Housing GSO: HRA Greensboro Affordable Housing Plan

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY

NOTES | Community Engagement Meetings

February 2020 Site Visit Follow-Up Key Stakeholder Meeting Takeaways

Brokers & Lenders o Strong interest in a mini-mortgage consortium for $50K and below earners. o Interest in a grant/loan program for energy efficiency programs – we will tease out language in the report to more clearly speak to energy efficiency. o Supportive housing services need to funded, or supportive housing doesn’t work – creates undue burden on property management staff. Planning Dept. o Edits to recommendation language for public land policy and infill program is reflected below. o We will add mention within the Plan that building more housing is a solution to housing affordability. o We will add language about the theory and economics of neighborhood reinvestment. GHA o GHA has two 9% and one 4% application in the NCHFA pool right now. o GHA will meet with Stan and Cynthia about total financial need in the coming weeks. o We will add bonding capacity, 9% pipeline, and land swaps to the list of things that should be discussed between the City and GHA. Nonprofits & Community Leaders o Stakeholders voiced that coordinating with County is essential; there is strong feeling that the City needs to take over the CoC, as they have capacity to manage the system. o There is a shortage of small housing units, stakeholders suggested that perhaps stock of 2bed/1bath housing can be reinvested in as starter homes. o More feedback that Nussbaum fund should be re-directed towards funding housing. o Consideration of a design charette for each neighborhood. o High Point has done a good job of coordinating with the County re: public land. Vulnerable Populations o Stakeholders echoed desire for the County to be more at the table for the CoC. The County has made comments that housing is not in their wheelhouse – they feel like their responsibility is education. o Currently have improper case management for supportive housing, due to lack of funding. Housing first must be properly funded. Nonprofits + Affordable Developers o There is trepidation from affordable developers that requiring deeper affordability may make Guilford County less competitive in the region for 9% awards. Phillip explained that additional requirements for very-low income units will be backed by additional funding. o “Target neighborhoods” is not the appropriate language to describe the process of choosing neighborhoods to pilot reinvestment efforts. (We have edited this language, reflected below in final recommendation language) o Concern was raised that changing DPA program design will shift investment outside of Greensboro, to similarly priced areas with more amenities. o Lack of supportive service infrastructure for existing state-mandated supportive units was echoed. Stakeholders raised issues including: little funding available for service providers, poor oversight, and lack of referrals.

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