TITLE: Title
HOME Consortium FY 2014-15 Funding Program Design
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to consider resolution for funding of HOME program design for FY 2014-15
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
CONTACT INFORMATION: Annette D. Stone, ECD Director
919-918-7319
INFORMATION: Consolidated Housing Plan Annual Action Plan
In 2010, a Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs in Orange County was developed and approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This document details the housing needs of very low income, low income and moderate-income families and special population groups in addition to outlining the strategies and plans for addressing those needs. The Consolidated Plan is required for all communities receiving HOME funds (Orange County HOME Consortium) and CDBG entitlement funds (Town of Chapel Hill). The Town of Carrboro is a member of the Orange County HOME Consortium.
Local communities are required to submit an Annual Action Plan for the Consolidated Plan to the State HUD Office by May 15th. Public hearings were held by the Orange County Board of Commissioners on February 4, 2014 to receive citizen comments regarding the updated 2014-2015 HOME Program Action Plan prior to development and subsequent submission to HUD.
Public comments received at the hearings are summarized in the Annual Action Plan.
A public comment period as required by HUD was established for April 14, 2014 and May 14, 2014 by notice in the Chapel Hill Herald. Copies of the Annual Action Plan were made available at the Orange County Housing, Human Rights and Community Development Main Office.
2013-2014 HOME Program Activities
The current Orange County HOME Consortium Agreement establishes a HOME Program Review Committee to provide general oversight of the program. Participants in the HOME Consortium are Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. The Committee is authorized to provide policy oversight for planning, operations, and evaluation of OHC and the HOME Program. The Manager or his/her designee from each participating unit of local government and one (1) elected official from each jurisdiction shall be a member.
The HOME Program Review Committee prepares a proposed HOME program design each year and consortium program application to HUD, in compliance with the Act, the Regulations, and the Federal Program Requirements, including reallocation of any funds from previous years not expended or any repayments or other program income consistent with this Section. The proposed HOME program design defines a strategy in sufficient detail to accommodate the collective and individual needs and priorities of the County and Towns. Each year's proposed HOME program design and the consortium program application should be consistent with the Consolidated Plan and is subject to the approval of each consortium member's elected board.
This year, as required by the Consortium Agreement, the HOME Program Review Committee reviewed applications for HOME Program funding and developed the proposed HOME Program Design for the 2013-2014 Program Year. A total of seven (7) applications were received from local non-profit organizations requesting approximately $623,374. There is approximately $450,317 in HOME funds; HOME program income and HOME Program match funds available for Fiscal Year 2014-2015. The recommended program design is detailed in the attached resolution.
In accordance with the Orange County HOME Consortium Agreement approved in May 2011 the annual HOME Program Design must be approved by all jurisdictions prior to submission to HUD. The Consortium Agreement is up for renewal and will be automatically renewed unless the County is notified otherwise by any of the Consortium members. This year Carrboro is approving this Program Design ahead of Orange County due to meeting schedules. The Board of County Commissioners are scheduled to consider this item on May 8, 2014.
HOME Program Implementation
After approval of the 2014- 2015 HOME Program design by all consortium participants, authorization is also requested to allow the Orange County Manager to execute agreements with partnering non-profit organizations as necessary to implement the approved HOME Program design. All agreements will receive the review and approval the County Attorney's office.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: The Orange County HOME Consortium is scheduled to receive approximately $450,317 in FY 2013 HOME Program. The required total local government match is $79,097. Carrboro's share of the match is $11,865 which will be allocated from Town's general fund. There is also $19,680 in HOME program income, again for a total allocation of $450,317 available for programming next fiscal year.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends the Board consider approving the HOME program design and adopting the attached resolutions.