Agenda - 04-01-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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management and operation of their housing units, a more responsive program can be designed. Programs such as the homeownership education program of Orange Community Housing Corporation are critical to increasing citizen awareness of the housing market and the types of assistance working families need to become homeowners. Over the next five years, an action plan for increased citizen involvement should be prepared and implementation begun, to create a housing program that addresses the specific needs of very low and lower income families in Orange County. e. SuI212ortive Housing for Homeless Persons. GOAL: To continue operation of the InterFaith Council Homeless Shelter. The current shelter represented a substantial investment in the homeless population by the local community with assistance from HUD, NCHFA, and private fundraising, and the Town continues to provide the facility and some utilities for the building annually. The InterFaith Council, a local nonprofit service agency, operates the shelter program. This shelter currently operates at capacity, and this program should be regularly evaluated to determine if expansion or addition of a second facility is needed. No shelter exists in northern Orange County, creating a transportation problem for persons who may be employed in that part of the County. In addition, the current shelter must serve persons with very different needs, from single mothers with young children to single men recovering from substance abuse, within the same facility. An additional facility may be needed during the five -year period. GOAL: Creation of transitional housing units for shelter residents who can live independently. In 1992, the InterFaith Council and OCHC plan to submit an application for funds to create a transitional housing program for those shelter clients who can live independently with some transition assistance, using local funds to match the federal contribution. A large number of shelter clients are persons new to the area seeking work; once they find employment, they still cannot afford to move to permanent housing. Also, battered women often cannot afford to move from their homes into the private housing market. A transitional program would allow them to leave the shelter environment while having an affordable housing unit to help them save the funds necessary for rent and utility deposits. Such transitional housing may reduce the population needing services from the homeless shelter, especially those who KIC]