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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAHAB minutes 100819 Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Board Minutes Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm 6:00 PM Orange County West Campus 131 West Margaret Lane, Room 204 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Members Present: Keith Cook, Chair, Tammy Jacobs (Vice Chair), Douglas Boemker, James Eichel, Eleanor Kinnaird, Mae McLendon, Adejuwon Ojebuoboh, Cain Twyman Members Absent: Alison Brown, Allison Mahaley (excused), Jennifer Moore, Noah Oswald (excused), Blake Rosser, Arthur Sprinczeles (excused), Jenn Sykes (excused) Public in Attendance: Olivia Fisher Staff Present: Emila Sutton, Director; Diane Beecham, Community Development Specialist I. Call to Order/Introductions—Chair Keith Cook called the meeting to order at 6:18 pm. He asked the new members that were recently appointed to introduce themselves. Jim Eichel stated that he was originally from South Dakota and has been in this area for 40 years. He has been in the construction industry and is now the construction manager for CHT. He also serves on the Orange County Commission on the Environment. Adejuwon Ojebuoboh stated that he is a freshman at UNC majoring in business. He said that since high school he has always been involved in local government politics and wants to be involved here to have a tangible impact on the community. It was discussed that Mr. Cook that was the force behind the AHAB meeting in different areas of the community to make people more aware of AHAB's charge and activities and to hear from community members about their issues and concerns regarding affordable housing. II. Message from the Chair — Mr. Cook stated that four AHAB members, including himself, went to the all-day fair housing training with the Human Rights Commission on September 21't Stella Adams was the facilitator. III. Updates from Board Members— Ms. Jacobs stated that the September AHAB meeting held in Efland was not as well-attended as they would have liked, but people were glad that they came. Ms. Kinnaird added that the meeting was particularly on point for the couple that came who are going to be evicted and were looking for resources to help them. Ellie Kinnaird reported on the fact that some communities are looking to eliminate zoning that allows only for single-family homes, and instead also require denser housing types including duplexes, triplexes and quadraplexes. She does not think this type of zoning would get much support in Orange County. Also, Carrboro is contemplating allowing for accessory units in its residential zoning districts. Lastly, the rural buffer needs to be revisited [in order to allow for Page 1 more residential development, including affordable housing]. It essentially serves as a big park for Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents. Adejuwon Ojebuoboh reported that there will be a conference held on November 22nd at the Kenan Center on private sector strategies to build more affordable housing. He will send to the Advisory Board the link to the conference. Cain Twyman reported that she and Blake Rosser attended the Affordable Housing conference in Raleigh. One of the sessions was on creative housing options which included the fact that Chatham County is doing a lot with tiny homes. She also attended a session on fair housing and also one on home ownership options. She will send an email to AHAB members about what she learned at the conference. Ms. Kinnaird asked about whether it is more expensive to develop tiny homes as opposed to say a quadraplex because with the tiny homes, each one has to have a separate foundation, walls and roofs. Jim Eichel responded that the contractor can reduce the costs by is by developing the tiny homes all in the same way; essentially the "cookie cutter" approach. Ms. McLendon said that there needs to be zoning and building codes that are specific to tiny homes. Also, there is a trend toward the construction of smaller homes. Habitat is building smaller homes for senior than they used to. Mr. Cook stated that different communities are doing very different things to accommodate more housing. In California, people are buying and living in sheds and shipping containers so to be nearer to their jobs. IV. Remarks from New Director, Emila Sutton Ms. Sutton stated that she most recently came from the NC Housing Finance Agency and was there for seven years doing primarily evaluation and analysis of funding for affordable housing in the state. She did a lot of impact analysis, particularly studying the linkage between stable housing and health. Prior to that she worked in the homelessness sector to include direct service provision, program design and administration, and policy work. She's worked in affordable housing for 15 years. Ms. Sutton stated that she was attracted to working with local communities because they often have more creative strategies to deal with housing issues than can often be found at the state level. For example, she has been involved with UNC and CEF to develop a web portal whereby CEF and any citizen access listing of affordable housing. Also, Ms. Sutton had been working on incentives to encourage landlords to be listed on the portal, which is attended to make it more attractive to landlords than say,just listing their unit on craigslist. UNC is mapping areas identified as "high opportunity" and want to be able to direct voucher holds to housing in this area, rather than have it concentrated in "low opportunity" areas (i.e. areas that have higher Page 2 rates of crime, lower rate of education, etc.). UNC is now conducting focus groups whereby facilitators are asking people in different demographic groups what are the considerations that are most important to be considered a high opportunity area, such as the quality of schools. Keith Cook stated that the Advisory Board would like to be included in this this in some way. Mae McLendon stated that it would be great if we could have a representative from the study come to a meeting or have Board members attend one of their presentations. VII. Annual Report/Work Plan [The final Annual Report/Work Plan was submitted to the BOCC as follows: NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Affordable Housing Advisory Board Report Period: 2019-2020 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ANNUAL REPORT/WORK PLAN FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS The Board of Commissioners appreciates the dedication of all the volunteers on their boards and commissions and welcomes input from various advisory boards and commissions throughout the year. Please complete the following information, limited to the front and back of this form. Other background materials may be provided as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, this form. Board/Commission Name: Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) Person to address the BOCC at work session-if applicable-and contact information: Keith Cook, Chair (919) 302-4177 Kdc529aol.com Primary County Staff Contact: Emila Sutton, Director, Department of Housing and Community Development (919) 245-2490 esutton@orangecountync.gov How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special meetings and sub-committee meetings? Generally, the Advisory Board meets once a month, excluding the month of July. The Board may elect to have two meetings during March or April in order to review the applications relating to the County's Outside Agencies Funding Program. Furthermore, the AHAB may meet additional times during a month depending on need or as it sees fit in order to carry out its work. Meeting locations alternate between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill with the Page 3 exception that starting in 2019, the AHAB has begun to schedule meetings in locations throughout the County. This past year, the AHAB held one subcommittee meeting as it relates to planning for a joint meeting with other affordable housing advisory boards in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Other subcommittees will be formed and meetings will be held as the Advisory Board plans to enhance its role of advising the Board of County Commissioners. Brief Statement of Board/Commission's Assigned Charge and Responsibilities. The Affordable Housing Advisory Board is to advise the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) on affordable housing issues and work to increase the community's awareness of, understanding of, commitment to and involvement in producing and maintaining sustainable affordable housing. The AHAB also explores new and/or innovative affordable housing strategies and new funding opportunities in order to make cogent recommendations to the BOCC, as well as monitors the progress of local housing programs. During 2020, the Advisory Board will work to enhance its response to its charge and expand the implementation of its responsibilities. A representative from AHAB sits on the Application Review Committee for the County's Affordable Housing Bond and Surplus Properties programs. In addition, AHAB participates in the review of housing-related applications for the Outside Agencies Funding Process. What are your Board/Commission's most important accomplishments? In 2019, AHAB's notable accomplishments include the following: • Providing comments for inclusion in the FY2015-2019 Consolidated Plan's Annual Action Plan update for the HOME Program and other community development needs. • Participating in the joint meeting of the Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative and the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition held on August 27, 2019. • Participating in the Fair Housing Training on the scope and coverage of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance sponsored by the Human Relations Commission. • Providing ongoing input on the County's Manufactured Home Park Initiative and continued support of the County's Risk Mitigation and Housing Displacement Fund. • Participating in the annual NC Affordable Housing Conference. • Participating in the Human Relations Commission's Community Book Read Program, highlighting Evicted by Matthew Desmond. • Scheduling an Advisory Board meeting in Efland to garner community input on the County's needs and priorities. • Promoting increased awareness of and communication with non-profit organizations by attending their meetings to learn more about their program and services and provide this information to the AHAB members at their regularly scheduled meetings. This past year, AHAB members attended meetings of the Partnership to End Page 4 Homelessness, EmPOWERment, Community Empowerment Fund, Town of Hillsborough Planning Board and the Town of Hillsborough Water and Sewer Board. List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually. • Review and provide comments on the FY2015-2019 Consolidated Plan's Annual Action Plan Update and Performance Report (CAPER). • Monitor accomplishments of the Affordable Housing Bond and other County housing programs. • Review outside funding requests/applications from organizations providing housing services. • Educate the community on affordable housing needs and resources and related partnerships with the towns, public agencies, nonprofits, civic and for-profit organizations. (This is primarily done informally by individual members through their civic engagement activities in their respective communities.) Describe this board/commission's activities/accomplishments in carrying out BOCC goal(s)/priorities, if applicable. The AHAB advises on and supports BOCC's affordable housing initiatives, goals and priorities. The tasks, activities and events described in the preceding sections of this report and annual work plan support the BOCC's established goal to ensure a community network of basic human services and infrastructure that maintains, protects and promotes the well-being of all County residents and the priorities of providing decent, standard housing options for all residents regardless of household income level; and developing explicit plans to inform bond expenditures and other BOCC affordable housing funding. Describe the collaboration relationship(s) this particular board has with other advisory boards and commissions? The AHAB plans to work more collaboratively with the Orange County Housing Authority to entice more landlords to accept housing vouchers. The Advisory Board also plans to work with the Orange County Planning Board on applicable housing issues and with the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness, IFC and OCIM to address County homelessness issues. Also, it looks forward to working with the Human Relations Commission in developing the update to the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, which will take place in 2020. In addition, AHAB still looks forward to working more closely with the Affordable Housing Advisory Boards in the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, as well as to continue to expand its relationship with the Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative. If your board/commission played the role of an Element Lead Advisory Board involved in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan preparation process, please indicate your board's activities/accomplishments as they may relate to the Comprehensive Plan's goals or objectives. (The Element Lead Advisory Boards include: Planning Board, EDC, OUTBoard, Commission for the Environment, Historic Preservation Commission, Agriculture Preservation Board, Affordable Page 5 Housing Advisory Board, Recreation and Parks Advisory Council) The Advisory Board will continue to ensure that its collaborations, activities, initiatives and advice to the BOCC will be in furtherance of the overarching housing goal as identified in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan: Opportunity for all citizens of Orange County to rent or purchase safe, decent, accessible and affordable housing. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2020 as they relate to established BOCC goals and priorities. If applicable, is there a fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities (please list). During 2020, the AHAB plans the following activities: • Sponsor an interactive bus tour with predetermined stops that showcase the housing needs in the unincorporated and incorporated areas of Orange County. • Monitor State and community efforts regarding navigator or other housing consolidation resources, such as NCCARE360, and evaluate and recommend potential County engagement or support. • Continue to have County funding recipients meet periodically with the Advisory Board to provide updates on their progress. • Continue to schedule Advisory Board meetings in locations throughout the County to garner community input on affordable housing needs and priorities. • Explore additional affordable housing training opportunities for AHAB members. • Continue to expand outreach to the community, such as meeting with representatives of school and religious institutions; identify potential partnership opportunities with other affordable housing-affiliated organizations; and scheduling AHAB meetings at various locations in the community. • Develop a standardized PowerPoint presentation that can be used by AHAB members at community meetings. • Have a representative or representatives attend the 2020 NC Affordable Housing Conference. • Enhance the Advisory Board's website to include additional information about the Board's activities as well as updated information, such as meeting agendas and minutes. • Participate in the planning process to develop the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan as a requirement for HOME and CDBG funding. What are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming year that it plans to address, or wishes to bring to the Commissioners' attention? • Gentrification • Rural Buffer Review • Greene Tract Page 6 • Manufactured Home Park Potential Closures • Acquire New Sources of Funding to Mitigate Affordable Housing Challenges in the County • Expand Utility Assistance Programs that Provide Funds for Utility Deposits and Connections • Continued Funding for Local Housing Vouchers • Attract More Landlords to Accept Housing Vouchers Vill. Updates from the Department of Housing and Community Development a. Local housing choice voucher program update Diane Beecham reported that the there was a briefing held on the local housing choice voucher program in late June and the application process is completed with 200 households on the waiting list. At this time, no one has been pulled from the waiting list and provided a voucher. b. Affordable housing bond update Emila Sutton reported that the Merritt Mill project did not receive 4% low income housing tax credits (LIHTC) during the last grant award so will now apply for the N LIHTEC. If that is not approved, then CASA will explore other strategies. c. 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan Ms. Sutton reported that work on the new five-year Consolidated Plan will move forward. The Department plans on advertising soon for the Community Development Manager position, which will be essential to the Consolidated Planning process. The HCV Manager position will also be advertised. IX. Old and New Business a. New members/retreat [This item is postponed. The Director will work with Mr. Cook and Ms., McLendon on the retreat. Mr. Cook and Ms. Twyman will work on the new member orientation.] b. Schedule Annette Moore regarding project collaborations on evictions [Mr. Cook said that he will contact Ms. Moore to invite her to an upcoming meeting.] c. Discuss next date and location for meeting in the community [Mr. Cook will discuss the agenda and next community meeting date with the Director. Since it is difficult to secure a meeting space, the Board decided not to be limited to their regularly scheduled meeting date of the second Tuesday of the month for the next community meeting. d. Recommendation of Olivia Fisher as at-large member Page 7 Diane Beecham reported that Alison Brown has been removed from the Board for not attending the meetings. Ms. Fisher will be reappointed to the Advisory Board by the BOCC in November. VIII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. Submitted by Diane Beecham, Community Development Specialist Page 8