Agenda - 05-14-1996 - V-A - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 A&orang to the 1990 census, 9,932 of all households in Orange County were considered very low income, with incomes between 0-50 percent of median family income (MFQ.With the exception of whites. a disproportionate percentage among all other racial groups was very low income, ranging from 37 percent of the Native-American population to 44 percent of the African-American population. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS conditions The high cost of homeownership has forced many "ties to purchase housing in other counties and commute into Orange County for work.The inflation of the rental market by University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) students has caused hardships fbr families with incomes below 50 percent of MFI. larger rental units are particularly scarce. Market Conditions Although the median value of a new home was$147,577 In 1990, among the highest In the State, the median Income for a family of four was 546,800. Muse of this imbalance, the majority of residents cannot afford to buy a home within the county limits. The availability of basic rental units was also a major concern, especially in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. Many UNC-CH students have the financial means to compete with very low- and low-income residents for the least expensive housing.The scarcity of three-bedroom or more units has made it difficult for large families to find adequate housing. Affordable Housing Needs According to the f 990 census, Orange County had the highest percentage of very low- income households with housing problems in North Carolina; 77 percent of residents In this category cite cost burden and overcrowding as major Issues. The county had 12,012 low- Income households, of which 5,189 were located in Chapel Hill. According to a 1989 report from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, 1,052 units In Orange County lacked indoor plumbing. The lack of affordable housing forced renters to live in substandard units. Housing problems were reported in 86 percent of very low-income households, and 97 percent of large families were forced to live In overcrowded, substandard units. The majority of the 3.919 homeowners In this category were cost burdened, paying between 31-50 percent of their Income on housing. The 7,070 other low-income residents, who earned 51-80 percent of MR, experienced fewer housing problems. Approximately 36 percent of the low-income renters in Orange County and 43 percent of those in Chapel Hill had housing problems. Homeless Needs