Attachment 1
HOME Program Review Committee Report
Summary of Comments from Public Forum and Applications for
2008-2009 HOME Program Funding
1. Community Alternatives for Supportive Abodes (CASA)
CASA requests $232,619 of HOME Program funds to be used for costs associated with the renovation of ten one-bedroom apartments on Pritchard Avenue Extension in Chapel Hill.
Comment: CASA also requested $232,619 of Community Development funds for this project. The recommended Plan includes $$435,225 of HOME Program funds for this project. The recommended Community Development plan includes $30,000 for this request. If funding from both sources is approved, this request would be fully funded. We believe that CASA’s proposal compliments the current efforts underway to end chronic homelessness and supports the statements and action in the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Orange County.
2. EmPOWERment, Inc.
EmPOWERment Inc. requests $21,500 of HOME Program funds for pre-development costs for property located in the Pine Knolls neighborhood. EmPOWERment intends to build a three bedroom home on the site to be sold to a household earning less than 80% of the area median income.
EmPOWERment also requests $75,000 of HOME Program funds to renovate rental properties it owns and other properties it manages on behalf of Affordable Rentals, OPC Mental Health Association.
Comment: The recommended Plan does not include funding for these projects. EmPOWERment could request the Consortium to consider reallocating funds that were previously allocated to the organization for other activities to fund the application for pre-development costs. The Committee does not recommend funding for the proposed rehabilitation program at this time because the scope of work included in the application was not clear.
3. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity requests $300,000 to provide deferred payment zero-interest second mortgages on fifteen homes throughout Orange County that would be built in 2008 and 2009. Each qualified buyer would receive a $20,000 second mortgage. Homes would be sold to households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income.
Comment: The recommended Plan includes $120,000 for this request. This amount would allow Habitat to provide assistance to six homebuyers.
4. Town of Hillsborough
The Town of Hillsborough requests $56,250 of HOME Program funds to construct infrastructure to make sewer service available to 32 existing homes and facilitate construction of 6 new houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
Comment: The recommended HOME Program Plan matches the request for $56,250.
5. Orange Community Housing and Land Trust
Orange Community Housing and Land Trust requests $150,000 to assist buyers with purchasing Land Trust homes in Orange County. The majority of homes will be located in the Chapel Hill / Carrboro area. The Land Trust made a general request for HOME funds at the Council’s January 30 and March 26, 2008 Public Forums.
Comment: The recommended Plan includes $100,000 for this request. The recommended Community Development plan also includes $100,000 to support this request.
The Land Trust also requests $55,000 to assist with operating costs associated with HOME-funded developments. Funds would be used to support staffing needed to manage the increased volume of activity that is expected of the Land Trust as a result of inclusionary housing policies.
Comment: The Committee’s recommendation includes $33,000 for this request, the maximum allowed under federal regulations. Because the Land Trust meets the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s criteria for designation as a Community Housing Development Organization, it can receive a maximum of 5% of the HOME Program grant for operational support for HOME assisted projects.