Orange County NC Website
25 <br /> According to the 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count data from OCPEH,African Americans are the <br /> Largest racial/ethnic group experiencing homelessness in Orange County,with 70 individuals <br /> identified, making up 56%of the total homeless population.This stark disparity is particularly <br /> concerning given that African Americans represent only 12%of the county's overall population, <br /> highlighting a significant overrepresentation in homelessness.White individuals constitute the <br /> second-largest group,with 54 individuals experiencing homelessness. Other racial and ethnic <br /> groups account for a smaller portion of the homeless population, including Hispanic individuals, <br /> with only five reported cases.These findings underscore deep racial disparities in housing stability, <br /> emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions, equitable housing policies, and expanded <br /> support services to address the systemic factors contributing to homelessness in Orange County. <br /> Describe the Nature and Extent of Unsheltered and Sheltered Homelessness. <br /> 2023 Point-in-Time Count data provided by OCPEH there were 126 people experiencing <br /> homelessness in Orange County. Of those, 90 (71%)were sheltered while 36(29%)were <br /> unsheltered. <br /> Discussion <br /> Homelessness in Orange County remains a persistent challenge,though recent estimates indicate <br /> a slight decline compared to previous years. However,the numbers continue to reflect significant <br /> housing instability,with high and rising housing costs serving as a major driver. Limited access to <br /> essential services, as identified by OCPEH in its most recent report,further exacerbates the issue. <br /> At the same time, income-based rental assistance remains insufficient, as both the Orange County <br /> Housing Authority and Chapel Hill Department of Affordable Housing and Community Connections <br /> continue to maintain long waitlists for Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing units. <br /> Addressing these gaps through expanded housing assistance programs, enhanced service <br /> coordination, and evidence-based interventions will be crucial to further reducing homelessness in <br /> Orange County. <br /> NA-45 Non-Homeless Special Needs Assessment - 91 .405, 91 .205 (b,d) <br /> Introduction <br /> This section analyzes the housing needs for people who are not experiencing homelessness but <br /> have unique service and housing needs. Specifically,we analyze the presence and housing needs <br /> of four populations: elderly(aged over 65),the disabled, elderly disabled, and persons with <br /> HIV/AIDS. Data in this section come from the American Community Survey(2019-2023 estimates), <br /> North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Orange County Department on Aging, <br /> and other reports. <br /> Describe the characteristics of people with service/housing needs in your community: <br /> • Elderly:According to 2019-2023 American Community Survey estimates,there are 23,101 <br /> individuals in Orange County over 65 years old.This comprises 15.7%of the population. In <br /> addition,there are 8,625 persons in Orange County over 75 years old, comprising 5.9%of <br /> the total population. <br /> 22 <br />