what specifically are they looking for pertaining to mobile home strategies? Ms. Spencer-Horsley explained that it is a source of affordable housing and the BOCC want to encourage and preserve that in the county. There has not been a new park developed in the last ten or 15 years. The county still has substantial affordable housing stock in mobile home parks alone. There are about 4,000 manufactured units distributed throughout the county,but there are a little over 2,000 units in parks that provide affordable housing for people residing in the county. There was discussion of the county being a landlord and perhaps via the OCHA. Ms. Spencer-Horsley said the BOCC have reservations about being a landlord,but for the OCHA, it was not completely taken off the table for future discussion. She added that Habitat for Humanity had a workgroup put together to look at mobile home strategies that is in early stages. There have been two meetings that were attended by two developers. Jean Bolduc asked if Habitat for Humanity does any work with mobile homes. Ms. Spencer-Horsley noted that Habitat for Humanity has recently acquired property that had mobile homes on it and some of their previous projects may have had some scattered mobile home units. Department Meeting with Homeless Programs Coordinator on Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Preferences Audrey Spencer-Horsley and Alicia Jones met with the Homeless Coordinator, Corey Root and Intern to discuss and explain homelessness issues and HCV program preferences. Ms. Spencer-Horsley stated that she and Ms. Jones discussed with Ms. Root the emphasis needed on an assessment process and an established and strongly coordinated network of supportive services for homeless persons in order for preferences to be successful for homeless populations. BOCC Work Session- Outside Agency Funding and Advisory Boards and Other Items On November 17, 2016,the BOCC will be discussing at their work session outside agency funding,the process and criteria for funding. The BOCC will also discuss Advisory Boards including how to strengthen the process for appointments and coordination more consistent across the Advisory Boards. The BOCC will also get an update and discuss the Green Tract that is jointly owned with the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill. This is the largest publicly owned site where plans for affordable housing have been proposed. HUD Updates Among HUD notices, Ms. Spencer-Horsley stated that HUD has released notices for affirmatively furthering fair housing assessment tools for Housing Authorities and final rules on harassment and limited English proficient speakers. The OCHA will be hearing more about these notices and implementation as a part of information for updating the HCV Administrative Plan and other Departmental efforts for compliance going forward. Financial Report Ms. Spencer-Horsley reviewed the financial and HCV program summary report that had been sent out with the OCHA meeting Minutes and Agenda. There were 565 vouchers since the last of October 2016, Ms. Spencer-Horsley explained that the numbers on the printed report under HAP contracts on the street are incorrect and the software vendor will be coming for training next month and she expects this will be addressed along with other glitches that she and staff have identified in the HCV Elite system provided by Emphasys, the software company. She stated that 77 applications were pulled from the waiting list and about a third of the voucher holders had found places to rent. She stated that she is still waiting for the county Finance Department to get the HUD HCV financial report numbers reconciled; the process Finance has indicated is near complete. HUD has provisionally accepted the numbers and asked for one more adjustment. The annual financial audit report had not been submitted to HUD in over four years creating a challenge in going back and making sure all the numbers are reconciled. Upon completion of that process and acceptance of the final reports by HUD, Ms. Spencer-Horsley stated related adjustments in VMS may be required. j f Other Staff Reports I Ms. Audrey Spencer-Horsley shared with the OCHA Board that she has looked at a few sample resolutions and that she plans to start with the Resolution format with the January 2017 meeting for action items by the OCHA. Jean Bolduc suggested staff look at the Durham Housing Authority's format, which Ms. Spencer-Horsley stated she had. Ms. Spencer=Horsley reminded and asked the OCHA Board members who had not to review the webinar from HUD. Ms. Bolduc suggested the OCHA Board meet and go through the webinar together. r: Overview for Updating and Amendment of the OCHA Administrative Plan for the HCV Program Alicia Jones reviewed the existing Administrative Plan and the process and format for updating and amending the current Plan. She provided a handout that outlined the changes and timeline for review and comments. The purpose for the Administrative Plan she stated is to establish written guidance b p P � Y public housing authorities' (PHAs) for the administration of their local Housing Choice Voucher Program in compliance with federal statutes and HUD regulations. Ms. Jones explained the changes recommended in the current Plan as follows: The Administrative Plan is 17 chapters and 9 chapters include HUD mandated changes. Anything in red is HUD mandated. She explained the projected timeline for the adoption of the updated plan. The last update was February 20, 2013. She reviewed Chapters 1-6. She indicated that Chapters 7-9 will be given to the OCHA Board on December 7, 2016 and then members will receive a matrix that summarizes the issues that have been identified with recommended changes. Ms. Jones asked that any questions be sent to her and to copy Ms. Audrey Spencer-Horsley. Ms. Jones and Ms. Spencer-Horsley will discuss any questions or comments received at the next OCHA meeting. Ms. Bolduc stated that at the OCHA February meeting, a public hearing can be held on the updated plan and the OCHA could take action at its March meeting. Highlights for Annual Report to the BOCC Ms. Bolduc reviewed the last annual report to the BOCC from the OCHA with some updated revisions and asked for any comments. The Affordable Housing Advisory Board Bus tour was added and it was noted that it was a great and informative event. With regard to future activities planned, a housing conference was deferred from 2016 to 2017 and Board members would like to participate in future Resident Advisory Board meetings. The Board plans to continue to develop and pursue a self- sufficiency plan. The Board also discussed landlord outreach efforts for the coming year. Other Business There was discussion to recruit for new members to replace Mark Marcoplos and Ismay (Gina) James. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Angela Rockett, Administrative Assistant Audrey Spencer-Horsley, Director Housing, Human Rights and Community Development Department