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39 <br /> • Increasing the number of accessible housing units through repair and rehabilitation of <br /> existing housing units and construction of new housing units that are affordable and <br /> accessible. <br /> • Facilitating rehabilitation and development of housing options for older adults to age in <br /> place. <br /> • Providing support for services, programs, and facilities for the elderly, peoples with <br /> disabilities, people with substance use disorder, and other populations with service needs. <br /> MA-40 Barriers to Affordable Housing - 91 .410, 91 .210(e) <br /> Describe any negative effects of public policies on affordable housing and residential <br /> investment <br /> The affordable housing crisis in Orange County is driven by high housing costs, limited subsidized <br /> housing options outside urban areas, and restrictive zoning policies that limit density and <br /> affordability.Addressing these barriers requires policy changes, expanded financial incentives for <br /> affordable housing development, and community-driven solutions that balance the need for <br /> affordability with sustainable growth.Without targeted interventions, rent burdens will continue to <br /> rise, and low-income households will face increasing difficulty securing stable, affordable housing <br /> in Orange County. <br /> • Affordability-The lack of affordable housing in Orange County has resulted in severe rent <br /> burdens, particularly for low-and moderate-income renters.A majority of renters in the <br /> county are rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30%of their household income <br /> on rent and utilities.This problem is most severe among lower-income households <br /> • Zoning and permitting-Zoning regulations across Orange County present significant <br /> challenges to the development of higher-density, affordable housing. High land costs in <br /> service-rich areas like Chapel Hill and Carrboro make it financially challenging to develop <br /> affordable housing in locations where residents can easily access jobs,transit, healthcare, <br /> and other critical services.Without zoning reforms that allow for increased density, it will <br /> remain difficult to develop affordable housing at a scale sufficient to meet demand. <br /> Accessory dwelling unit(ADU) policies, missing middle housing initiatives, and inclusionary <br /> zoning requirements could help expand affordability in high-demand areas while reducing <br /> barriers to development. <br /> • Minimal Housing Subsidies-The geographic distribution of subsidized rental housing is a <br /> major barrier to affordability in Orange County. Currently,the only public housing <br /> developments in the county are located in Chapel Hill, and the majority of subsidized rental <br /> properties are concentrated in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.This lack of affordable housing <br /> options outside Chapel Hill and Carrboro disproportionately affects low-income residents <br /> in more rural parts of the county,where access to jobs, public transit, and social services is <br /> more limited. Expanding affordable housing options across the county is critical to ensuring <br /> equitable access to stable, affordable homes. <br /> 36 <br />