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19 <br /> If a jurisdiction provides estimates of the at-risk population(s), it should also include a <br /> description of the operational definition of the at-risk group and the methodology used to <br /> generate the estimates: <br /> OCPEH has not developed a CoC-specific definition of an "at-risk group" beyond"At risk"of <br /> homelessness as defined under§576.2 of the ESG Program Interim Rule and §578.3 of the CoC <br /> Program Interim Rule. <br /> Specify particular housing characteristics that have been linked with instability and an <br /> increased risk of homelessness <br /> Between 2016 and 2022, Orange County experienced a significant rise in housing costs, <br /> contributing to increased housing instability. Median household income grew by 40%,from $61,130 <br /> in 2016 to$85,785 in 2022. However,this increase was erased by the sharp rise in housing costs. <br /> Median gross rent increased by 35.7%,from$970 to$1,316,while the median home value surged <br /> by 40.4%,jumping from$281,700 to$395,600.These escalating costs place a disproportionate <br /> burden on lower-income households, particularly renters,who often face stagnant wages relative <br /> to rising housing expenses.As rents and home values climb, affordability becomes a pressing <br /> issue, making it increasingly difficult for residents to secure and maintain stable housing, especially <br /> for vulnerable populations such as seniors, people with disabilities, and those at risk of <br /> homelessness.This data underscores the urgency of addressing housing affordability to ensure <br /> Long-term stability for all residents. <br /> Discussion <br /> The data discussed above highlights Orange County's most pressing housing challenge:the high <br /> cost of housing and the lack of affordability for extremely low-income and very low-income <br /> households—those earning under 30%and between 30-50%of Area Median Income (AMI), <br /> respectively. Extremely low-income households make up 13.71%of all households in the county <br /> but bear a disproportionate housing cost burden.They account for 44%of all cost-burdened <br /> households, and a staggering 66%of extremely low-income households pay more than half of their <br /> income toward housing costs, amounting to nearly 4,957 households.This level of cost burden <br /> leaves many families financially vulnerable and at risk of housing instability. <br /> Very low-income households face similar challenges,with 69%spending more than 30%of their <br /> income on housing and over one-third (35%) paying more than half. Renters are particularly <br /> affected, as they make up 70%of households earning less than 30%AMI and a majority(59.3%)of <br /> households earning less than or equal to 80%AMI.This indicates that renters are <br /> disproportionately impacted by housing affordability issues, especially given the limited availability <br /> of affordable rental units.While homeowners are concentrated in higher-income brackets,their <br /> relative financial stability does little to offset the broader housing affordability crisis.Addressing <br /> these disparities requires targeted policy measures, including the preservation and expansion of <br /> affordable housing options, rental assistance programs, and initiatives that promote long-term <br /> housing stability for low-income households. <br /> 16 <br />