The Wake County Board of Commissioners took steps forward on two important housing issues today – the 2022 Annual Action Plan and funding for the Bridge to Home program. Both will address the growing affordable housing, homeless services and community development needs of residents in our community.

“We’re building on the momentum of last year’s record-setting efforts to address affordable housing and homelessness issues for our most vulnerable residents,” said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Sig Hutchinson. “To successfully do this, it will take strong partnerships and the voice of the community to truly make a difference for those who are struggling to keep a roof over their head.”

Bridge to Home Program Awards $4.7 Million in Funding
In December 2021, Wake County announced the Bridge to Home program, a service expansion program aimed at helping move as many people as possible to permanent housing.

Today, the board approved awarding funding to the following eight agencies for a total of $4.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding:

• Families Together
• Green Chair
• Healing Transitions
• InterAct
• Oak City Center
• Passage Home
• South Wilmington Street Center
• Urban Ministries
   

The goal of the Bridge to Home program is to ensure Wake County residents receive the best possible care and find a path to permanent housing. Ten agencies responded to the Request for Proposals. A selection committee consisting of County and partner staff convened to evaluate and score each proposal.

Wake County 2022 Action Plan
The Wake County Annual Action Plan is a one-year strategy to implement affordable housing, homeless services and community development programs to address the needs of low-to-moderate income families.

A key part of the plan is how the County will allocate U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement grants. To inform the allocation process, the public, organizations and partners are encouraged to provide input.

Housing staff are currently creating the draft plan and will share it in March for feedback. Anyone can offer comments via mail or email during the 30-day open comment period.

Unless other priorities are identified through the public input process, the plan will prioritize households earning less than 50% of the Area Median Income, as well as vulnerable populations experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The 2022 Action Plan is anticipated to appropriate $4.9 million in HUD federal funding sources, which include:

• Community Development Block Grants;
• HOME Investments Partnership Program;
• Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS; and
• Emergency Solutions Grant.
   

Housing staff will leverage these funds using existing County funds and program income to implement the program activities described in the plan. In addition, the plan will continue to fund existing programs currently operated by the Housing Department.

Following public comments submitted in March and April, the plan will be submitted for final approval at a Wake County Board meeting in early May.

The board’s actions today support its community health and vitality goal of creating affordable housing opportunities and supporting efforts to end homelessness.