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13 <br /> Choice Vouchers. The Department recently sent out more than 100 applications for the <br /> Housing Choice Voucher program for residents meeting the homelessness preference in the <br /> Orange County Housing Authority's Administrative Plan. While the new Housing Access <br /> Coordinator funded by the County and Towns has helped recruit landlords in accepting <br /> vouchers, security deposits are needed as well as application fee assistance for these units in <br /> order for residents in need of affordable housing to access them — especially those who are the <br /> most vulnerable in our community. Since January 2020, 2.5% of EHA funding (about $42,000) <br /> has gone to these activities. Based on these numbers and in anticipation of increased need, as <br /> families fall out of housing due to lost income and the expiration of CARES funds and eviction <br /> protection at the end of 2020, we anticipate that at least $60,000 is needed in order to continue <br /> providing security and utility deposits, moving costs, and application fees through June 2021. In <br /> order to continue providing flexible EHA rent and utility assistance for those who do not qualify <br /> for the supplemental State and Federal funds, we anticipate at least $200,000 additional funding <br /> is needed for EHA through June 2021. <br /> Research shows that housing assistance, such as that provided through EHA, reduces hardship <br /> and increases economic opportunity for low-income families.1 .There is also research showing <br /> that preventing eviction can reduce costs to the health care system, lower costs and reduce the <br /> burden on shelter and other emergency housing programs, ease the administrative burden on <br /> the courts, reduce job loss, reduce negative educational outcomes, and prevent the decline of <br /> communities that occurs when people are displaced.2 This combined impact is due to the <br /> continuing community-wide effort to prevent evictions and homelessness in Orange County. <br /> Additional local funds allows the Housing Department to continue this work to keep people <br /> stable in housing and access new affordable housing through the County's existing Emergency <br /> Housing Assistance fund. <br /> Commissioner Bedford asked if undocumented people would still qualify for these funds. <br /> Emila Sutton said yes, and the NC HOPE program also allows the department to serve <br /> undocumented folks. She said approximately 20% of those served by EHA so far have been <br /> undocumented. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Bedford to <br /> approve the transfer of$100,000 from the Local Rent Supplement Program to the Emergency <br /> Housing Assistance program to provide additional funding for ongoing eviction prevention <br /> activities. <br /> Chair Rich called each Commissioner by name (roll call). <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> d. Approval of Pandemic Response Payment to Permanent Orange County <br /> Employees and Approval of Budget Amendment#3-A(ORD-2020-025) <br /> The Board recognized the flexibility and perseverance demonstrated by Orange County <br /> employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, considered authorizing a one-time Pandemic <br /> Response Payment of$100 per month to permanent County employees who have been on the <br /> payroll between March 1, 2020 and November 1, 2020, prorated for permanent part time <br /> employees, and approve Budget Amendment#3-A transferring funds from the County's Health <br /> Insurance Reserve to a Pandemic Response Payment account to be distributed to departments <br /> personnel line items according to the amount of payment required in each department. <br />