Agenda - 04-24-2007-2c - Laserfiche WebLink

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to ~-_ - - _-~- vii ---~ r r: f 1~ , li r r r" f } ~~ Vision-Through the ~ combined efforf of elected officials, service providers, business leaders, ~ government agencies, and the citizens of `' Orange County, chronic homelessness in Orange County will end within 10 years. ~„ Current and future efforts to serve the ~~ ~, `' needs of all homeless -':,~ individuals and homeless families will continue to be ,~ supported toward the goal of permanent housing. `5 A point=in-time survey was sponsored by the North Carolina Council for Coordinat- ing Homeless Programs on January 26, 2005. The survey was conducted in 80 counties across the state and the resulting count for that one specific night was 11,165 individuals experiencing homelessness with 3,523 of them being children. This was an increase from the December 2003 count of 9,867 individuals, including 1,287 children. The 2005 point-in-time count, required by HUD for the State Contin- uum of Care, showed that in North Carolina 1,389 individuals were identified as ex- periencing chronic homelessness. Nearly 13 percent of people identified as home- less in North Carolina were considered to be chronically homeless and chronic homelessness affected 1.63 persons per 10,000 residents. Orange County reflects the complex characteristics and special needs of all home- less people throughout the state. According to the County's 2006 Continuum of Care, 237 individuals were identified as experiencing homelessness. Thirty-nine of those individuals were chronically homeless. In the 2007 point-in-time survey, 224 people were identified as experiencing homelessness in Orange County. Seventy- one of those persons were chronically homeless. Some homeless people require limited assistance in order to regain permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Oth- ers, especially people with physical or mental disabilities, require extensive and long-term support. Homelessness is a complicated problem rising from the changing social, economic, political, and cultural conditions of the past 25 years. This plan makes systemic changes to and integrates the homeless services system in order to end chronic homelessness in Orange County and raises awareness of issues related to home- lessness among all residents. easoos fior conic o eiossness Lack of Affordable Housing- Most homeless persons do not earn enough to cover their basic needs, such as food and clothing, while others have very-low incomes, just enough to sustain themselves. Paying a mortgage or market rate rent would be impossible in their economic condition. In Orange County, an annual income of $31,400 is needed to afford atwo-bedroom apartment, and minimum wage employ- ees are required to work 117 hours per week to afford the same Fair Market Rate unit.