Agenda - 01-20-1998 - 9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. Housing Affordable housing is a major problem in Orange County. Most of Orange County's rapidly growing population is made up of mid or upper level professionals with graduate degrees. The buying power of this group has driven up the cost of land and housing by more than 100% over the past 10 years and 300% over the past 20 years. Of the 226 housing permits issued in 1996, only 8 were for homes below $100,000. In 1993, Orange County developed a Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy to address housing - related issues. According to 1990 census data: • Orange County has nearly 17,000 low income households, • One third of Orange County residents experience housing problems, • 86% of all very low income residents report housing problems, including overcrowding and physical deterioration, • 10% of all housing units across the county are considered sub - standard, often in terms of having a dilapidated roof or having been condemned, • Orange County has approximately 1,052 units with no indoor plumbing, • Approximately 12,000 people, mostly female heads of households, spend more than 30% of their income on rent. Public housing accounts for 1,256 units of the more than 35,000 housing units in the county. Strong public support for affordable housing provides ongoing support for low and moderate income housing projects sponsored by private non - profit organizations. Habitat for Humanity is active throughout the county. In the past five years, Habitat volunteers working in partnership with new home owners have built more than 30 units. As of November, 1997, the average price for a home in Orange County is $265,000. As a result, people with modest and low incomes find it increasingly difficult to live in the county and even more difficult to own homes here. Rental housing is also at a premium due to the number of students who quickly absorb any new rental units in the area.. In November, 1997, the county passed a $1.3 million bond referendum for affordable housing. 6. Transportation Lack of transportation is a major barrier in keeping people from reaching economic self - sufficiency. Southern Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro are served by 15 bus routes operated by the Chapel Hill Transit System. The system appears to be designed mainly to serve the needs of UNC students and staff, with reduced service in the evenings, weekends, and 4 summer months. The Chapel Hill Transit System's EZ Rider Service serves some physically impaired people. Public transportation north of I -40 is extremely limited.