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6 <br /> needs to conceptualize a continuum of housing types to accommodate rapid growth in its senior <br /> population and then, invest in development of preferred housing models. <br /> The condition of the owner occupied housing stock is fairly sound. However, rental housing units <br /> range from fair to poor. Many of the higher quality rental housing units are located in the urban <br /> centers and close to the universities.The lower quality rental housing units are located in the rural <br /> areas. Improved code enforcement is needed to address these housing deficiencies. <br /> There is also a lack of"accessible" housing units in the County to address the needs of the <br /> physically disabled. Not including elderly housing units, it appears that there is a need for at least <br /> 150 new housing units that are accessible to persons with physical disabilities. Presently, there <br /> are 84 accessible housing units for the disabled in LIHTC Projects. <br /> There is a continuing need for"affordable" and "accessible" housing in Orange County.The <br /> existing housing is sound and there appears to be an adequate supply of market-rate housing.The <br /> County has a growing population, and new construction and rehabilitation work is increasing <br /> again as evidenced by the number of building and renovation permits issued throughout the <br /> County. Real estate values continue rise which benefits property owners and most homeowners. <br /> However, these rising real estate values negatively impact very low-, low-, and moderate-income <br /> households who are increasingly cost-overburdened in their homes by 30 to 50 percent or greater <br /> or who cannot find affordable housing and are having to increasingly seek housing outside of the <br /> County or live in substandard conditions not by choice, but necessity. <br /> Housing values (both rental and real estate values) have increased with the increase of <br /> households to the area.This increase has been especially burdensome on low-and moderate income <br /> renter households. A decrease in the quality and the quantity of affordable rental housing <br /> has placed many of the very low-income households at imminent risk of becoming homeless. <br /> It is estimated that there are approximately 1,600 owner and renter occupied housing units that <br /> are suitable for rehabilitation work in Orange County. However, the cost of rehabilitation exceeds <br /> 4 <br />