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2. Actions to Address Impediments <br />a. Current Lending Products and Packages. Cabarrus County works with local <br />nonprofit housing organizations such as Prosperity Unlimited, a Community <br />Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and Habitat for Humanity to <br />increase home ownership opportunities for low income persons and families. <br />These agencies are supported by Cabarrus County through technical and financial <br />methods. Cabarrus County just transferred a property worth $340,000 to Habitat <br />for Humanity for the creation of a subdivision that will include homes produced <br />by both nonprofit and for profit builders. In addition to increasing the numbers of <br />homes available, this property is located in a racially diverse area. Cabarrus <br />County has held foreclosure workshops in conjunction with the local CHDO and <br />with other local jurisdictions to try to address clients with predatory and/or bad <br />loans. County housing rehabilitation clients are regularly referred to Prosperity <br />Unlimited for loan reviews, loan information, home buying education, and down <br />payment assistance. Increased reviews of loan documentation to meet new <br />CDBG regulations regarding title searches have created a need for clients to get <br />financial assistance /education in order to maintain their homes or access <br />rehabilitation services. Loan and credit problems are becoming more evident due <br />to the new procedures. <br />b. Fair Housing Awareness. To make citizens aware of their fair housing rights, <br />Cabarrus County uses multiple forms of communication. Methods used are Fair <br />Housing awareness education through newspapers ads, radio advertisements, <br />Cabarrus County Channel 22 cable television ads and a website notification of <br />Fair Housing Law that remains on the website at all times. These ads contain <br />basic information regarding the law and who to contact if you feel you have <br />experienced discrimination. These ads currently include a TDD number and <br />contain Spanish contact information. County staff also posts Fair Housing posters <br />and pamphlets in libraries, government offices, schools, the Department of Social <br />Services and financial institutions. These posters and pamphlets are in English <br />and Spanish. Cabarrus County Community Development Staff makes and will <br />continue making presentations to civic groups, church groups, Department of <br />Social Services staff and others regarding Fair Housing laws and ways to address <br />Fair Housing. <br />c. Education for Homebuyers. CHDO's, such as Prosperity Unlimited and Habitat <br />for Humanity, are starting to address this problem; however, there is much to do <br />in the education of the public regarding home buying. Cabarrus County provides <br />technical and financial support to Prosperity Unlimited, which provides <br />homebuyer education programs that includes Fair Housing information. Clients <br />interested in the home buying process, from any income group, are referred to <br />these nonprofits for homebuyer education. Homebuyer education expands <br />information regarding fair housing choice as well. Some of the nonprofit and <br />local agencies also produce affordable housing. This helps expand housing <br />choice for the clients and protects against steering activities. <br />d. Transportation. A TDD number is used for accessibility to public services. <br />Cabarrus County provides a van service for transportation for elderly and disabled <br />41Page <br />Analysis of Impediments March 2011 <br />Attachment number 1 <br />F -1 Page 54 <br />