Agenda - 11-05-20; 6-c - Emergency Housing Assistance Program Update and Request for Supplemental Funding

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OCHCD COVID-19 Response Summary www.orangecountync.gov/Housing The Board of Commissioners created the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) fund in 2018. In 2020, the Board of Commissioners significantly supplemented funding for this program and endorsed OCHCD’s recommendation to enhance service delivery to: • STABILIZE housing with financial assistance to 691 households, January – September • PREVENT eviction and homelessness • STREAMLINE referrals and eligibility with funding in the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough • ADMINISTER funds for the Towns and County, improving access and efficiency Orange County Housing and Community Development (OCHCD) promotes affordable housing, economic opportunity, and living free from discrimination. With support from Orange County Department of Social Services and Federal ESG-CV funds for case manager positions, OCHCD created the Housing Help Rapid Re-housing program in March 2020, for people experiencing homelessness to secure and maintain stable housing with a flexible mix of: • HOUSING SEARCH to locate units that match client needs • CASE MANAGEMENT and linkages to programs and services • FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE for housing costs over a few months or more OCHCD administers the Orange County Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program to provide long term housing affordability to people with low incomes, including recent initiatives to: • CREATE new preferences for vulnerable populations • ISSUE 100 HCV applications to include more than 50 people expe- riencing homelessness, 30 of whom are staying at IFC emergency shelter. • SECURE NEW HOUSING for Orange County residents with vouchers via the Landlord Incentive Program by providing a $2,000 leasing bonus for affordable units for people with low incomes. In partnership with the Towns, in August OCHCD hired a Housing Access Coordinator that will • RECRUIT landlords to accept vouchers • PROVIDE a point of contact for landlords in the community • UTILIZE landlord incentives to provide a $2,000 lease-signing bonus to landlords willing to accept tenants with housing subsides/vouchers 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2020 2019*This number reflects new households assisted; 58 households also received repeat assistance. Total number of households assisted in 2019: 26 TOTAL JAN-SEPT 2020 691 Diverted from eviction and/or homelessness 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2020 2019 OCHCD partners with the Orange County Part- nership to End Homelessness (OCPEH) to run the Housing Helpline. Staff on the Helpline assist callers and emailers to: OCPEH HOUSING HELPLINE # OF PEOPLE # OF CALLS # OF EMAILS APRIL 113 210 5* MAY 350 617 116 JUNE 391 1,005 194 JULY 365 915 598 AUGUST 507 1,527 1,579 SEPT 626 1,459 905 *Housing Helpline began email access on April 28, 2020 • ACCESS programs and services • REFER to shelter and housing programs • DIVERT people from homelessness • PRIORITIZE people on housing waiting lists “I do not think you understand the stress and worry that has been lift- ed off my shoulders. This will allow me to get back on track so much.” — Orange County Resident assisted by EHA “I truly hope your organization knows how much of a life saver this help is. Thank you again for everything.” — Orange County Resident assisted by EHA “Thanks for responding so quickly and you’re so thoughtful and kind with your words and helping me feel important still in these times.” — Orange County Resident assisted by EHA HOUSEHOLDS ASSISTED Attachment 2 7