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29 <br /> permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that <br /> individuals and families experience homelessness,facilitating access for homeless individuals <br /> and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were <br /> recently homeless from becoming homeless again <br /> OCPEH identified Rapid Rehousing as a gap in need of increased funding and better alignment with best <br /> practice (i.e., flexible, individualized mix of services, financial assistance, and housing navigation). In May <br /> 2020, OCPEH launched a Rapid Rehousing program (funded with HOME and state ESG) that works <br /> through the CoC's HOME Committee to provide short-to mid-term rental assistance to the community's <br /> most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness.The CoC also operates a Rapid Rehousing program <br /> for veterans with state ESG money. <br /> Service providers, such as IFC, Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), and Cardinal Innovations (the <br /> LME/MCO for Orange County), provide case management services to clients experiencing homelessness <br /> and can help connect them to housing. Orange County has also seen success in implementing a <br /> homeless diversion program, and currently diverts about 25% of households presenting for a shelter bed <br /> using a best-practice model that includes a strengths-based guided conversation with participants <br /> exploring other safe places to stay plus flexible funding that can make this happen. <br /> However, there is a great need for affordable housing units in the County, particularly subsidized, <br /> income-based rental units that can be accessed by people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.This <br /> gap presents a continuous challenge for connecting people experiencing homelessness with permanent <br /> housing. <br /> Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely <br /> low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly <br /> funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, <br /> foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving <br /> assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, <br /> employment, education, or youth needs. <br /> The CoC partners with UNC Hospitals and the Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) Foster <br /> Care division, and has developed discharge policies with local and regional institutions.The CoC also <br /> assisted in the creation of the Outreach Court, now known as the Community Resource Court (CRC), <br /> North Carolina's first specialty court for people experiencing homelessness who are offered mental <br /> health evaluations and treatment plans in lieu of going to jail for misdemeanor crimes. CRC is a <br /> collaboration between the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health and the 15B District <br /> Court Judge's Office. Defendants are typically referred to CRC by their attorney or by the district <br /> attorney's office, although anyone is able to make a recommendation for a referral. Court requirements <br /> include monthly attendance to a therapeutic court session and compliance with recommended mental <br /> health or substance use treatment. Upon graduation from the court, the participant is given some type <br /> of legal benefit such as dismissal of criminal charges. <br /> Annual Action Plan 25 <br /> FY 2022-2023 <br />