10. October 2022 minutes
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY-CITY OF WILMINGTON WORKFORCE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
October 5, 2022 | REGULAR MEETING
Committee Members Present: Sharm Brantley, Liz Carbone, Tom Gale, Melanie James, Krysti
Keser, Eric Knight, Katrina Knight, Katrina Redmon, Edwrin Sutton
NHC Staff Present: Tuffana Bradley, Katie Burket, Rachel LaCoe, Sarah Lipkin Sularz, Theo
McClammy, Pam Robbins
City of Wilmington Staff Present: Chianti Johnson, Suzanne Rogers, Tanita Wallace
Others: Nina Herzog
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:07 PM by Chairperson Brantley and a quorum was
established.
Agenda Approval and Minutes
Mr. Eric Knight made a motion to approve the meeting agenda, seconded by Ms. Katrina Knight
and adopted unanimously. Ms. Knight made a motion to approve the September 7, 2022,
minutes, seconded by Mr. Knight and adopted unanimously.
Public Comments
Nina Herzog commented on the housing coalition display boards and how they can be made more
impactful. She also commented that single room apartments rates are still rising and are going
to force people to leave the region. She would like to speak directly to the BOC and requested
they attend future meetings.
Ms. Knight reminded her of the committee’s role and limitations. The WHAC is an advisory
committee; not all the recommendations are adopted by the elected officials.
New Business
Item: Sub-Committee Updates
Education and Awareness
• The subcommittee met on October 5, prior to the regular meeting.
• Billboard to push message of awareness for Phase One with a website and social media
campaign to follow.
• Compliment work by Cape Fear Housing Coalition, and wider understanding of housing
needs.
• New program ideas and incentives concepts.
• Full meeting minutes are attached.
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RFP Update
• Six proposals were received through the request for proposal process for a total of $6.3
million and 289 new and/or rehabilitated units.
• A cross functional team of county staff and a subcommittee of the WHAC recommended
two projects at $1.5 million each for the construction of 156 new units.
• The BOC approved funding allocations at their October 3rd meeting.
• Staff is requesting process feedback for future cycles.
Item: Strategy Work Session on Goal Setting
NHC Strategy Department staff will attend the November 2nd WHAC meeting.
Ideas to include:
• Need for a framework and a work plan
• Sidbury road NHC is putting in infrastructure, can we leverage fast track for affordable
problems?
• Community partners loan pool is expanding how it can be incorporated.
• Intersectionality of how topics layer and effect people who experience homelessness.
Announcements
• GAP applications closed. Mr. Theo McClammy updated group on application review
status.
o Received 1,543 applications.
o Goal to approve 90 applicants by October 21st.
• The December WHAC meeting will be in 230 Government Center Drive, Conference
room 500.
• City of Wilmington is hosting a breakfast to recruit rehab contractors on October 25th
from 8:30-9:30 AM at 305 Chestnut Street. More information will be sent out via email.
• City of Wilmington received $9 million gap financing for the Starway Project.
• City of Wilmington announces increased rehab amounts and “HOP Together” program.
Includes counseling, and education for additional down payment assistance upon
completion.
Adjourn
Mr. Knight made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Gale, all in favor. The
meeting was adjourned at 4:01 PM.