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3 <br /> • Length of time in home — people who have been in homes longer (or in the case or heirs <br /> or trust properties, families who have been in homes longer) prioritized over people/families <br /> who have been in homes a shorter amount of time <br /> o Staff recommend using length of time in home as the third prioritization factor <br /> Other prioritization factors could include: <br /> • Income — people at lower income levels prioritized over people at higher income levels <br /> • Geography — people in certain neighborhoods or areas of Orange County prioritized over <br /> people in other neighborhood or areas of Orange County <br /> How this can work: staff will process applications as they are submitted to determine eligibility and <br /> total potential award amounts. After the application period closes on December 1, 2022, staff will <br /> assess the total potential award amount for all eligible applicants — if this is less than the available <br /> program funding, all approved applications will be awarded. If awards are projected to exceed <br /> available program funding, staff will arrange applications in priority order based on the <br /> prioritization factors chosen by the Board. If the Board adopts the staff recommended criteria <br /> above, this would mean prioritizing all eligible applications first by tax burden, then age, and then <br /> length of time in home. <br /> After prioritization, awards can be made either in full (full awards for all prioritized eligible <br /> applications up to available program funding, and applications beyond that amount not receiving <br /> any award) or on a percentage basis using maximum award amounts for as many applicants as <br /> possible, ensuring that all eligible applications receive some award. For example, the top 50% of <br /> prioritized eligible applications could receive full awards while those prioritized lower would <br /> receive a percentage of their award. Staff could calculate the percentage to use for partial awards <br /> based on available funding and award amounts, ensuring that applicants receiving partial awards <br /> receive the highest award possible using all available funding. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: The program would expend the remaining $233,636 in ARPA funding that <br /> has been allocated to assist long-term, low-income households affected by the tax revaluation of <br /> property. The funding is limited to the available funds consistent with the NC Statutes pre-audit <br /> requirements. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to <br /> this item: <br /> • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND <br /> INEQUITY <br /> The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; <br /> religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic <br /> background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. <br /> • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY <br /> The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary <br /> for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their <br /> dependents. <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There are no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal <br /> impacts applicable to this item. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss and consider the <br /> design change and options detailed above and provide direction to staff. <br />