Title
Vote to adopt a Resolution approving the March 2025 Housing Trust Fund recommendations from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, which includes a recommendation to award $120,000 to Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing development and $20,000 to Preserving Home for home preservation
Abstract
Introduction & Background: The Housing Trust Fund (“HTF”) supports the development and preservation of affordable housing in Chatham County. Since its inception, the Fund has facilitated the investment of over $2,000,000 in new housing construction and rehabilitation of existing owner-occupied housing. In sum, the fund has supported the creation or maintenance of over 400 units.
Applications for new Housing Trust Fund awards were collected from February through March of 2025. Members of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee reviewed those applications and discussed and evaluated applications at the April meeting. Based on their evaluation, the committee voted to recommend the following:
• Funding for Habitat for Humanity in the amount of $120,000 to support infrastructure development for the Roberts Run affordable townhome project. These funds will be disbursed once Habitat for Humanity has received appropriate entitlements and permits.
• Funding for Preserving Home (formerly known as Rebuilding Together of the Triangle) in the amount of $20,000 to provide home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy efficiency upgrades for low-income residents.
Further details on the recommended award can be found in the “Discussion & Analysis” section of this abstract.
Discussion & Analysis: The March 2025 Housing Trust Fund application cycle provided an irregular second opportunity to award funds to qualified projects, as $140,000 remained unallocated following the prior application cycle, which concluded in December. Two applications were submitted, totaling $280,000. These applications were reviewed by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee in a process facilitated by staff according to published scoring criteria. In formal review, the Committee came to a consensus that both merited an amount of funding, with consideration for prior awards.
Habitat for Humanity applied for funds to support infrastructure development in the future Roberts Run affordable townhomes development. This infrastructure phase will support the construction of essential infrastructure, including grading, site preparation, water and sewer extensions, roads, and utility connections. These components are vital to preparing the site for construction and ensuring that all 72 homes have reliable access to core services. In total, Habitat for Humanity estimates that total costs will total $1.5 million. This award from Chatham County will also encourage engagement from future donors by indicating the confidence the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and this County have in this project. Habitat for Humanity has agreed to defer receipt of those funds until building permits and other entitlements have been received, as funds will not be of use to the organization until then. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommends that the Board of County Commissioners provide funding in the amount of $120,000 to Habitat for Humanity.
Preserving Home (formerly known as Rebuilding Together of the Triangle) applied for funds to provide home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy efficiency upgrades homes owned by low-income households in Chatham County. Preserving Home leverages multiple public and private funding sources to ensure that residents have safe and quality homes, and a Housing Trust Fund award allows greater flexibility and for more comprehensive services for residents. In consideration of their service to households in this county, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommends that the Board of County Commissioners provide funding in the amount of $20,000 to Preserving Home.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: The proposed awards and recommended action advance two Comprehensive Plan goals. These recommendations advance goal 9, “Provide equitable access to high-quality education, housing and community options for all,” by providing a direct investment in housing access for low-income members of the Chatham County community. Funds directed to Rebuilding Together of the Triangle will extend the useful life of owner-occupied housing, thus preventing displacement or increased housing costs. The Strategic Housing Effort Account will expand opportunities to research necessary housing interventions in the county and encourage equity in decision-making on affordable housing topics. Investment in housing preservation also advances goal 8, “Become more resilient by mitigating, responding and adapting to emerging threats.” By investing in home improvements, accessibility upgrades, and energy-efficient systems, housing across the county will be more resilient, consume less energy, and produce fewer emissions.
Budgetary Impact: Approving the HTF award recommendations will have an impact of $140,000 on the Chatham County Housing Trust Fund. $300,000 was approved for use in the Housing Trust Fund awards with the adoption of the FY2025 operating budget, and $160,000 was allocated for use in December. As the sum of this recommended amount and prior awards is equal to the full Trust Fund amount, no net budgetary impact will be realized.
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to adopt a Resolution approving the March 2025 Housing Trust Fund recommendations from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, awarding $120,000 to Habitat for Humanity and $20,000 to Rebuilding Together of the Triangle.