Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nicole Andersen outlines CDBG and HOME advisory committees, explains income rules for affordable units
Summary
At a May 18 meeting of the Education and Economic Development Committee, Nicole Andersen, Director of Community Development, described the membership and role of the county's CDBG and HOME advisory committees and clarified that households exceeding AMI are not evicted from affordable units; landlords must market the next vacancy as affordable.
Nicole Andersen, Director of Community Development for Orange County, told the Education and Economic Development Committee on May 18 that the county's CDBG and HOME advisory committees serve primarily as liaisons to the County Executive and selected local officials and that they meet infrequently to review projects or changes.
"The CDBG Advisory Committee is a liaison to the County Executive, two mayors, two supervisors, two legislators," Andersen said, describing committee composition and role. She said the HOME Advisory Committee includes similar representation "to the County Executive, a mayor, a supervisor, a legislator and a representative from the cities." The presentation was supported by a PowerPoint filed with the Legislative Office Clerk.
Legislator Jonathan Redeker asked whether tenants who increase their earnings could lose eligibility for affordable units, asking whether people could "price themselves out" by getting a better job. Andersen replied that "once you go over the AMI for that year, you are not being kicked out," and explained that the program expects landlords to make the next vacant apartment available at an affordable rate; tenants would continue to pay no more than 30% of household income, including utilities.
Committee members pressed on appointment and attendance practices; Andersen said advisory panels generally attend when projects are under review but do not meet regularly. The update did not include new funding allocations. The committee did not take formal action on the presentation; staff materials are on file with the Legislative Office Clerk.
