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020 <br /> or transitional housing opportunities for working residents, the <br /> homeless shelter becomes the County' s main source of short-term <br /> housing for a broad spectrum of people. <br /> iii. Needs of Persons Threatened with Homelessness <br /> No statistical data is available regarding the number of <br /> persons threatened with homelessness . However, those families <br /> paying more than 30% of their income for rent are at constant risk <br /> of homelessness. This number is approximately 12, 012 with most <br /> families headed by a female. <br /> 3 . Populations with Special Needs - Other than Homeless. In <br /> Orange County, the special needs population includes the elderly, <br /> frail elderly, developmentally disabled, handicapped, mentally ill <br /> residents, persons with AIDS, battered women, persons recovering <br /> from substance abuse, and homeless teenagers (including teenage <br /> mothers) . <br /> i. Need for Supportive Housing Each of these groups has <br /> different needs which require different types of housing. It is <br /> important to note that it is almost impossible to report a 100% <br /> accurate count of these sub-populations; the figures only reflect <br /> the number of reported cases. In most cases, these groups will <br /> need increased support services and case management in order to <br /> live independently, even if low-cost housing opportunities are made <br /> available to them. Assisted housing opportunities for persons with <br /> special needs should provide a continuum of choices that offer <br /> transition from supervised housing situations to independent living <br /> with minimal support. Coordination of housing assistance with <br /> increased funds for case management is critical to programs for <br /> persons with special needs if attempts at "mainstreaming" are to be <br /> successful. <br /> Elderly and Frail Elderly. In the case of the elderly, the <br /> opportunity to "age in place" must be provided alongside new <br /> housing options, both rental and homeownership. Very low- and low- <br /> income older adults are often subject to economic displacement, as <br /> they become less able to afford to maintain their family homes . In <br /> addition, as they age, older residents need modifications to their <br /> homes to make them more accessible, such as ramps, wider doorways, <br /> and grab bars. Many older adults continue to live in substandard <br /> housing because they cannot afford to make needed repairs yet they <br /> have a strong desire to remain in their homes. <br /> There are roughly 9, 876 elderly people (over the age of 62 ) <br /> that reside in Orange County. According to the Orange County <br /> Department of Aging, 25% (2,557 ) of these elderly residents <br /> reported that they experience some mobility limitation, while 8 .4% <br /> experience some self care limitations (frail elderly) . <br /> 17 <br />