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72 <br /> <br /> Mr. Bill Wanner of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, said that <br />Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Housing Opportunities Made Equal <br />(HOME) funds received by the region are required to be considered in the Consolidated <br />Plan. Mr. Wanner suggested that the Cooperative Housing Statement, which emphasizes <br />the need for affordable rental properties, rehabilitation of substantial homes and <br />assistance for first time home buyers, be included as part of the Plan. <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened but as there were no speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox noted that the funds are very limited, especially as distributed in equal <br />parts. Mr. Cox said that Piedmont Housing Alliance has been very successful in <br />leveraging their funds and asked if there is any indication that other localities are trying <br />to leverage other funding. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wanner said that funds are leveraged for the first time home buyers program. <br />Mr. Wanner said he anticipates making CHDO funds competitive for a big project. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty said she feels that rental goals should be specifically stated in the <br />plan for all localities, and Mr. Wanner noted that 25 total new rental units have been <br />listed as goals in the Plan by localities. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels the measurable objectives for the year are incredibly low <br />and feels it would be helpful to have something to compare them to. Mr. Cox said an <br />insignificant number of rental units are proposed in other localities which is why he is <br />interested in the issue of leveraging other funds to address the need. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Wanner said that Greene and <br />Louisa Counties have approved the Consolidated Plan. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he expects that the City would be awarded funds in a <br />competitive bid because of its ability to leverage funds and because it knows what to do, <br />but Mr. Wanner said he does not necessarily feel that would be the case. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked why there is such a small percentage of funds for rental <br />homes, and Mr. Wanner said it recognizes the need to rehabilitate substandard homes. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she is encouraged that Piedmont Housing Alliance is the <br />regional CHDO and she thinks they will mentor well with other agencies. She said she is <br />gratified by the efforts of localities to get other funds. Ms. Richards pointed out that the <br />Plan documents the mobility of poor famiIies into Charlottesville and she said hopes the <br />issue will be reopened when 2000 census data is received as the City is absorbing a lot of <br />poor families from other localities. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked if this is the first time the Cooperative Housing Statement has <br />been folded into the over-all Plan, and Mr. Wanner said it is and it is first time they have <br />set measurable goals. Mr. Wanner said that the difficulty in increasing affordable <br />housing with limited funds is a reality in every community. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he thinks a strategic solution is to integrate affordable housing units <br />into market housing rather than segregating it, and said that funds could be used as an <br />incentive for the private sector to do this. <br /> <br />Mr. Wanner said this is being explored by DISC. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that Albemarle County has been trying this approach but it has <br />not been working well. Ms. Richards said the goal of the Planning District Commission <br />is to use standardized measures to help track situations. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked if criteria will he brought back to the Planning District <br />Commission for approval after it is developed, and Mr. Wanner said it will be. <br /> <br /> <br />