Orange County NC Website
6 <br /> FFY 2015-2019 Five Year Consolidated Plan Orange County HOME Consortium, NC <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- <br /> income 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 /> the income and assets of many low- and moderate-income persons Therefore, many of these <br /> housing units will remain vacant and or in substandard, deteriorating conditions since the <br /> financial resources are not available to rehabilitate the housing units There is a need for increased <br /> local, state federal and private funds to provide financial assistance to lower income families to <br /> rehabilitate properties for more affordable housing.. <br /> In addition, 20,899 housing units (40.5%)were built before 1980, and therefore have a potential <br /> lead-based paint hazard For Orange County, it is estimated that 15%of low or moderate income <br /> families living in owner-occupied units are at risk of lead-based paint hazards and that 25%of low <br /> or moderate income families living in rental units are at risk of lead-based paint hazards <br /> There is a dire lack of affordable housing for the very-law income in Orange County.. <br /> Unfortunately, there are no new funding sources for permanent housing that replaces Public <br /> Housing to meet the housing needs of the very-low income The County should encourage and <br /> support private and non-profit development entities to build more LIHTC high quality affordable <br /> housing developments throughout the County, especially in the urban areas (though in urban <br /> areas cost and the lack of available land make this almost prohibitive).Therefore, opportunities <br /> for infill development and acquisition and or rehabilitation in these areas should be encouraged <br /> to meet affordable housing needs and opportunities for access to transportation, services and <br /> employment. <br /> The areas impacted with cost overburdened households are located in and around the urban <br /> areas of the County These areas contain the largest concentration of employment opportunities <br /> and public and private amenities but lack affordable housing. <br /> The urban areas of the County have the most public and community facilities. These areas also <br /> contain the majority of available public transportation The urban neighborhoods contain many <br /> of the County's employment opportunities and existing housing stock However,these areas are <br /> cost prohibitive for low-and moderate-income persons. <br /> Orange County has a community health clinic and UNC Hospital System are relatively inexpensive. <br /> However,there is still a need for more free healthcare for people experiencing homelessness or <br /> at risk of becoming homeless.There is a great need for Mental Health and Substance Abuse case <br /> management and treatment for people experiencing and at risk of homelessness. Orange County <br /> OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.07/31/2015) 4 <br />