HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-13-2005-5kORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date:
December 13, 2005
Action Agen~da//
Item No.
SUBJECT: Habitat for Humanity - Challer
DEPARTMENT: Housing/Community Dev
Grant
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N)
No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Letter from Habitat INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tara L. Fikes, ext 2490
PURPOSE: To consider awarding $5,000 from the Affordable Housing Tn~st Fund to Habitat
far Humanity for land acquisition for future affordable housing development.
BACKGROUND: The County has received the attached request from Habitat for Humanity for
a grant of $5,000 as a contribution to assist in meeting a local foundation fundraising challenge.
The local foundation, The Stewards Fund, has challenged Habitat to raise $150,000 in gifts and
pledges restricted for land acquisition in order to receive a matching gift of $150,000. Funds
must be raised between October 1, 2005 and .lanuary 16, 2006. This challenge is an "all or
nothing" proposition and represents the first challenge grant received by Habitat designated for
land acquisition only.
As indicated in the letter, fiands raised will be used to help purchase and develop properties
along Purefoy Road in Chapel Hill, two lots on Terrell Street in Hillsborough, and 18 lots on
Tulip Tree Road in Hillsborough. The funds will also be used to help fund the future purchase
and development of additional land for affordable housing. Habitat supporters have raised
$115,000 toward the $150,000 challenge amount according to Executive Director Susan Levy.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is approximately $90,940 available in the County's Affordable
Housing Trust Fund. This expenditure will leave a balance of $85,940.
RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board award $5,000 from the
Affordable Housing Trust Fund to Habitat for Humanity for land acquisition for future affordable
housing development.
~-~'~ '° Habitat for Humanity a
~ Orange County, NC, Inc.
1829 E. Franklin St. #120DB • Chapel Hill, NC 27514 • (919j932.7D77, rAx (919)932.7079 • info@orangehabitat.org
December 7, 2005
John Link
County Manager
Dear Mr, Link:
The two main challenges to Habitat's ability to build more homes is the lack of land, particularly in the
southern part of the county where most Habitat applicants and current homeowners work, rnrd raising
signifrennt fords to purchase and develop [acrd. A local foundation, The Stewards Fund, is stepping up
to help Habitat purchase land to build on now, and in the future.
Between October 1, 2005 and January 16, 2006, Habitat must raise $150,000 in ig fts, erants, and
pledges restricted for land to receive a matching_gift of $150.000 from the Stewards Fund. If Habitat
falls short of the $150,000 goal, Habitat will receive nothine from the Stewards Fund and a critical and
unique opportunity will be lost. Habitat for Humanity of Orange Count quests a Qrant of $5,000 to
help meet the Stewards Pund Challenge.
All gifts and pledges must be received by January 16, 2006 in order to be counted towards the $150,000
goal.. Pledges received by January 16, 2006 will count as long as the pledge commits to be paid in full
by the end of the year 2006 (i.e., December 31, 2006).
We all know a child needs food, a safe home, health care, education, and love to grow and thrive.
Unfortunately, parents in Orange County who work in the service industry or as day care teachers,
hospital staff, or as construction workers have an extremely difficult time providing a safe, decent home
for their children, Those that manage to do so spend the majority of their income on rental housing,
leaving little left over for other necessities like food and clothing.
Habitat for' Humanity of Orange County offers one of the few opportunities they have to own a home
and to begin to pull themselves up economically. Amore secure and stable home leads to better grades
in school, better employment, and a higher education level in both children and in their parents. To date
over 130 families call a Habitat home their home,
Currently I-Iabitat supporters have raised $115,000 toward the $150,000 challenge amount.. If
successful, funds raised from the Stewards Pund Challenge will be used to help purchase and develop
properties along Purefoy Road in Chapel Hill, 2 lots on Terrell Street in Hillsborough, and 18 lots on
Tuliptree Road in Hillsborough.. They will also be used to help fund the future purchase and
development of land..
All hardworking parents deserve the opporttnity to provide their children with a safe, stable home and
the other necessities of life. Help Habitat purohase land today and build better fives for the future.
In Partnership,
Susan Levy,
Executive Director