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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-12-2024; 2 - Discussion on Affordable Housing Bond-Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Scoring Matrix 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 12, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 2 SUBJECT: Discussion on Affordable Housing Bond/Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Scoring Matrix DEPARTMENT: Housing ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 2023 Bond/CIP Scorecard Blake Rosser, 919-245-2490 Presentation on Recommendations PURPOSE: To review and discuss the incorporation of stakeholder feedback from the 2023 Requests for Proposals (RFP) process into the Affordable Housing Bond/Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Scoring Matrix to create a more transparent, equitable, relevant and effective process going forward. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Housing Department received feedback both during and after the 2023 Affordable Housing Bond/CIP RFP process from applicants, residents on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB), and elected officials. The feedback was varied but several themes emerged across groups: • The scorecard was confusing and subjective, with poor definitions at times. • The scorecard unfairly penalizes repair and rehabilitation projects. • The scorecard does not sufficiently account for past performance of applicants. • The scorecard does not sufficiently reward housing for 60% AMI (area median income) and below. • The scorecard does not sufficiently target residents with disabilities. • The scorecard does not correctly value leveraging and repayment to County. • The scorecard does not sufficiently reward Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH). To that end, Housing staff drafted proposed changes to the scoring process as outlined below. Changes are broken down by categories on the current 2023 scorecard: • General Changes o Include Affordable Housing Advisory Board in an advisory and support role. Shift scorecard responsibilities to an interdepartmental work group. Staff scores will be presented to AHAB for comment before presenting to BOCC. o Add 10% CIP carve-out for Repair and Rehabilitation, advancing stated Master Aging strategic priorities and better supporting the existing affordable housing stock 2 (NOAH) on a per-dollar basis. A new scoring matrix will be created for repair and rehabilitation proposals to be reviewed by the Board at a later date. • Threshold Requirements: require documentation of alignment with specific Strategic Goals/Priorities (addition to current requirements is underlined) o The application is complete with all required attachments and was submitted by the established deadline. o The project aligns with local affordable housing goals, strategies, and/or adopted policies (if yes, specify the goal from the Strategic Plan or Master Aging Plan). o Funding is for an eligible activity. • Income Targeting and Special Needs: give greater priority to projects serving 60% AMI and below, which will indirectly support Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH); and add an explanation for how the project serves special needs populations. o What income range(s) and population(s) will the proposed project serve? Income Level Current Score Proposed Score 61%-80% AMI 10 10 31%-60% AMI 15 25 30% AMI or below 25 35 o Does the project target people with special housing needs? If so, how? Response Current Score Proposed Score Yes 20 20 No 0 0 The US Department of Housing and Urban Development defines people with special housing needs as disabled, elderly, veterans, experiencing homelessness, experiencing interpersonal violence, and holders of Section 8 or other vouchers. Staff determined it was not advisable to separate the population of people with disabilities for special consideration, as it could potentially violate Fair Housing standards, where people with disabilities are categorized alongside both elderly populations and families for legal protection. • Residency: delete due to difficulty screening and monitoring. Res onse Current Score I Proposed Score Yes 15 10 3 • Leveraging: Prioritize projects than can repay bond funding, and reduce the number of leveraging tiers from 6 to 4. Tiers Current Score New Tiers Proposed Score 81%-100% 0 75%-100% 0 60%-80% 3 50%-75% 5 40%-59% 6 25%-50% 10 20%-39% 9 25% or less 20 10%-19% 15 Less than 10% 20 o Project repays bond funding (Principal-Only): Increase from 3 to 10 points. Res onse Current Score I Proposed Score Yes 3 110 o Project repays bond funding (Principal + Interest): Increase from 10 to 20 points. Res onse Current Score I Proposed Score Yes 110 120 In total, the leveraging category increases from 33 to 50 points. • Building and Site Design: Reduce points for accessibility, which is required for all new construction and rehabilitation. Res onse Current Score Proposed Score Yes 20 115 • Community Design: Better define terms, make points either/or to remove subjectivity. Definitions Current Score Proposed Score Contributes to a mix of housing within Up to 3 3 existing neighborhood (no change to defintion Eliminate bonus points for aesthetic Up to 3 0 appearance. Define accessibility to needed goods and Up to 4 4 services as one 1 mile Define access to public transportation as Up to 5 5 '/2 mile Define traditionally underserved as Up to 3 3 unincorporated Orange Count In total, the community design category decreases from 18 to 15 points. 4 • Community Support/Sponsorship: Simplify to remove subjectivity Definitions Current Score Proposed Score Coordination with other Up to 6 6 organizations Intended beneficiaries involved in Up to 6 6 planning with inclusive marketing Involved in the County's Up to 4 0 Consolidated Plan process Links to other community services -Up to 4 4 In total, the Community Support category decreases from 20 to 16 points. • Developer Experience: Require additional documentation o Require documentation to establish past regulatory compliance. o Require documentation to establish past ability to meet budgets and timelines. For transparency and accountability, scorer must list the documentation provided. o Score value remains unchanged (40 points) FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with reviewing and discussing these changes in process. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 3: HOUSING FOR ALL OBJECTIVE 1. Allocate predictable funding sources to contribute or support adding to affordable housing stock. OBJECTIVE 4. Prioritize and select County-owned land and/or facilities as part of an overall plan of facilities to create crisis, bridge, low barrier, affordable, and permanent housing. OBJECTIVE 5. Review County ordinances, policies, agreements, and the regulatory processes to streamline practices, and increase opportunities and reduce barriers to construct housing. OBJECTIVE 6. Partner with public agencies to increase opportunities for public employees to buy and rent homes where they work. OBJECTIVE 7. Expand resources and invest in housing designed for our aging and disabled residents. OBJECTIVE 8. Preserve existing housing stock from disrepair and avoid displacement. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board review and discuss the incorporation of stakeholder feedback from the 2023 Requests for Proposals (RFP) process into the Affordable Housing Bond/Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Scoring Matrix. 5 Orange County Affordable Housing Bond Program Application Scoring Form 2016 Bond/2020 Funding Cycle Scorecard Instructions Move through each tab of this scorecard and follow the directions at the top of each tab. Throughout the scorecard, only enter information in green boxes;orange boxes will auto fill.Summary information will appear in the Scorecard Summary section below. Fill in the applicant name and your name below. Applicant Name: Scorer Name: Scorecard Summary Category Points Total points possible 1. Income Targeting and Special Needs #DIV/01 45 2. Local Residency FALSE 3. Leveraging 0 52 4. Building and Site Design 0 20 5. Community Design 0 20 6. Community Sponsorship/Support 0 20 7. Project Feasibility 0 30 8. Developer Experience 0 42 Total points #DIV/0! 234 6 0. Threshold requirements Place an "X"in the green box by each threshold requirement that has been met. FX The application is complete with all required attachments and was submitted by the established deadline F—IThe project aligns with local affordable housing goals,strategies,and/or adopted policies F Funding is for an eligible activity 7 1.Income Targeting and Special Needs(45 Points) What income range(s)and population(s)will the proposed project serve? Indicate the number of units serving each income range in the green boxes under"Income Targeting." Place an X in one green box under"Special Needs."Orange boxes will auto fill Income Targeting Special Needs' Number of units Prorated points Does the project serve people with special housing needs? �61-80%AMI(10 points) #DIV/0! =Yes(20 points) �31-60%AMI(1S points) #DIV/0! =No(0 points) =30%AMI or below(2S points) #D!V/0! 0.00 F-FlTota units #DIV/0! Subtotal 'Defined as people with disabilities,veterans,people experiencing homelessness,holders of Housing Choice or other vouchers,and survivors of domestic violence ####TOTAL POINTS 8 2. Local Residency(5 Points) What percentage of the proposed project will provide housing for Orange County residents? Place an 'Y'in one green box by the appropriate percent of targeted units. Orange boxes will auto fill. Percent of current Orange County residents'at sale or lease-up �0-50%(0 points) �50-80%(2 points) �80-100%(5 points) FALSE TOTAL POINTS Defined as households currently residing or working in Orange County or having resided in Orange County 9 3. Leveraging (52 points) To what degree does the proposed project include other sources of funds? Use the space below to calculate leverage,then place an "X"in one green box by the appropriate leveraging ratio. Orange boxes will auto fill. Percent Funded by County Funding Other Criteria =81-100% (0 points) =Project pays property taxes(2 points)' =60-80%(3 points) These two are mutually exclusive=Project repays bond funds-principal only(3 points)' =40-59%(6 points) These two are mutually exclusive=Project repays bond funds-P+1 (10 points)' =20-39%(9 points) =Project is mixed-income(10 points)Z =10-19%(15 points) =Project is mixed-use(10 points)3 =< 10%(20 points) 'These criteria do not apply to nonprofit sponsored projects Subtotal ### Subtotal Z Meaning it serves more than one income range(including market rate)and minimizes geographic conentration of affordable units Caculate leverage County funds (including Bond request) 'Meaning it includes non-residential uses that offer access to employment daily needs,and health and human services Other funds(non-County) Percent County funding ##### =TOTAL POINTS 10 4. Building and Site Design (20 points) Assign a number of points in the green boxes below according to your best judgment. You may provide a narrative explanation for each. Narrative Project incorporates sustainable design elements, such as smaller building sizes, use of local/recycled building materials, energy efficient features,' LED lighting,water conservation fixtures, efficient HVAC systems, etc. (up to 5 points) OProject provides handicap accessibilty and/or incorporates Universal Design (up to 5 points) Project incorporates sustainable community and environmental design elements, such as flexible lot design, low impact development, storm water controls, reduced impervious surface areas, natural or drought-resistant landscaping, or any other additional element that would serve to minimize negative environmental impacts, as Orange County regulations allow (up to 5 points) Project is connected to water and sewer service, will connect to existing service, or will use a community well and sewer system consistent with water and sewer boundary agreements and local standards (up to 5 points) TOTAL POINTS Project meets/excceds NCHFA energy criteria: https://www.nchfa.com/sites/default/files/page attachmentslQAP20FinalAppendixB.pdf 2See: https://www.wbdg.org/design-objectives/accessible/beyond-accessibility-universal-design 11 S. Community Design (20 points) Assign a number of points in the green boxes below according to your best judgment. You may provide a narrative explanation for each. Narrative Project contributes to a mix of housing within existing neighborhood (up to 3 points) Bonus points for building appearance, quality of construction, compatibility with surrounding housing, ability to foster a sense of a secure community, and contribution to neighborhood revitalization and/or affordable housing preservation (details must be provided by applicant (up to 5 points) Project is accessible to services such as healthcare, schools, groceries, etc.(up to 4 points) Public transportation, to include a bus route or on-demand service (or equivalent), and related facilities are available (e.g., bus shelters, accessible stops, etc.) (up to 5 points) Project is located in an area of the county traditionally underserved by housing development (up to 3 points) F0 TOTAL POINTS 12 6. Community Sponsorship/Support (20 points) Assign a number of points in the green boxes below according to your best judgment. You may provide a narrative explanation for each. Narrative =Applicant can show evidence that they coordinated with other organizations to complement/support the proposed project (up to 6 points) =Applicant can show evidence that they involved the intended beneficiaries of the project in the planning process and that the outreach and marketing plan is inclusive (up to 6 points) =Applicant can demonstrate it has been actively involved, or describe the steps it will take to become actively involved, in the County's Consolidated Planning process to identify and address a housing need related to the proposed project(up to 4 points) =Applicant has developed, or can demonstrate plans to develop, links with other community activities to provide holistic community services (up to 4 points) E0 TOTAL POINTS 13 7. Project Feasibility (30 points) Assign a number of points in the green boxes below according to your best judgment. Applicant can demonstrate site control,zoning compliance,and timely and feasible construction schedule (up to 10 points) Funding(other than County funding) is in place at time of application (up to 10 points) Applicant presents a proposed budget and financial model appropriate based on reasonable assumptions (up to 10 points) F0 Total points 14 8. Developer Experience (40 points) Assign a number of points in the green boxes below according to your best judgment. Applicant has experience carrying out comparable projects to that proposed and has met regulatory compliance for previous projects(up to 10 points) Applicant has a proposed team with demonstrated development, managerial,and financial management capabilities in prior projects(up to 10 points) Applicant and team members have a successful record of meeting proposed budgets and timelines(up to 10 points) F—IProject sponsor is a nonprofit housing provider(up to 10 points) F0 Total points 15 ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING DEPARTMENT Affordable Housing Bond/ CIP Scoring Matrix Recommendations November 12, 2024 16 Stakeholder Concerns Process and Scorecard confusing and subjective Leveraging and repayment to county needs to be reevaluated The following criteria and/or projects need more prioritization : Repair/rehabilitation projects Applicant past performance/accountability Housing for 60% AM I and below Residents with disabilities Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH ) nORANGE COUNTY � HOUSING DEPARTMENT 17 General changes to process Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) will not score projects ARAB scored projects for first time in 2023 Scoring shifts back to staff interdepartmental work group Staff will present scores to AHAB for comment before BOCC Add 10% CIP carve-out for Repair/Rehabilitation New scoring matrix will be created for repair/rehabilitation proposals, to be reviewed by the Board at a later date. Simplify scorecard, prioritize 60% AMI or below projects, assess applicants' past performance, and streamline monitoring/evaluation ORANGE COUNTY � HOUSING DEPARTMENT 18 Scorecard changes Old Points New Points i Threshold Requirements Require documentation of alignment with specific Strategic NIA. Plan Goals/Priorities Income Targeting and Special • Add greater weight to 60% AMI and below 80% AMI: 10 10 Needs • Require explanation for how project serves special needs 60% AMI: 15 25 populations. 30% AMI: 25 35 • Considered specifically targeting people with disabilities, but Fair Housing concerns raised Residency Delete due to difficulty screening and monitoring 5 0 Leveraging • Prioritize projects that can repay bond funding 33 50 • Increased points from 3 to 10 and 10 to 20 for projects that can repay Principal , or Principal + Interest, respectively • Simplify number of tiers from 6 to 4 • New Tiers for percent of project County-funded: 75-100%: 0 pts 50-75%: 5 pts 25-50%: 10 pts 0-25%: 20 pts Building/Site Design Remove points for accessibility (modern requirement) 20 15 19 Scorecard changes Old Points New Points pop �VL -AN&- i Community Design Better define terms: 181, 15. "Accessibility to needed Goods and Services" = Min 1 mi "Access to Public Transportation" = Min '/2 mi "Traditionally underserved" part of the county = unincorporated Orange County • Change point awards from "up to" to either/or in order to increase objectivity • Eliminate bonus points for aesthetic appearance Community Change point awards from "up to" to either/or in order to 20 16 Support/Sponsorship increase objectivity • Delete criterion of participation in Consolidated Plan Developer Experience Require additional documentation, and that documentation 40 40 be listed by scorer ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING DEPARTMENT zo Please contact County Manager or Housing Director with questions Blake Rosser brosser@orangecountync . gov 919-245-2492 ORANGE COUNTY � HOUSING DEPARTMENT