HOME initiative faces cuts

A program that helps low income Orange County residents acquire affordable housing has seen about half its budget cut this year.

For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Orange County Consortium is receiving about $383,000 for the Home Investment Partnership Program — a 51 percent decrease in funds from last year.

Tara Fikes, housing, human rights and community development director for the county, said that last year the funds helped about 70 households but the number varies.

The decrease in funding could keep some low-income families from being able to afford a suitable place to live.

Based on county estimates, about 43 percent of renters in Orange County spent more than 35 percent of their income to pay rent.

“We will not be able to provide as many programs as we have in the past,” said Fikes. “There will be fewer people that we will be able to serve.”

The program aims to help low income residents by developing affordable housing — houses and rental units that cost less than 35 percent of monthly income. It also helps renovate homes and assists first-time home buyers.

At Tuesday’s Orange County Board of County Commissioners meeting, nonprofit organizations and residents voiced opinions on HOME funds allocation.

In the past, the program has helped local non-profits to provide affordable housing.

“Over the years, HOME funding has been a critical factor in Habitats home building efforts. We’ve built close to 215 homes throughout Orange County using HOME funds,” said Susan Levy, executive director for Orange County’s Habitat for Humanity.

Groups encouraged the board to allocate funds for the program, but recognized that resources — which have come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the past — are limited.

“We have taken a real careful look at what we need,” said Robert Dowling, executive director of Community Home Trust.

Besides asking for less funding, organizations are coming up with other ways to limit cost and maximize affordable housing.

“We continue to use volunteers to keep our costs as low as possible,” Levy said. “Habitat support staff knows that we are going to have to work extra hard this year.”

Despite cuts, organizations hope to continue providing affordable housing to those who need it.

“It is about making sure everybody no matter where they have come from, no matter where they are living and where they have been, they get affordable living,” said Delores Bailey, executive director of EmPOWERment Inc.

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