Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Orange County has also become something of a mecca for active seniors due in part to its being <br />home to UNC, a university with a national reputation, and to the UNC Hospitals and the <br />sophisticated medical care available. A number of retirement communities have been developed <br />which focus on this group of seniors who retire to Orange County from all over the country. <br />Many in this group share their experience and professional skills through volunteer activities for <br />children, youth, and other adults, thereby making an important contribution to their new <br />community. <br />AFFORDABLE HO USING <br />A comprehensive affordable housing policy exists due to collaborative efforts of the towns and <br />county. Affordable housing (defined as housing costing no more than 30% of household gross <br />income) is available to meet the needs of all individuals in Orange County, including older <br />adults, persons with disabilities, the mentally impaired, battered women, low- income <br />households, and the homeless. <br />To ease the affordable housing crunch in and around Chapel Hill /Carrboro, UNC has <br />significantly increased the percentage of students housed in University- sponsored housing, as <br />well as sponsored housing for staff and faculty. This has opened up new housing options in <br />Carrboro and Chapel Hill for lower- income residents. <br />HEAL TH AND MENTAL HEAL TH <br />Health services - physical, mental (including services for drug abuse) and prescription -are well <br />funded and are easily accessible to all citizens. Health care coverage for new and expecting <br />parents is provided to enhance family health and well- being. <br />Preventive health care is emphasized, and education on physical and mental health issues is <br />provided to all citizens. Due to these efforts people are living more health conscious lifestyles — <br />they are exercising more, following better diets, and smoking less. Education programs on <br />health and exercise start at an early age to promote healthy living and improve quality of life. <br />Community aid and support have helped address drug abuse issues. Many support groups exist, <br />reducing the isolation such people feel and providing a basis for effecting change. <br />SAFE COMMUNITY <br />Crime rates are low due to community policing, extensive citizen involvement in "Neighborhood <br />Watch" programs, and community awareness and responsiveness to issues of abuse. Community <br />safety has also been improved by promoting development patterns that enhance community <br />closeness, and through educational programs for children and adults on safety issues. The <br />county takes full advantage of available technology so that citizen needs for emergency services <br />are responded to promptly. Adequate fire protection systems and response times exist, even in <br />rural parts of the county. The county has an integrated emergency management communication <br />system that enables effective communication among departments and jurisdictions. <br />103 <br />