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33 <br /> result, simply ensuring that FMRs align with market rents is not enough to increase housing access <br /> for voucher holders. <br /> The unwillingness of landlords to participate in the program severely limits the housing options <br /> available to low-income renters. In a market where vacancy rates are already low and demand is <br /> high,voucher holders often struggle to find landlords who will accept their vouchers, leading to <br /> longer housing searches, increased housing instability, and in some cases,voucher expiration <br /> before placement is secured. <br /> MA-20 Condition of Housing— 91 .410,91 .210(a) <br /> Describe the need for owner and rental rehabilitation based on the condition of the <br /> jurisdiction's housing. <br /> Many owner-occupied housing units in Orange County need rehabilitation,yet many homeowners <br /> Lack the financial resources necessary to make critical repairs and improvements. Unfortunately, <br /> the availability of local, state, and federal funding for housing rehabilitation remains insufficient to <br /> meet the growing demand. Even where assistance programs exist,they often come with complex <br /> eligibility requirements, extensive paperwork, and long waiting periods, making it difficult for <br /> homeowners—especially those with low or fixed incomes—to access the support they need. For <br /> renter-occupied housing,the challenges are different but equally pressing. Many rental units are <br /> owned by institutional investors or out-of-state landlords,who are often unresponsive to tenant <br /> concerns about maintenance and housing conditions.Without local oversight or incentives for <br /> responsible property management,tenants in low-income and older rental properties frequently <br /> face substandard living conditions, including deteriorating structures, outdated utilities, and health <br /> hazards such as mold or pest infestations. <br /> A significant number of the county's existing affordable housing units require rehabilitation and <br /> accessibility modifications to remain habitable and inclusive.These needs are particularly urgent <br /> given that: <br /> • 67%of renters earning below 50%of AMI report experiencing at least one housing problem, <br /> such as cost burden, overcrowding, or inadequate living conditions. <br /> • 44.4%of homeowners under 50%of AMI also report facing at least one housing-related <br /> challenge, often due to the inability to afford necessary repairs and modifications. <br /> Estimate the number of housing units within the jurisdiction that are occupied by low or <br /> moderate income families that contain lead-based paint hazards. 91.205(e),91.405 <br /> Based on updated estimates,the total number of housing units in Orange County with possible <br /> Lead paint is 18,638, representing a significant portion of the county's older housing stock.Within <br /> that number, it is estimated that approximately 8,000 of these housing units have children present, <br /> putting them at greater risk of lead exposure.Additionally,41.7%of Orange County's population <br /> earns below 80%of the Area Median Income(AMI).Assuming that this population is evenly <br /> distributed across all housing units by age of construction, a substantial portion of these 18,638 <br /> older housing units are occupied by low-and moderate-income families,further emphasizing the <br /> need for targeted lead abatement efforts and home rehabilitation programs.To address this issue, <br /> 30 <br />