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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 10-17-23; 5-b - Public Hearing on Close Out of CDBG-CV Grant for Emergency Housing Assistance 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 17, 2023 Action Agenda Item No. 5-b SUBJECT: Public Hearing on Close Out of CDBG-CV Grant for Emergency Housing Assistance DEPARTMENT: Housing ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Libbie Hough, Community Stability Manager, 919.619.7116 PURPOSE: To hold a public hearing on closing out Orange County's Federal Community Development Block Grant — Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds. BACKGROUND: On August 25, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced the availability of $28 million from federal Community Development Block Grant — Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding to be disbursed by the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) to support rental and utility payments and prevent evictions for those with a demonstrated need. Orange County applied for the CDBG-CV funds to be used with the County's existing Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) fund, which provides financial assistance to help Orange County residents with low incomes secure and maintain stable housing. Assistance was available to households in Orange County that earn no more than 60% of the area median income and had an urgent need for housing assistance. The total amount awarded to Orange County was $900,000. In accordance with closing out the grant, Orange County must hold a public hearing to obtain residents' comments about the program's impact and how it was administered. In addition to this public hearing, residents had from September 15 through October 15, 2023 to submit comments to the Housing Department's Community Stability Manager, Libbie Hough, via email, in writing, or by phone. (In January 2023, the program instituted a cap of $6,000/calendar year and moved to assisting households in Orange County that earn no more than 30% of the area median income, except in the cases of eviction, utility disconnections, and exiting homelessness. Since July 2023, income has not used to qualify for assistance; however, the household must document notice of eviction, imminent utility disconnection, or that they are exiting homelessness. These changes were made 2 as funding for the program depleted CDBG-CV funds and transitioned to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.) Municipal updates - County EHA staff served as the program administrators for CDBG-CV awards given to the Town of Carrboro and the Town of Hillsborough. This meant that clients applied for assistance from the County, and the County invoiced the Towns for those expenses. County CDBG-CV funds covered the Town of Chapel Hill as the town is a CDBG direct service recipient and could not draw down further assistance. - The Town of Carrboro has expended all funds ($900,000) and is currently in its close out process. The Town of Hillsborough will have expended its funds by this fall ($600,000) and begin its close-out process thereafter. Unique households served: Many households applied multiple times throughout the life of the grant. Locality CDBG-CV ARPA HOPE Lifetime Total Households Orange County 228 400 75 703 Carrboro 198 562 120 880 Chapel Hill 173 1,119 160 1,452 Hillsborough 215* 84 69 368 Funding Stream 814 2979* 424 Total Households Totals 3,403* *Numbers will increase by end of 2023 Minutes from this hearing will be approved by the BOCC at an upcoming meeting. The approved minutes along with any comments provided to the Housing Department (Libbie Hough) during the required 30-day window will be submitted along with all close-out documentation to the North Carolina Department of Commerce in November. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Orange County has expended the $900,000 it received. Ninety percent of the funds were used for direct service Emergency Housing Assistance needs, and 10 percent of the funds were used to administer the program. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY 3 The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There are no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts applicable to this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board conduct the public hearing and accept comment on Orange County's use of CDBG-CV funds used for Emergency Housing Assistance.