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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: May 16, 2023 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-a <br /> SUBJECT: 2022 Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) Program Evaluation <br /> DEPARTMENT: Housing <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Attachment 1: 2022 LHA Program Data Corey Root, Director, Housing, 919-245- <br /> 2492 <br /> Nancy Freeman, Tax Administrator, <br /> Orange County Tax Office, 919-245- <br /> 2735 <br /> Gary Donaldson, Chief Financial Officer, <br /> Orange County Finance and <br /> Administrative Services, 919-245-2453 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive information about the results of the 2022 Longtime Homeowner <br /> Assistance (LHA) program and present options for program changes for a potential continuation <br /> of the LHA program in 2023. <br /> BACKGROUND: In the spring of 2022, the Orange County Board of Commissioners authorized <br /> updates to the program design for the Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) program, to <br /> provide property tax assistance to Orange County households at 80% Area Median Income (AMI) <br /> and below who had lived in their home for at least five years. County staff worked with community <br /> partners on a five-month media campaign to increase awareness about program eligibility and <br /> how to apply with the goal of increasing the number of program applicants from 2021. The 2022 <br /> LHA media campaign efforts included: <br /> • The Tax Office sent the LHA program information flyer alongside the 2022 Tax Bills that <br /> were mailed in August 2022, <br /> • County staff worked with community partners the Jackson Center and Justice United to <br /> promote the LHA program. <br /> • Organized visits to local churches, Rogers Road and Cedar Grove Community Centers to <br /> distribute LHA flyers. <br /> • Staff partnered with church congregations in Orange County, including in northern Orange, <br /> to share information. <br /> • The County ran ads in The News of Orange & La Notica. <br /> • The County spoke about the LHA program on WCHL Chapelboro radio <br /> • The County produced short LHA informational videos in English and Spanish — these <br /> videos were distributed via social media, community partners, and email. <br />