Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
26 <br /> • People with disabilities:According to 2019-2023 American Community Survey estimates, <br /> there are 8,203 disabled individuals under 65 living in Orange County. <br /> • Elderly people with disabilities:Within the disabled population, 5,203 are also elderly <br /> (over the age of 65).This figure represents 29%of the entire elderly population. <br /> What are the housing and supportive service needs of these populations and how are these <br /> needs determined? <br /> Elderly:According to the 2022-2027 Orange County Department of Aging Master Plan,the focus of <br /> efforts should be on the following eight domains of livability that influence the quality of life for <br /> older adults: <br /> 1. Outdoor Spaces and Buildings <br /> 2. Transportation <br /> 3. Housing <br /> 4. Social Participation <br /> 5. Respect and Social Inclusion <br /> 6. Civic Participation and Employment <br /> 7. Communication and Information <br /> 8. Community and Health Services <br /> These goals suggest the housing needs for elderly adults include(1) providing additional affordable <br /> units specifically for the elderly, (2) retrofitting existing units to make them accessible, and (3) <br /> increasing support to change non-housing conditions in the community(e.g.,transportation)to <br /> allow Orange County adults to age in place. <br /> People with disabilities:A 2024 report by the ncIMPACT Initiative highlights a significant shortage <br /> of decent, secure, and affordable housing across North Carolina's urban, suburban, and rural <br /> communities.This shortage disproportionately affects low-income households,with many renters <br /> spending more than 30%of their income on housing costs, indicating a severe cost burden. It <br /> highlights that the lack of affordable housing in the region (which includes Orange County) <br /> exacerbates challenges faced by persons with disabilities in searching for housing. <br /> Elderly people with disabilities:According to 2023 American Community Survey(ACS) estimates, <br /> the most prevalent disabilities among the elderly disabled population in Orange County are <br /> ambulatory difficulty, hearing difficulty, and independent living difficulty.These challenges highlight <br /> the growing need for expanded supportive services to assist older adults with daily activities, such <br /> as grocery shopping, running errands, and accessing healthcare appointments,which may become <br /> 23 <br />