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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: February 20, 2001 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. _ 3 -OL_ <br />SUBJECT: Additional Funding for the General Assistance Program <br />DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />1. 1999 - 2000 Comparison <br />Il. Number Of Families Served <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Martin Whitt, Acting Director, ext 2858 <br />III. Demographics TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To consider a request from the Department of Social Services for appropriation of <br />an additional $50,000 in General Assistance funds for Fiscal Year 2000-2001. <br />BACKGROUND: General Assistance is a locally funded Department of Social Services (DSS) <br />program that helps indigent Orange County citizens meet emergency financial needs. During <br />the first seven months of FY 2000-2001, 925 families were served, compared to 670 in the <br />same period last fiscal year. This represents an increase of over 28%. Of the 925 families <br />served, about 50% (459) were from the Chapel Hill area and the other 50% (466). were from the <br />rest of the county. Fifty-three percent (53%) of the families served were current recipients of <br />other DSS services. <br />Several factors have contributed to a General Assistance spending increase of 139% over the <br />same period last year. The temperatures have been unusually cold, and heating costs have <br />increased an average of 43%. Public Service Gas Co. charges a $250.00 deposit in addition to <br />payment of any outstanding balance. Many low-income families have their gas service turned <br />off in summer without paying the last bill. When cold weather returns and the families have <br />inadequate funds to do so themselves, General Assistance must pay the old bill and the deposit <br />before service is reconnected. Other utility increases have also occurred, including a 33% <br />water rate hike by the Town of Hillsborough, OWASA increases of water rates by 6% and sewer <br />rates by 3%, and large increases by the unregulated propane gas industry. <br />There have also been significant increases this year in spending rates for other DSS <br />emergency assistance programs, including 68% in the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) and <br />36% in the Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Assistance Program. <br />Fortunately, there have been additional State funding allocations for CIP of $193,393 and, with <br />approval of additional funding for ,the County's General Assistance Program, DSS staff <br />anticipates being able to respond to needs of indigent citizens in crisis.