The Orange County Board of Commissioners discussed changes in work requirements for Food and Nutrition Services, formerly known as food stamps, and updates in the affordable housing plan in their meeting on Tuesday.
Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents are people on food stamps between the ages of 18 and 49 who are not responsible for minors and are not determined to be disabled. Starting Jan. 1, an estimated 1,500 people who fall into this category will have to work a certain number of hours a week in order to continue receiving benefits.
Notices were sent out last Wednesday, but since many recipients are homeless, there is no guarantee they have received notification or that they comprehend the implications of the new policy.
"It would be terrible for someone to go out and try to buy food and have their Food and Nutrition Services card declined," said Commissioner Barry Jacobs.
Orange County has already approved funding for employment training, but cannot ensure that training will lead to a job for each participant. Other details such as verification for self-employment, seasonal employment and the requirement that the employer is a nonprofit pose further barriers that will need to be resolved.
"This is an attack on the neediest people in the community by federal and state governments," said Commissioner Mark Dorosin.
The board was later presented with updates on the Affordable Housing Plan. The 2015-2016 budget includes $1 million to fund affordable housing alternatives.
Audrey Spencer-Horsley, the county's director of Housing, Human Rights and Community Development, presented plots of land totaling over 100 acres all of which have access to water and septic systems, as well as reasonable topology for building affordable housing units.
One of the most viable forms of alternative housing is mobile homes. Around 4,400 mobile homes are divided among 100 mobile home parks in Orange County. The board is looking for a more comprehensive analysis of the number of open lots, as well as the level of safety and satisfaction among residents.
"I don't want to just talk to owners, I want to talk to people who actually live there," Dorosin said. "It's not just about filling spaces. There are lots of unsatisfied residents, and we need to improve life as it is now."
Changing zoning laws to increase the number of residences permitted on one property would allow more alternative housing options.
"We have to change zoning, it's not a state thing," said Commissioner Penny Rich. "We are our own enemy right now."
Noteable:
Tiny Houses — homes on wheels that average 75-200 square feet in size — could become an affordable housing alternative if the board alters zoning laws.
Quotable:
"This is the continuing war against poor people," Dorosin said.
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