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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAHAB minutes 112117Affordable Housing Advisory Board 300 West Tryon Street - Room 250 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Minutes of the November 21, 2017 Meeting Members Present: Cain Twyman, N.V. Parlikad, Ellie Kinnaird, Jenn Sykes, Keith Cook, Doug Boemker Excused Absence: Noah Oswald, Tammy Jacobs, Mae McLendon Unexcused Absence: Joshua Brown, Adrian Moreno, Kolby Herndon, Alex Nickodem Staff Present: Sherrill Hampton, Director; Angela Rockett, Administrative Assistant and Renee Holmes, Housing Program Coordinator Welcome /Introduction (Board members asked Mr. Cook to serve as Acting Chair and moderate the meeting.) Keith Cook called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. AHAB members introduced themselves. Approval of October 10, 2017 Minutes Minutes not approved due to lack of quorum. Board Members Recap of N.C. Affordable Housing Conference Keith Cook spoke about the N.C. Affordable Housing Conference that he attended in Raleigh. He stated that it was a paperless conference and everything was not put online, but overall it was a good conference. Mr. Cook stated that he will present information from the conference on Section 504 Loans and Grants at the next meeting. Cain Twyman also attended the conference. She attended the Housing Credits 101, and stated that there was a lot to learn, but a very informative conference. Department /County Report ® BOCC's Acceptance and Endorsement of Mobile Home Park Survey Report and Recommendations Ms. Hampton shared that the BOCC have been very concerned about low income individuals and families living in mobile home parks. Orange County has a significant number of mobile home parks and mobile homes throughout the County. There are over 4,000 mobile homes in the County. There was a Working Group formed. It is comprised of representatives from the Town of Chapel Hill, from a developer in Carrboro, Self Help, Habitat, the Health Department through the Family Success Alliance and the Housing, Human Rights and Community Development department, along with the Orange County Planning Department. She stated that the work group presented their recommendations to the BOCC, November 20, 2017 and the BOCC accepted the recommendations and asked for some additional information and approved what the Working Group submitted. The four recommendations are: (1) create a revolving loan fund for mobile home park owners who would like to expand or improve existing parks. (2) Utilization of existing funds for urgent repair and single family rehabilitation. Grants from HOME or NCHFA can't be used; it will have to be County funds only. These funds are for anybody who owns a home in Orange County with low to moderate income; it can help to replace or repair mobile homes. The County plans to apply to DENA for state funds for the disposition of old and abandoned mobile homes as those funds become available again; (3) identifying and acquiring property to develop a mobile home park or mixed housing development and (4) investigating the potential utilization of The Green Tract near the Rogers Road Community. It is co -owned by Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the County. This Work Group continues to meet and will address the BOCC's request for a Rapid Response Strategy. Ms. Hampton stated that other states have looked at residents buying the mobile home parks in some instances. There are approximately 200 parks across 14 states that are now under resident controlled ownership. The survey is on the County Website and copies will be provided. ■ BOCCs Approval of Award of Surplus Property to Habitat of Orange County Ms. Hampton provided copies of the surplus properties that are available and the two parcels that are owned by the Orange County Housing Authority. There were three proposals: (1) Centre for Homeownership; (2) Habitat of Orange County; and (3) RTA Triad. The Committee reviewed and ranked the applications. Centre for Homeownership withdrew their application and one applicant was not responsive. Ms. Hampton plans to have Application Workshops in the future to ensure that the scoring and rating and ranking criteria are understood so that competitive proposals can be submitted. This RFP was released at the same time as the Affordable Housing Bond Program's RFP in early 2017. The successful applicant, Habitat of Orange County, is looking at developing three or four new single - family homes for individuals between 30 -65% of the median area income. This is an ongoing revitalization effort on Odie Road where Habitat had already acquired approximately twenty parcels. The Town of Hillsborough is putting in funding to address street paving. Habitat asked for $90,000 to help with other infrastructure costs. The money is contingent on other conditions and they have to provide a finalized plan and County staff has to review and approve the revised plan before the $90,000 can be disbursed. Request for VASH Vouchers Ms. Hampton stated that an application was submitted for VASH Vouchers for veterans. Ms. Hampton invited the Advisory Board to a meeting with landlords on November 30, 2017. This 2 meeting is to hear from the landlords and get their comments on how we can work together to enhance the program and tell them about HUD requirements. On December 13th and 14th, the Department will have an Engagement Briefing for our voucher holders so they can understand what their responsibilities are and to hear changes that are coming up in 2018. ■ Update on the NCHFA Grants (Urgent Repair and Essential Rehab) Renee Holmes stated that money was received from NCHFA for essential single - family rehab and urgent repairs. Twenty -six applications were received for essential family rehab and thirty - two applications for urgent repair. The applications were evaluated and ranked. The Rehab Specialist is looking at the properties to see if they meet the requirements for rehab and urgent repair. The maximum income level for urgent repair applicants is 50% of the area median income and 80% for essential single - family rehab applicants. ■ HOME Program 2017 -2018 Application Cycle Ms. Holmes explained the HOME Investment Partnership Program. Money is received on an annual basis from HUD for HOME. The money can be used for rehab, tenant based rental assistance and down payment assistance. Non - profits apply for the funds and applications are due on February 6, 2018. Ms. Holmes stated that there will be orientations for people who are interested in applying for CDBG, HOME and Human Services funding. The County participates in a join application process with the Town of Chapel Hill. ■ Other Housing Updates Ms. Hampton shared that the BOCC's Public Hearing for the HOME Program and other community development needs is scheduled for December 4, 2018 and invited Advisory Board members to come. This is a needs assessment to update the annual Action Plan and the programs under HOME. The Affordable Housing Coalition is having an Affordable Housing Summit on January 5, 2018 at the Chapel Hill Public library. Annual Advisory Board Action Plan Ms. Hampton distributed copies of the Annual Report /Work Plan that was submitted last year and asked the Advisory Board members to submit information in order to complete the form for 2017. Election of Officers The Nominations Committee of the AHAB Board met and brought back the following slate of candidates: Keith Cook, Tammy Jacobs, Ellie Kinnaird and Mae McLendon for potential chair. There was not a quorum and this item was tabled until the next meeting Other Business Angela Rockett shared a flyer from Central Piedmont Community Action explaining funds they have available that will assist with past due rent, utilities, educational support, books, tuition, employment placement, housing placement, etc. 3 The next meeting will be January 9, 2018. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Angela Rockett, Administrative Assistant Housing, Human Rights and Community Development 51