HomeMy WebLinkAboutAHAB Minutes 101221 Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Board Minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Virtual Meeting
Members Present: James Eichel, Allison Mahaley, Mae McLendon, Saru Salvi, Jenn
Sykes (Chair), and Paul Voss
Members Absent: Olivia Fisher, Dion Graham (excused), Holly Meschko (excused),
Arthur Sprinczeles (excused), Tim Woody and Keith Cook
Staff Present: Corey Root (Housing and Community Development Director), Erika
Brandt (Housing and Community Development Manager), Maria Dewees (Housing and
Community Development Specialist), Anna Blanchard (Community Development
Specialist)
Public: Hunter Beattie
I. Call to Order/Introductions:
Chair Sykes called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM
II. Approval of the September 14, 2021 AHAB Meeting Minutes:
The AHAB voted unanimously in favor of approving the minutes.
III. Board Member Updates:
Chair Skyes announced that the Town of Hillsborough will soon be discussing by-
right density and the possibility that developments with 50% or more affordable units
would have increased density by-right.
Ms. McLendon reminded the Board that early voting starts October 13 in
Hillsborough and on October 18, in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Times are shorter than
in "on" years and locations have changed. She encourages everyone to do their
research on what candidates are saying about affordable housing.
Mr. Eichel noted that Justice United ranked affordable housing as their first priority
this year. They are also continuing to work in mobile home communities.
Chair Sykes noted that she has been hearing from business owners in Hillsborough
who are interested in becoming more-involved advocates for affordable housing. Of
note, many businesses are struggling to hire employees to work early morning shifts
because many employees cannot afford to live in Hillsborough.
IV. Old and New Business
a. AHAB Vacancy Update
Ms. Dewees announced that the Board currently has three vacancies. Four previous
applicants are still interested and the Clerk's office has put out a call for additional
applications. With the upcoming holidays, it may be a few months before the seats
are filled. In the next month, the AHAB can nominate members through an online
poll.
b. Elect Vice Chair
With Douglas Boemker's resignation from the board, the vice chair position is
vacant. Chair Sykes noted that Ms. Fisher is the second vice chair and that the
Board will assume Ms. Fisher will be the new vice chair. Chair Sykes and Ms.
Dewees will confirm with Ms. Fisher that she is willing to serve in this role.
c. Update on Outside Agency Funding and Process
Ms. Dewees presented an update on the annual outside agency funding process.
The Department is in the process of sending out the final funding agreements with
performance metrics. Organizations funded are CEF, Center for Community Self-
Help, Community Home Trust, EmPOWERment Inc., Habitat for Humanity of
Orange County, and Rebuilding Together. Many of the performance measures in the
funding agreement are quantifiable and measured progress can be shared
throughout the year for increased transparency with the AHAB Board.
d. Community Development Programs Update (slide deck attached)
Ms. Brandt and Ms. Dewees provided an update on three of the Community
Development programs: Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA), HOME-ARP, and
Emergency Housing Assistance.
The Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) Program was created in response to
community advocacy and concern about systemic racial inequities related to
property taxes.
Orange County homeowners who have experienced an increase in their county tax
bill can apply to receive help paying the increase in the County portion of the bill.
The program covers the increase in County taxes, not the entire bill or any taxes
from other jurisdictions. The awards through the LHA program will be applied directly
to the tax bill.
Ms. Mahaley asked staff if these funds are available to people who are
undocumented. Staff noted that the application does not ask about immigration
status, so if they are otherwise eligible, it should not be an issue.
Mr. Eichel and Chair Sykes voiced concern about recent property tax increases in
the Town of Hillsborough and inquired if the towns were doing anything to address
property taxes. Ms. Root noted that she is not aware of any similar programs at the
Town level.
Orange County was awarded nearly $1.4 million in HOME-ARP funds. Funding can
be used through September 2030, which allows time to identify and fund larger
capital projects.
The Orange County HOME Consortium will need to amend their FY2021-2022
Annual Action Plan to describe housing needs, qualifying population in the County,
and proposed uses for the HOME-ARP funds.
Chair Sykes asked more clarification around which supportive services are eligible
for funding through HOME-ARP. Ms. Dewees explained that this is a broad term
defined in Federal Notices. Eligible costs include child care, education services,
employment assistance and job training, food, housing search and counseling
services, legal services, life skills training, mental health services, financial
assistance, case management, etc.
The Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Program has served over 1,883
households since March 2020. Staff continue to work with the Eviction Diversion
Program and expedite applications for people with an imminent court date. There is
free legal assistance available for residents with an eviction case or who are facing
the threat of eviction. Since the eviction moratorium ended, court cases have not
dramatically increased, but have held steady. The EDP program is seeing more
filings for people with small amounts due.
EmPOWERment, Inc. held two virtual listening sessions in June 2021 to garner
feedback on the EHA program. Most applicants had a positive experience and
constructive feedback was noted and implemented when possible. Staff continue to
disseminate information to the public about EHA. Revised flyers have been posted
that set clear expectations about the application process and timeline.
e. Orange County Housing Authority Update (See slide deck attached)
Ms. Root reported that the Housing Authority has 643 vouchers, 551 of which are
under lease. She noted that finding affordable units is difficult and there are
recipients with vouchers in hand, some for over a year, that have not secured
housing. The Housing Authority has been able to offer extensions due to COVID.
The Housing Access Coordinator position and the Landlord Incentive Program
continue to assist voucher holders in securing housing.
The County will receive 19 additional Emergency Housing Vouchers for individuals
experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or fleeing domestic violence.
Emergency Housing Vouchers are a component of ARPA funding that provide more
vouchers all across the U.S. The vouchers are similar to tradition Housing Choice
Vouchers, but also come with a $3500 service fee for flexible housing costs,
including furniture.
Chair Sykes noted that COVID has resulted in more people becoming disabled and
asked if there are plans for addressing the issue of affordable housing for disabled
residents. Ms. Root noted that the department has not yet addressed the issue but
will connect with DSS and other partners to start the conversation.
f. Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH) Update (see
slide deck attached)
OCPEH work falls in three areas: Coordination, funding, direct service. Direct
Service started April 2020: Housing Helpline, Housing Help Rapid Re-housing
(helping to recruit landlords), Housing Access & Preservation, & Street Outreach,
Harm Reduction and Deflection (SOHRAD).
The Housing Helpline has seen a steady increase in call and email volume. On
average for this year have served 551 households each month.
Ms. Salvi inquired about the relationship between increased direct service
interactions and the creation of the Housing Helpline and whether increased direct
service interaction could be attributed solely to COVID-related housing issues, or if
the Housing Helpline could also contribute to this increase. Since the Housing
Helpline went live right before the pandemic begin in March 2020 and widespread
rental assistance was not available before COVID, it is difficult to assess this metric.
Of note, the vast majority of callers are experiencing COVID-related housing
problems and vast majority need emergency rental assistance.
On the topic of furniture of people exiting homelessness, Ms. McLendon suggested
having someone from the Furniture Project present to the board. Ms. Root noted that
while the Furniture Project is a great resource in the community, they are not able to
serve all who reach out to them.
Through the HOME committee, Orange County prioritizes clients according to need.
To date, there have been 116 households exited to housing in 2021 .
For perspective, 87 families exited to housing in 2020.
Ms. Root commended the many programs in Orange County that work together to
make this possible.
Adjournment —The meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM.
Submitted by Maria Dewees, Community Development Specialist