HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-05-2003-9d3ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 5, 2003
Action Agend
Item No. 9-~ ~
SUBJECT: Orange Community Housing and Land Trust (OCHLT) Board of Directors
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
OCHLT Info Sheet
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk's Office, ext. 2130, 2125, 2126, 2129
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 245-2130
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider an appointment to the Orange Community Housing and Land Trust
(OCHLT).
BACKGROUND: The Orange Community Housing and Land Trust was created in July 2001
as the result of merging two existing non-profit organizations: OCHC -Orange Community
Housing Corporation and CLTOC -Community Land Trust in Orange County. A community land
trust (CLT) keeps housing affordable for future generations by controlling the price owners
receive when they sell their homes. The CLT model was created in the 1970s; there are
presently over 120 CLTs throughout the United States.
Since 1991, Orange Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) had created a variety of rental
and owner-occupied housing, focusing on families and individuals with income levels at or
below median income in Orange County. Its operational funding was provided by the four local
governments of Orange County, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, the Town of
Hillsborough and Orange County Government.
In 1999, the CLTOC was established to provide opportunities for low and moderate income
households to secure decent, affordable housing and keep it permanently affordable utilizing
the community land trust model. CLTOC was staffed by OCHC and partnered with OCHC to
develop the first land trust project, the Legion Road Townhomes in Chapel Hill.
With the support of both organizations and the four local governments, OCHLT was formed in
order to achieve greater operational and fiscal efficiency, as welt as a strengthened mission and
purpose regarding affordable housing.
The OCHLT has an 18-member Board of Directors with one appointed by the BOCC. Mr.
Wayne Kuncl, the former Board President, was appointed May 8, 2002 as the BOCC
representative. However, because of a recent internal adjustment of the OCHLT membership,
Mr. Kuncl is now serving in a Board seat reserved for the general population, and the seat
reserved for the BOCC is now vacant. The BOCC may fill this seat with one of its own
members.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION: Consider making an appointment to the Orange Community
Housing and Land Trust as the Board may decide.
„ =~~r~-3t1L 2; 2 ova
Orange County Commissioners Office
c.o. Clerk of the Board
PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC, 27278
Dear Orange County Commissioners:
This letter is to notify you of our upcoming annual meeting and board
elections, at which time the Orange County Board of Commissioners may
appoint a new representative to serve on our board. The annual meeting will
be on October 9t at the United Church of Christ. An invitation with more
details will be sent to you soon.
In order to prepare for the annual meeting, we would like to know at this time
whether you plan to appoint a new representative to our board for the coming
year. At present, I am serving as Oran e C_ounty's representative, and I would_
be happy to continue in this role if needed
Enclosed is some background information about our board and the
responsibilities of board members. If you are planning to appoint a new
representative, please notify me by September 15th. I may be reached at
(919) 967-2275. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Wayne Kuncl
President
Orange Community Housing and Land Trust
Orange Community Housing and Land Trust
Information for Board of Directors members
Some background
Orange Community Housing and Land Trust (OCHLT) was created in July 2001 as the result of
merging two existing non-profit organizations. Since 1991, Orange Community Housing
Corporation (OCHC) had created a variety of rental and owner-occupied housing, focusing on
families and individuals with income levels at or below median income in Orange County. Its
operational funding was provided by the four local governments of Orange County, the Town of
Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and the Town of Hillsborough. In ].999, the Community Land
Trust in Orange County (CLTOC) was established to provide opportunities for low- and moderate-
income households to secure decent, affordable housing and keep it permanently affordable
utilizing the community land trust model. CLTOC was staffed by OCHC and partnered with
OCHC to develop the first land trust project, the Legion Road Townhomes in Chapel Hill. With the
support of both organizations and the four local governments, OCHLT was formed in order to
achieve greater operational and fiscal efficiency, as well as a strengthened mission and purpose
regarding affordable housing.
A community land trust (CLT) keeps housing affordable for future generations by controlling the
price owners receive when they sell their homes. It balances a homeowner's ability to develop
wealth with the community's desire to maintain a variety of housing affordable to all of its citizens.
The CLT model was created in the 1970s; there are presently over 120 C'LTs throughout the United
States.
Composition of the Board of Directors
• The Board shall represent a diversity of technical skills to enable the Boazd to make informed,
well-balanced decisions on the economic viability and social impact of its activities
• There shall be socio-economic, racial, gender and geographic diversity among the Board of
Directors
There are I8 directors, as follows
• (6] Lessee Representatives
Nominated by Lessee Members and elected by the Regular Membership
• (6] General Representatives
__~Lominatedl~y_General Members and elected. by the Regular Membership
--- --
[6] Public Representatives - _-
1 A ointed by the Orange County Board of Commission--_- ers
(1) Appointed by the Chapel Hill Town Council - " - J
(1) Appointed by Carrboro Board of Aldermen
(1) Appointed by the Hillsborough Town Boazd
(1) Appointed by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(1) Nominated and elected by the OCHLT Board of Directors, representing a local nonprofit
organization that provides housing or other services for low- or moderate-income people.
OCIILT Information for Board ojDirectors members September 2, 2003 I
._.-
• Time Commitment
Historically, the OCHLT Board has met once each month (2"d Wednesday) for 90 minutes.
Attendance at these regular board meetings is critical OCHLT's operations are complex
and require board members to stay up-to-date regarding issues facing the organization.
Board members must be willing and able to commit to a minimum average of 6-8 hours per
month. This will include not only a regulaz board meeting but also ,serving on a boazd
committee. In addition, Board members aze expected to attend an annual boazd training
(historically, 1 day in July) and an annual planning retreat (historically, 1 day in early
January).
• Board committees
Presently there are two standing committees as identified in the bylaws.
Executive Committee
Lessee Member ship Committee
We anticipate the formation of other new committees during 2002-2003 to further the work
of OCHLT, particularly in the areas of membership, fund-raising, and education/public
relations.
3. Financial commitment
Board members must be willing to make a fmancial commitment. Every Board member does
not have to contribute at the same level; we certainly recognize that some can give far more than
others. But everyone can give something. One hundred percent of the Board needs to
financially support the work of OCHLT. Asking the community to give when Board members
are not makes the organization less credible.
4. Contribution of self
Board members should bring some special talent, skill, knowledge, contact or other contribution
to the work of the boazd. This can include experience in the community being served, extensive
boazd experience, energy and enthusiasm for the work of the organization, willingness to learn
boazd skills, or technical skills such as legal or public relations know-how.
5. Willingness to serve
Board members should bring themselves to the work of the Board. They must have a desire to
serve and be willing to share their ideas, experiences, feelings, insights, fears, questions, etc.
They must be willing to read the organization's materials, ask questions, think things through,
make suggestions, and express honest feelings.
6. Facilitate
Board members must see themselves as facilitators for the organization, providing support to
staff and other Board members. They must be open to working with other people, respecting
new ideas, and taking reasonable risks.
OCHLT Advisory Committee
This Committee will be formally established at the 2002 Annual Meeting. It will be composed of
folks with a wide variety of expertise who are interested in offering their time and services to
OCHLT board and staff on a volunteer consulting basis, but are not interested in serving on a
formal board or committee. Examples of areas of expertise are construction, architecture, real
estate, legal, fund-raising, community-building etc.
OCHLT Information for Board ojDirectors members September 2, 2003 3