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26 <br /> Community Outreach <br /> Please find the community outreach plan for the 2021 Longtime Homeowner Assistance <br /> program included as Attachment 1. Staff created the materials enumerated in this plan (flyer, <br /> FAQ) and performed extensive outreach in communities and via the local media. In addition to <br /> this completing all activities in this communication plan, Housing staff also organized and <br /> staffed three in-person events to help people complete LHA applications and distributed <br /> information about these events in English and Spanish-language flyers (Attachment 2). The <br /> Housing Department also mailed LHA flyers to every resident of Fairview and Piney Grove <br /> communities, and printed copies for every resident of Northside to receive LHA flyers along with <br /> the monthly neighborhood newsletter. <br /> Expanded community outreach is a key issue for the 2022 LHA program. Staff will include an <br /> LHA program insert in the Orange County Tax Assistance Application Packet and included in <br /> the real property tax bills mailed in July 2022. Staff will continue to work with community <br /> organizations and networks to get the information out about the 2022 LHA program. Staff will <br /> continue to have materials available in languages other than English, and to have information <br /> available via a variety of channels including the media, community partners, and County <br /> programs including offices and the Housing Helpline. Staff will work with program participants <br /> and the groups that work with them to understand and craft and implement a plan for expanded <br /> outreach. <br /> Durham County Property Tax Relief Program <br /> In 2021, Durham implemented a property tax relief program similar to LHA — there were 340 <br /> total number of applicants and 204 approvals. Durham expects the number of applicants will <br /> increase 100% for the 2022 year based on lowering the number of years the applicant must <br /> have owned and lived in the property from 10 years to 5 years. Durham will be changing its <br /> program design to reflect a tiered award amount based on income. This year the award amount <br /> will be 50% of the tax amount of the last tax bill available not to exceed: <br /> • $1,000 for 61-80% AMI <br /> • $1,250 for 31-60% AMI <br /> • $1,500 for 30% AMI and below <br /> Durham County implemented a communication plan for its program that targeted faith-based <br /> organizations, used presentations at local agencies, traditional media and social media, along <br /> with a program insert in tax bills. Durham County plans to change the insert this year to inform <br /> homeowners that the County can reimburse funds if homeowners have already paid their tax bill <br /> when the award is approved. There is not a plan for prioritizing the awards, and it will be <br /> provided on a first come first served system. In addition, staff plans to communicate with the <br /> Durham County Board of Commissioners if additional funding is needed to cover all <br /> applications received. <br /> Prioritizing Awards <br /> At the May 24th meeting, the Board of Commissioners asked staff to present options for <br /> prioritizing LHA applications based on need, should prioritization be needed because <br /> application awards exceed available funding. First-come, first-served prioritizations favor people <br /> with lower service needs, and therefore are not recommended. Staff recommends using the <br /> following factors (in combination or alone) to determine need: <br /> • Tax burden — percentage of total tax bill divided by household income; higher <br /> percentages to be prioritized over lower percentages <br /> o Staff recommend using tax burden as the highest prioritization factor <br />