HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2019-026 Proclamation Recognizing Robert Dowling ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING
RODERT DOWLING ,
RETIRING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , COMMUNITY HOME TRUST
WHEREAS , Robert Dowling , after serving as a banker in the private sector , moved to
Orange County , North Carolina , with his wife , Bethaney Dale ; and
WHEREAS , in 1995 Mr . Dowling embarked on a second career in community
development and joined Hayti Development Corporation , an affordable housing
nonprofit in Durham , and in 1997 , after a brief time on its Board , joined Orange
Community Housing Corporation as Executive Director ; and
WHEREAS , in 2001 , under the leadership of Mr . Dowling , Orange Community Housing
Corporation merged with the Community Land Trust in Orange County , which had been
established in 1999 with the support of the Town of Carrboro , Town of Chapel Hill , and
Orange County , and which today is known as Community Home Trust ; and
WHEREAS , throughout his distinguished career , Robert has helped ensure that more
than 300 homes in the Carrboro - Chapel Hill area are permanently affordable to people
earning less than eighty percent of the area median income ; and
WHEREAS , today the Community Home Trust manages a total of 322 affordable single
family ground leases and rental apartments , with a staff of 10 and a budget of nearly
$ 1 . 1 million ; and
WHEREAS , Mr . Dowling has served as a faithful advocate , representing both
Community Home Trust and the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition at
affordable housing tables and before elected bodies , making the case for such policies
and investments as A Penny for Housing , the Orange County Affordable Housing Bond ,
and a Pilot Master Leasing program ; and
WHEREAS , Robert ' s work in Orange County has ensured that neighborhoods are
diverse and thriving and sustained as such for generations to come ; and
WHEREAS , Mr . Dowling is retiring from Community Home Trust on December 31 ,
2019 , after 22 years in service to our communities , and will be missed ,
NOW THEREFORE , we , the Orange County Board of Commissioners , do hereby
recognize and express deep appreciation and respect for the services rendered by
Robert Dowling to the Orange County community , and wish him well in his retirement .
This the 2nd day of December 2019 ,
Penny Rich , Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners