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18 <br /> Senior households and those including a person with a disability are disproportionately affected by <br /> the high cost of housing in Orange County.These populations often rely on fixed or limited incomes, <br /> such as Social Security or disability benefits,which fail to keep pace with rapidly rising housing <br /> costs.This economic strain leaves many older adults and individuals with disabilities vulnerable to <br /> housing instability,forcing them to make difficult trade-offs between essential needs, such as <br /> healthcare,food, and housing. <br /> In addition, individuals and families experiencing homelessness or those at risk of becoming <br /> homeless are especially impacted by the county's housing affordability crisis.These individuals <br /> often face a combination of insufficient income, high housing costs, and systemic barriers to <br /> accessing stable housing, such as limited affordable housing stock and restrictive rental <br /> requirements. For people in these circumstances, even modest rent increases or unexpected <br /> expenses can push housing entirely out of reach, perpetuating cycles of homelessness and <br /> instability. <br /> The intersection of limited income, high housing costs, and systemic barriers underscores the need <br /> for targeted interventions and providing supportive services to help vulnerable populations secure <br /> and maintain stable housing.Addressing these disparities is essential to promoting housing equity <br /> and improving the quality of life for all residents, particularly those most at risk. <br /> Describe the characteristics and needs of Low-income individuals and families with children <br /> (especially extremely low-income)who are currently housed but are at imminent risk of either <br /> residing in shelters or becoming unsheltered 91.205(c)/91.305(c)).Also discuss the needs of <br /> formerly homeless families and individuals who are receiving rapid re-housing assistance and <br /> are nearing the termination of that assistance <br /> The imminent risk of homelessness in Orange County is reflected in the households served by our <br /> Emergency Housing Assistance(EHA) Program and Eviction Diversion Program (EDP), both of which <br /> provide critical support to individuals and families facing housing instability. Each year,we process <br /> approximately 400 EDP cases for tenants navigating eviction proceedings and 400 EHA applications <br /> for households seeking emergency rental assistance,with significant overlap between the two <br /> programs. Based on these figures,we estimate that between 600 and 700 unique households <br /> experience a severe risk of displacement annually. Furthermore, estimates show that up to 70%of <br /> these households include children, highlighting the urgent need for family-focused eviction <br /> prevention strategies. Strengthening data tracking efforts, expanding early intervention resources, <br /> and integrating wraparound services—such as legal aid,financial counseling, and tenant <br /> protections—will be essential in mitigating homelessness risk and promoting long-term housing <br /> stability for vulnerable families. <br /> Orange County has seen success in implementing a homeless diversion program, and have moved <br /> the following number of vulnerable households each year presenting for a shelter bed into housing <br /> a mix of strengths-based guided conversation plus flexible funding: <br /> • 2020-87 <br /> • 2021 -145 <br /> • 2022-141 <br /> • 2023-178 <br /> 15 <br />