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28 <br /> for veterans with state ESG money. <br /> Service providers, such as IFC, Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), and Cardinal Innovations (the <br /> LME/MCO for Orange County), provide case management services to clients experiencing homelessness <br /> and can help connect them to housing. Orange County has also seen success in implementing a <br /> homeless diversion program, and currently diverts about 25%of households presenting for a shelter bed <br /> using a best-practice model that includes a strengths-based guided conversation with participants <br /> exploring other safe places to stay plus flexible funding that can make this happen. <br /> However, there is a great need for affordable housing units in the County, particularly subsidized, <br /> income-based rental units that can be accessed by people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.This <br /> gap presents a continuous challenge for connecting people experiencing homelessness with permanent <br /> housing. <br /> Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely <br /> low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly <br /> funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, <br /> foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving <br /> assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, <br /> employment, education, or youth needs. <br /> The CoC partners with UNC Hospitals and the Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) Foster <br /> Care division, and has developed discharge policies with local and regional institutions.The CoC also <br /> assisted in the creation of the Outreach Court, now known as the Community Resource Court(CRC), <br /> North Carolina's first specialty court for people experiencing homelessness who are offered mental <br /> health evaluations and treatment plans in lieu of going to jail for misdemeanor crimes. CRC is a <br /> collaboration between the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health and the 15B District <br /> Court Judge's Office. Defendants are typically referred to CRC by their attorney or by the district <br /> attorney's office, although anyone is able to make a recommendation for a referral. Court requirements <br /> include monthly attendance to a therapeutic court session and compliance with recommended mental <br /> health or substance use treatment. Upon graduation from the court,the participant is given some type <br /> of legal benefit such as dismissal of criminal charges. <br /> The County, in partnership with the Towns, also administers the Emergency Housing Assistance program <br /> for people who apply directly, come through Coordinated Entry (called the Orange County"Housing <br /> Helpline"), or are referred by service providers and are experiencing housing insecurity.The fund can <br /> assist with pay for rent, mortgage, and utility payments, security and utility deposits, and certain other <br /> one-time expenses to help households at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness or to help <br /> individuals remain stably housed. <br /> AP-75 Barriers to Affordable Housing <br /> Introduction <br /> In 2020,the Orange County HOME Consortium worked with the Center for Urban and Regional Studies <br /> Annual Action Plan 24 <br /> FY 2023-2024 <br />