Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
30 <br /> Preferences <br /> Identify whether the Consortium intends to give preference to one or more qualifying <br /> populations or a subpopulation within one or more qualifying populations for any eligible <br /> activity or project <br /> • Preferences cannot violate any applicable fair housing, civil rights, and <br /> nondiscrimination requirements, including but not limited to those requirements listed <br /> in 24 CFR 5.105(a) <br /> • The Consortium is not required to describe specific projects to which the preferences <br /> will apply <br /> Orange County plans to implement a qualifying population preference for those experiencing <br /> Homelessness. The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH) collaborates with <br /> public and private agencies in Orange County to help people find a safe place to stay using <br /> Coordinated Entry (CE) —a single point of entry, homelessness diversion, and program referral <br /> system. Coordinated Entry helps service providers determine quickly, consistently, and <br /> effectively which resources will best help people in housing crisis. Coordinated Entry <br /> streamlines the processes for diversion, shelter referral, and housing program referrals. This <br /> process formalizes prioritization, prioritizing households with higher service needs over <br /> households with lower service needs. Coordinated Entry is guided, maintained, and updated by <br /> two Committees, the HOME Committee and CE Planning Committee, and one workgroup, the <br /> Data & Grants Workgroup, comprised of Coordinated Entry stakeholders and coordinated by <br /> the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness (OCPEH). <br /> (If a preference was identified) How the use of a preference or method of prioritization will <br /> address the unmet need or gap in benefits and services received by individuals and families in <br /> the qualifying population or category of qualifying population, consistent with the <br /> Consortium's needs assessment and gaps analysis <br /> The use of this preference will allow more people experiencing homelessness to access affordable <br /> housing units. The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness has created a homeless gaps <br /> analysis annually starting in 2017 (https://www.ocpehnc.com/gaps-analysis) and update this report <br /> annually with input from people experiencing homelessness, service providers, state and national level <br /> experts, and community feedback. Staff used this data in addition to the 2022 Point-in-Time and <br /> Housing Inventory Count, as well as the current shelter referral list (people waiting to get into <br /> emergency shelter) and coordinated entry lists (people experiencing homelessness who are connected <br /> with service providers and in housing search) to determine what unmet homeless service needs exist in <br /> Orange County. The community's current prioritization reflects an emphasis on serving people with the <br /> 28 <br />