Chatham County approves $300,000 in Affordable Housing Trust Fund awards for preservation and new units

Chatham County commissioners approved Jan. 16 the recommended awards from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the 2023–24 cycle, allocating a total of $300,000 to two projects: a $75,000 award to Habitat for Humanity for a Hadley Mills townhome project in Siler City (four living units within a townhome footprint) and a $225,000 award to Rebuilding Together of the Triangle to fund preservation work estimated to assist about 58 homes in Chatham County.

Brian Thompson presented staff recommendations and explained that the competitive pool for this cycle totaled requests of roughly $838,000 while $300,000 was available for grants. Staff said the $300,000 allocation is funded from $250,000 of operating revenues in the annual budget plus a $50,000 supplemental allocation from Article 46.

Thompson described the Habitat request as targeted at enabling four affordable units in a multi-unit townhome footprint as an efficiency measure for the nonprofit. The Rebuilding Together award was presented as a housing-preservation investment that would assist dozens of owner-occupied homes with repairs and safety upgrades. Two other applicants were not recommended in this competitive cycle; staff said county staff will continue to work with those applicants outside the competitive round.

Commissioners asked for follow-up strategic information about how Trust Fund awards fit into broader county housing goals; staff said a strategic funding outlook and planning effort with partners is underway. A motion to approve the award recommendations and authorize execution of contracts passed by voice vote.

The board directed staff to proceed with contracts and follow normal reporting and monitoring requirements for Trust Fund awards.