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Staff Update on the Petition to Implement Strategies to Rapidly Promote Increased Production and Availability of Affordable and Missing Middle Housing
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Staff:
Department:
Sarah Osmer Vinas, Director
Affordable Housing & Community Connections
Colleen Willger, Director
Planning
Nate Broman-Fulks, Affordable Housing Manager
Affordable Housing & Community Connections
Judy Johnson, Assistant Director
Planning
Emily Holt, Affordable Housing Development Officer
Affordable Housing & Community Connections
Overview: On September 22, 2021, Council Members Stegman, Parker, Buansi, and Huynh submitted a petition directing staff to implement strategies to rapidly promote increased production and availability of affordable and missing middle housing. This item provides an initial response to the petition, including a draft work plan, scopes of work, timeline, and resource needs for implementation.
Recommendation(s):
That the Council receive this update on the Housing Petitions submitted on September 22, 2021.
Proposed Work Plan
Staff have assembled a draft work plan and scopes of work (attached), which outlines key action steps, the assigned department leading the task, and potential partners, timelines, and resource needs, as well as notes on progress achieved to date. The work plan is organized around the following two primary strategies, consistent with the petition:
1. Expedite and incentivize production of affordable and missing middle housing
* Create new application pathway for missing middle housing
* Create an expedited review process for affordable housing development
2. Increase availability and affordability of rental units
* Refine Town's definition of affordable rental
* Increase acceptance of housing vouchers in Chapel Hill
* Work with UNC and UNC Healthcare on potential Master Lease Program
The workplan builds off related work already under way, including:
* Researching best practices implemented in other municipalities to expedite the...
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