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_ 18 - <br /> Orange <br /> 8 Orange County <br /> Department on Aging <br /> /endless possibilities Robert& Pearl Seymour Center 12551 Homestead Rd. I Chapel Hill, NC 27516 <br /> Jerry M.Passmore Center 1 103 Meadowlands Dr., PO Box 8181 I Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> November 18, 2022 <br /> The Honorable Renee Price <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> P.O. Box 8181 <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> Dear Chair Price, <br /> As you know Orange County has a growing aging population. In 2020, 21% of the <br /> population was 60+ and by 2040 it will be 26%.This represents a 47.8% change in just 20 <br /> years; whereas, children aged 0-17 years are 17% of the population in 2020 and in 2040 <br /> will decline to 15% of the population which represents a 4.5% change. From 2010-2018 <br /> Orange County grew by 12,325 residents,while its 65+ age group grew by 7,575 residents. <br /> This means 61.5% of Orange County's growth was from the population 65+.Among peer <br /> counties, Orange County is second only to Chatham County in the share of county growth <br /> driven by its 65+ age group (64.5%). The share of growth in this age group is substantially <br /> higher than the state (53.7%). <br /> As stated in the accepted Orange County 2022-27 Master Aging Plan, steps to improve <br /> choice, quality,affordability, and stability of housing for older adults needs to be taken. <br /> Housing is an important part of safe and comfortable aging in communities. Housing in age- <br /> friendly communities should: <br /> - Be affordable; <br /> - Be close to services, or have transportation options; <br /> - Have accessible design or offer modifications and maintenance; <br /> - Provide a wide range of living options; <br /> - Be integrated into the community at large, especially long-term care facilities; and <br /> - Be safe and comfortable. <br /> The proposed staff-initiated amendments to the Orange County Unified Development <br /> Ordinance (UDO) will address several of these needs, as well as the adopted MAP Housing <br /> Objectives 3.1 and 3.3 to "Expand the development of a wide array of housing models that <br /> advance racial equity,livable design, and social connections for older adults;" and to <br /> "Increase the number and types of affordable housing options, for rent or ownership, <br /> suitable for older adults." The proposed amendments will allow for a wider range of living <br /> Visit us online @ www.orangecountync.gov/departments/aging <br /> Like us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyDepartmentOnAging <br />