Agenda - 05-19-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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22 Patients of Orange- Chatham Comprehensive Health Services express concern in three health - related areas: (1) high cost.of. prescription drugs, (2) lack of affordable dental care for low- income citizens, and (3) lack of affordable eye care and glasses for the low- income. (Source: Michael Eyster, OCCHS) 11% of the total population in Orange'County and 30% of people below the poverty level have no medical insurance. Over a third of the uninsured population are employed. Minorities and women are disproportionately likely to be uninsured. The lack of insurance creates a financial barrier between uninsured individuals and the health care system. (Source: Center for Health Policy Research & Education at Duke University, quoted in "Insurance Status of Orange County Residents ") HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS Chapel Hill and Carrboro have identified 5,700 families in need of rental assistance in southern Orange County. There are 1,190 units available, which meets 20% of the need and leaves 80% of the need unmet. (Source: "Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy for Orange County ") Approximately 850 Orange County families are on the waiting list for Section 8 and Public Housing assistance. (Source: "Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy for Orange County ") A family of four with income of 60% of the area median, or approximately $26,000, can afford a monthly payment of about $505,, which can support a mortgage of $61,500. - -Very few homeownership opportunities exist for such families, particularly in southern Orange County. (Source: "Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy for Orange County ") The InterFaith Council's Community Shelter served 835 adults and 62 children during 1991. Seventy -four percent of the people were there for the first time. In 1990, the shelter served 468 guests. (Source: IFC Shelter Report - 1991)