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30 <br /> • The demand created by a continued population growth, including growth from the University, <br /> creates a housing shortage. <br /> • A tight rental housing market and escalating rental rates in the urban areas of the County <br /> increases costs for all income levels. <br /> • There is a lack of housing choice for people aging in place. <br /> Furthermore,the COVID-19 pandemic increased housing instability for many County residents due to <br /> business closures and job losses, creating the need for significant scale-up in the County's provision of <br /> emergency rent and utility assistance (through the Emergency Housing Assistance program), housing <br /> resource navigation and referrals (through the Housing Helpline), and non-congregate shelter for people <br /> experiencing homelessness. <br /> Orange County's population is growing, with population growth concentrated mainly in the higher <br /> income household category.This growth has raised the value of housing, both owner-and renter- <br /> occupied, and created a shortage of decent, safe and affordable housing for very low>30%, low >50%, <br /> and moderate >80% income persons. Orange County's highest priority is to address issues of affordable <br /> housing in the County. During this CAPER period,the County used its limited financial resources to <br /> address affordable housing issues and other needs addressed in this plan by funding the projects that <br /> would create more housing opportunities for County residents. <br /> In PY 2021,the Orange County HOME Consortium funded the following activities to increase affordable <br /> housing opportunities: <br /> • HOME-21-01—EmPOWERment—Rental Acquisition <br /> • HOME-21-02—Habitat for Humanity—Homeownership Assistance <br /> • HOME-21-03—Pee Wee Homes— Rental Construction <br /> *Only HOME Match budgeted for this project, no 2020 HOME Entitlement funds <br /> Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) <br /> In Orange County, evaluations (risk assessments) of lead-based paint in housing units were conducted <br /> on a case-by-case basis and lead abatement was prescribed as needed for dwellings assisted with <br /> rehabilitation funds. In addition, all assisted housing tenants were informed of the hazards of lead-based <br /> paint. The Orange County Health Department provided ongoing consultation to local housing staff. <br /> During this CAPER period, no units were abated for leadabased paint in the County using HOME funds. <br /> Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) <br /> The latest HUD CHAS data (2014-2019) indicates that 30%of Orange County households (both renters <br /> CAPER 28 <br /> OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) <br />