PY 2013 Action Plan - Draft - Tarrant County

AP‐75 Barriers to affordable housing
Introduction
Tarrant County will develop its institutional structure and enhance coordination to encourage the
creation of affordable housing by continuing to sponsor programs to expand technical capacity and
improve coordination among local agencies, such as planning forums, homeless surveys, workshops, and
joint venture housing activities. The CDD will coordinate with Continuum of Care members, the cities of
Fort Worth and Arlington, the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, local housing authorities, and the
Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office in sharing information regarding chronic homelessness,
minority homeownership, local housing issues, and to assist in developing resident initiative and family
self‐sufficiency programs, and other improvements to public and assisted housing.
Actions it planned to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve
as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning
ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the
return on residential investment
Tarrant County will take the following actions in PY 2013 to remove the negative effects of public
policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing:(1) Continue to work with Continuum of Care and
local agencies to expand public and private resources and use other resources to assist in improving
housing and community needs. One resource will be by applying for grants outside of HUD and create
partnerships with other agencies and non‐profits to reach the same clientele on multiple levels.(2)
Educate and encourage urban county cities and agencies to leverage federal funds to produce more
cost‐effective housing, increase jobs and community development programs. Tarrant County is currently
meeting with cities around JBR to implement cohesive plans that will better support all cities and their
citizens.(3) Seek more opportunities with private entities and/or non‐profit agencies to enhance current
programs and services. For example working with CHDO¿s and agencies to better support multi‐family
complexes and agency programs through collaboration. (4) Continue to sponsor coordinated planning
and information‐sharing activities which add to the technical capacity and knowledge of local non‐profit
agencies. Provide technical assistance to housing and social service non‐profits participating in County
programs.(5) Explore opportunities and educate local communities and citizens to participate in
expanding transit oriented development. Working with local transit authorities to research and create a
needs assessment to share with citizens and policy makers to assist in transit and/or transit oriented
development priorities.
Discussion
Annual Action Plan
2013
30
OMB Control No: 2506‐0117 (exp. 07/31/2015)