After a July recess, the Fayetteville City Council will resume regular meetings with a work session at 5 p.m. Monday in the Lafayette Conference Room at City Hall, 433 Hay St.
On the docket are several important topics, ranging from the results of a City Council audit, updates on affordable housing projects, a discussion of proposals for a community center on Murchison Road, the appointment of a Public Works Commission member, and a public safety update from the city manager, among other items.
According to a memo in the meeting agenda packet, the council will hear presentations from the Economic and Community Development Department about five potential affordable housing projects. With one exception, complete funding for the projects is included in the current city budget, and the city is partnering with outside developers to complete the projects.
The council began its foray into affordable housing in June 2021, when it commissioned the first affordable housing study for the city. The study found an “extreme need” for rentals for residents making 30% or less than the area median income, which was $48,923 in 2021. The study also revealed a 10% decrease in homeownership.
In June 2022, the council adapted policies that “allow for more development partners and smaller-scale rental developments,” the memo says. In July 2022, the council launched its affordable housing program. This included a notice of funding availability, opening of developer applications for projects, various project development activities, and staff training to help develop projects for the council’s review.
“For the past 12 months, staff has engaged with a variety of community stakeholders, investors, nonprofits, and developers to help educate and formulate a variety of projects,” the memo states.
Five potential affordable housing projects recommended by city administrators will be presented for the council’s review on Monday. They include:
- Step Up on Eastern: This nonprofit entity has a national track record and is partnered with an experienced developer. It proposes to acquire and rehabilitate the Night Inn at 511 S. Eastern Blvd. to provide 137 single-room occupancy units aimed primarily at people experiencing homelessness.
- Fayetteville Gardens: Orbach Affordable Housing is a nationally recognized private developer proposing to rehab 100 units of family apartment rentals that are 40 years old. The property is at 2915 Gordons Way off Raeford Road. While the project does not create affordable housing, it seeks to address ADA accessibility, energy efficiency and much needed repairs.
- Hillside Manor: Hillside Manor-FMHA LLC is a privately owned affordable housing development associated with Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority that is in need of substantial repairs to address health, safety and accessibility.
- South Cool Spring Street: Innovative Builds Inc. is a private developer producing eight rental units by renovating an existing property. The property has previously been declared a nuisance property by the city, and substantial rehabilitation is needed to bring it up to current requirements.
- Blanton Green II: Rents for the are significantly lower than that of new developments and the current requirements by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. The city loaned the development $380,000 in 2009, and the loan is due to be repaid. The property management company is requesting that the city extend its loan terms to match the primary mortgage to avoid refinancing, which it says would require higher rents to support the new debt service requirement.
Contact local government reporter Evie Weisblat at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com.
