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49 <br /> Orange County benefits from a community health clinic within the UNC Hospital System,which <br /> provides essential healthcare services to low-income and housing-insecure residents. However, <br /> gaps in care remain, particularly in free healthcare access for individuals experiencing or at risk of <br /> homelessness.Additionally,there is a critical need for expanded mental health and substance use <br /> treatment, as well as case management services,to support individuals struggling with chronic <br /> homelessness, addiction, and co-occurring disorders.The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) <br /> plays a vital role in bridging service gaps by providing relationship-based, client-centered support in <br /> areas such as job readiness,job search assistance, and life skills development. CEF operates an <br /> integrated service center in Chapel Hill,where clients can access employment support,financial <br /> education, and connections to other essential services, helping individuals build long-term stability <br /> and self-sufficiency. Expanding these healthcare and support services will be essential to <br /> addressing the complex needs of Orange County's most vulnerable residents. <br /> Describe the strengths and gaps of the service delivery system for people with service needs <br /> and persons experiencing homelessness, including, but not limited to,the services listed <br /> above <br /> The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness(OCPEH) serves as a strong and effective <br /> Lead agency for the Orange County Continuum of Care (CoC), ensuring a coordinated and data- <br /> driven approach to addressing homelessness in the county.Through strategic partnerships and <br /> best-practice models,the CoC has implemented several key initiatives to enhance housing stability <br /> and streamline access to critical services for people experiencing homelessness. <br /> • Coordinated Intake and Assessment:The CoC has implemented a coordinated entry <br /> system for both families and individuals experiencing homelessness, ensuring that housing <br /> and services are distributed fairly and efficiently based on need rather than a first-come, <br /> first-served basis. <br /> • Prioritization for Permanent Supportive Housing(PSH):The CoC prioritizes people with <br /> disabilities, chronic health conditions, and long-term homelessness for placement in <br /> permanent supportive housing(PSH) units using the Vulnerability Index-Service <br /> Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool(VI-SPDAT).This ensures that those with the most <br /> urgent and complex housing needs receive assistance first. <br /> • Housing Choice Voucher(HCV) Preference for Vulnerable Populations:The Orange County <br /> Housing Department offers a preference within its Housing Choice Voucher(HCV) program <br /> for certain highly vulnerable subpopulations of people experiencing homelessness.This <br /> targeted approach improves access to long-term rental assistance for individuals facing the <br /> highest barriers to stable housing. <br /> • Regular Outreach to Unsheltered Individuals:The CoC conducts proactive, consistent <br /> outreach to people living unsheltered, building relationships and connecting them to <br /> housing resources and supportive services.This engagement helps reduce barriers to <br /> housing entry and ensures that people who have been chronically homeless receive the <br /> intensive support they need to transition into permanent supportive housing. <br /> 46 <br />