Agenda - 05-07-2013 - 5e - Laserfiche WebLink

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The high costs of homeownership in Orange County and the lack of safe, affordable rental housing continue to be major challenges for low- income families. Rental households face serious challenges with high cost, inadequate supply, and competition with university students for limited housing stock. Access to transportation or to communities that are practically walkable also presents a difficulty, particularly outside Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill have targeted significant CDBG and HOME resources within core low- income areas to execute their anti - poverty strategy. These resources will act as catalysts to invite additional public and private investment of capital and services; increase the quantity and quality of affordable housing; and help low to moderate - income residents acquire needed information, knowledge and skills to improve their employment opportunities. Under North Carolina's Work First initiative, Orange County has developed a local plan to assist those most in need and forms the basis for its anti - poverty activities. Orange County's current Work First population [recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF] faces major obstacles in obtaining and retaining employment because they are competing for jobs with a highly skilled workforce. Unskilled and semi - skilled workers without a high school diploma or a recent connection to the workforce are unable to obtain jobs that provide a living wage. Barriers such as substance abuse, criminal records and chronic physical and mental health problems have no quick fix. They are resolved as a result of participant commitment, adequate resources and over time. Under the Work First initiative, Orange County will provide the following: • First Stop — provides a continuum of services including job search and job preparedness • Childcare — provides daycare subsidy payments and assisting with After - School Programs • Transportation — provides expanded transportation routes, vehicle donations and financial assistance to address transportation needs • Substance Abuse Services— provides initial screening, assessment, and residential and outpatient treatment services • Family Violence Option — provides full assessment of domestic violence, counseling and support group sessions, and coordination of services such as emergency housing, transportation and legal services • Child Welfare Services— provides collaboration of services to ensure the safety and well -being of children • Emergency Assistance — provides housing, food and utility assistance The Anti - Poverty Strategy is the unifying thread that ties the housing, homeless, public housing and non - housing community development strategies together as one comprehensive plan for reducing the number of families that fall below the poverty level. In addressing each of the three components below, the Anti - Poverty Strategy simultaneously links and implements the various strategies, goals and objectives FY 2013 -2014 Action Plan 52