Agenda - 03-23-2000 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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on 5 Orange County TANF Housing Program Implementation Plan ATTACHMENT 2 Project Abstract Orange County has developed a plan to provide continuum of services to TANF and TANF eligible families ranging from alleviating homelessness to encouraging homeownership. The Orange County TANF Housing Program will assist 20 families obtain permanent rental housing; five (5) families to obtain homeownership; and up to 20 families with rent and utility deposits to facilitate their future ability to obtain economic self - sufficiency. In addition, the program will also assist up to 125 families access educational opportunities which will enhance their ability to provide for their families. Specific program components include: 1. Educational and Supportive Services Economic self - sufficiency is dependent upon the provision of educational and support services and family- centered case management. Program participants will have the opportunity to acquire education and job skills training; budgeting and credit counseling; and life skills training in order to building long - lasting independence from welfare resilience. 2. Rental Assistance The Orange County rental housing market, inflated by the ability of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students able to pay market rents, creates a tremendous challenge for TANF and TANF eligible families. To assist families in addressing this challenge, intensive housing search assistance and subsequent rental assistance vouchers will be provided to approximately 20 families leasing standard rental property in Orange County. In addition, financial assistance for rent and utility deposits will be provided to these families as well as others (approximately 20 additional families) participating in the other components of the program including educational and supportive services and homeownership. 3. Homeownership Homeownership can also be challenging in this area due to high land and infrastructure costs. Low - income families rely heavily on the ability of local non- profit organizations to assist them in locating affordable existing properties for sale. The TANF Housing Program will continue to utilize the current intervention strategies to assist approximately five (5) TANF families become homeowners in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and other non -profit housing organizations. Eligible families must have income at or below 200% of the poverty level, working 20 hours per week, or participating in job training or other work related activities 20 hours per week. Priority will be given to long term welfare recipients (those receiving assistance for 20 months or more), families on transitional benefits, and the homeless. Families will be identified by the partner agencies and referred for assessment and eligibility determination. Priority will be given to long term welfare recipients (received assistance 20 months or more), families on transitional benefits, and the homeless.