ATTACHMENT 1
1. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity requests $250,000 for infrastructure development costs for the Phoenix Place subdivision located in the Rogers Road neighborhood. Representatives from Habitat for Humanity attended the Council’s February 4 and March 23 Public Forums requesting full funding for this request.
Habitat for Humanity requests $60,000 to provide deferred payment zero-interest second mortgages for three homes located in the Fairview neighborhood in Hillsborough. Each qualified buyer would receive a $20,000 second mortgage. Homes would be sold to households earning less than 60% of the area median income.
Comment: The recommended plan includes $208,534 for the request for funds for infrastructure development, and $60,000 for the request for second mortgage funds. We recommend that any additional HOME Program funds received above the anticipated amount be allocated to Habitat. The recommended 2009-2010 Community Development plan includes $200,000 for this request.
2. Housing for New Hope
Housing for New Hope, a non profit organization based in Durham, requests $50,000 of HOME Program funds to provide rental assistance to 25 individuals for three months. Some recipients may need assistance for less time. In-kind contributions for services to support the clients’ housing needs will also be provided. Terry Allebaugh, Executive Director of Housing for New Hope, attended the March 23 Public Forum to voice support for the preliminary recommendation.
Comment: The recommended plan includes $50,000 for this request.
3. Inter-Faith Council for Social Services
The Inter-Faith Council (IFC) requests $300,000 of HOME Program funds for infrastructure and pre-development costs for the construction of a men’s transitional housing facility. The new facility, located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, would provide 50 beds as well as staff offices, meeting areas and a medical clinic for homeless residents. Chris Moran, Executive Director of the IFC attended the March 23 Public Forum to support the preliminary recommendation.
Comment: The recommended plan includes $185,000 for this request. IFC would also use $75,000 of previously awarded HOME program funds. The recommended Community Development plan includes $65,000 for these expenses.
4. Orange Person Chatham Area Program
Orange Person Chatham Area Program (OPC) requests $200,000 to perform necessary repairs and rehabilitation on 23 rental properties currently owned by the Chrysalis Foundation for Mental Health. The Chrysalis Foundation will no longer be providing services. A portion of these funds, $9,000, would be used to provide a cash match for HUD Supportive Housing Program grant that provides funding for operational support for implementation of supportive housing programs.
Comment: The recommended plan includes $162,000 for this request.
5. Orange Community Housing and Land Trust
Orange Community Housing and Land Trust requests $100,000 to assist buyers with purchasing Land Trust homes in Orange County. The majority of homes will be located in the Chapel Hill / Carrboro area. Executive Director Robert Dowling made a general request for HOME funds at the Council’s February 4, 2009 Public Forum. Mr. Dowling also attended the March 23 Public Forum to support the preliminary recommendation.
Comment: The recommended plan includes $100,000 for this request. The recommended Community Development plan also includes $53,661 to support this request.
The Land Trust also requests $30,000 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 $30,000 for this request. 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.
6. Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association and the Coalition to End Environmental Racism
Minister Robert Campbell submitted a request that the County coordinate with the Town to develop an application for Community Development and HOME Program funds to finance a construction project to connect residents of the Rogers-Eubanks community to OWASA water and sewer services. Minister Campbell also attended the March 23 Public Forum to: 1) support full funding for Habitat’s request; and 2) request that funds be provided to connect Rogers Road residents to water and sewer services.
Comment: Infrastructure activities such as water/sewer line construction can only be funded with HOME dollars in conjunction with a new construction project. Therefore, using HOME funds for the extension of water/sewer services to an existing neighborhood such as the Rogers Road community is not an eligible HOME program activity. Though Community Development funds could be used for this purpose, we recommend that we work with Carrboro and Orange County to develop a coordinated plan for funding this project.