Orange County extends Emergency Declaration indefinitely

With hospitalizations increasing and the Delta variant spreading, Orange County has extended the local COVID-19 related State of Emergency declaration indefinitely, The extension went into effect Friday, July 23, at 5 p.m.

Orange County's percent positive rate of COVID tests was at 0.4 percent, the week of June 6-12, but has increased steadily since, reaching 1.3% for the week of July 4-10 and 2.9% for the week of July 11-17. Most of the new cases are amongst unvaccinated individuals and are caused by the rapidly spreading Delta variant.

The Health Department continues to urge individuals who are eligible for a vaccine to get the shot. Learn more about how to schedule an appointment here.

Orange County will continue to follow the terms of Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 220 related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. As noted in Executive Order 220, the Local Education Agencies of Orange County, together with all other public and private schools in Orange County, shall comply with the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit.

With eviction moratoriums expiring, Orange County Housing ready to help residents in need

With federal and state COVID-related eviction moratorium programs already expired or set to expire July 31, Orange County residents and families facing eviction can seek assistance through the Orange County Housing Helpline and the Eviction Diversion Program.

The Housing Helpline connects people with eviction diversion, homeless services and other resources. Contact us during business hours at 919-245-2655 or housinghelp@orangecountync.gov.

“It can be difficult when you are having problems to know where to go for help,” said Housing Director, Corey Root. “The Housing Helpline is one-stop shopping for anyone in housing crisis to connect with appropriate funding and resources.”

Since launching in April 2020, the Housing Helpline has served nearly 8,000 households and responded to more than 20,000 calls and 16,000 emails. Calls are answered live in over 200 languages from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Voicemails and emails will be responded to during business hours.

Staff can assist with several programs, including the Orange County Eviction Diversion (EDP) program, which provides free legal representation for individuals and families threatened with eviction. Over 1,700 households in Orange County have accessed nearly $6.8 million in rental and utility assistance since March 2020. The EDP has assisted over 200 Orange County Households facing eviction since its creation in July 2020, allowing residents to remain in their home or obtain additional time to find an alternative residence.
The EDP can be accessed through the Housing Helpline at 919-245-2655 or housinghelp@orangecountync.gov, or directly through the EDP Intake Form.

The Orange County Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) program, funded via the Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Carrboro, Town of Hillsborough and Orange County, also continues to assist people with rent, mortgage and utility payments. People can apply online. In person help is available on Tuesdays between 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Southern Human Services Center (2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill). For help over the phone or by email, contact the Housing Helpline.

The recently reopened HOPE Program (https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/hope-program) provides rent and utility assistance for renters who meet income requirements. New HOPE applicants can apply online: https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/hope-program/applicant-pre-screening-tool. Returning HOPE applicants can call (888) 927-5467 to speak with someone about their application.

Two grants. One goal. Reduce barriers to library use.

The Orange County Public Library is pleased to announce it has received two grants totaling $62,343 to reduce barriers to library use. The library will use the funds to purchase a mobile app and contact-less self-checkout machines, Chromebooks for at-home use and, a customized website for computer instruction. The new services will be available for use this winter.

Lack of transportation or work and family demands make it difficult for some residents to get to the library or to use the library’s online services. Systemic racism and economic disparities also factor into the equation, issues the Orange County Public Library seeks to address head-on.

“We want to make it easier for all residents to perform the most basic of library tasks – borrow materials,” said Orange County Library Director Lucinda Munger. “Many individuals in our community work odd hours, and in some cases two jobs, on top of raising a family. That does not leave a lot of time left over to come to the library. We also know public libraries need to take intentional steps to ensure people of color feel welcomed to use our services.”

The mobile app will reduce the time needed to borrow materials and manage multiple library accounts. Once the immediate threat of the pandemic is over, having the app will make it possible to offer circulation services at community locations.

Munger noted that more than 5,000 Orange County residents still lack internet access. “Not everyone has a laptop at home or the computer knowledge to complete tasks many of us take for granted: applying for a job, doing homework, or working from home, disparities put into high relief during the pandemic.”

The County has a Broadband Taskforce to investigate ways to increase internet access, and in the meantime, the library is taking steps to address that gap.

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Animal Services offers a grant program to support animal welfare initiatives

Orange County Animal Services is offering The Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Grant, a program to support animal welfare initiatives and projects in Orange County, thanks to a generous donation from Friends of Orange County Animal Shelter. This is the sixth year the award has been offered, and it will be awarded for initiatives up to $500. Applications must be received by Friday, Oct 15.

The grant can be used for a wide range of pilot or seed projects or to supplement other programs, projects, and grants which support companion animals, including those animals used in recreation or therapy. It is available to individuals, groups, and organizations and although the recipients do not have to live in Orange County, the funds must be used to aid animal welfare efforts in Orange County. Past recipients include Hope Animal Rescue, Independent Animal Rescue, NC Therapeutic Riding Center, Pet Pals, Trestle Leaf Web Design, and Carolina Boxer Rescue.

The program honors Pat Sanford, former Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Orange County (APS). Sanford served there for 17 years, where she pushed for spay/neuter to combat the county’s pet overpopulation problem, helped expand the APS twice, and created a wildlife rehabilitation component that would carry on beyond her retirement. After her retirement in 2002, Sanford continued her work for Orange County animals and served on the county’s Animal Services Advisory Board for several years.

Ms. Sanford’s accomplishments are vast and her contributions helped Orange County become one of the leading counties in the state and country for animal placement, recovery, and overall well-being. The grants awarded in her honor will support efforts that exemplify the same dedication and commitment to animal welfare in Orange County. The initial donation will sustain the program for a 10-year period. Additional donations are welcomed to increase the annual award amount and to extend the period in which the grant is awarded.

For more information on the grant, to find the application, and to find out more about giving opportunities for this program, visit http://www.orangecountync.gov/368/Pat-Sanford-Animal-Welfare-Award.

Department on Aging Direct Care Worker Award nominations now open!

Since 2015, Orange County Department on Aging and the community group, Senior Health Advocacy and Resource Partners of Orange County (SHARP) have presented SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards each year to honor Direct Care Workers (nurse aides, personal care aides, companion caregivers, etc.) who affect their clients’ lives on a daily basis.

Awards are presented in the following categories: Client Impact, Longevity, Leadership, Going the Extra Mile, and Rising Star. One person will be chosen as the “Direct Care Worker of the Year.”

To be eligible, direct care workers must have served clients in Orange County within the past year. Each person may be nominated in two categories. Nominees must have provided direct care to clients and have at least six consecutive months of service in the past year.

Nominations will remain open through Sept. 24. For more information about the awards or to nominate a direct care worker, please visit us online or contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido at 919-245-4253.

What is important to you as you age in Orange County?

The Orange County Department on Aging and its Advisory Board are seeking the input of the community as they develop the next Master Aging Plan.

The Master Aging Plan (MAP) is a five-year plan that provides comprehensive and coordinated delivery of community services and supports that foster lifelong community engagement and well-being to older adults in Orange County. We are counting on your input to help develop the 2022-27 Master Aging Plan. The Master Aging Plan goals should reflect what is most important to you!

Survey participants have the opportunity to anonymously share their ideas and vision about how to make Orange County a great place to age. Take the survey online by visiting www.orangecountync.gov/MAPSurvey. A hardcopy of the survey can be picked up at the Seymour Center (2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill) or Passmore Center (103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough).

The survey closes July 31 and is available in English, Chinese and Spanish.

For more information or assistance, please call 919-968-2087 or visit www.orangecountync.gov/MasterAgingPlan.

Deadline to appeal property values extended to Sept. 1

On June 15, 2021, the Orange County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to extend the 2021 Orange County Board of Equalization and Review Formal Appeal adjournment date from June 30, 2021, to Sept. 1, 2021.

The purpose of this extension is to allow additional time for property owners to formally appeal their 2021 property values to the Board of Equalization and Review.

Instructions and the Formal Notice of Appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review are available on the Orange County website: http://www.orangecountync.gov/806/Appeals.
Property owners may file a formal appeal online at https://appeals.spatialest.com/nc-orange.

To receive a paper copy of the form, email reval@orangecountync.gov or call 919-245-2100, option 2. All formal appeals must be submitted prior to the Board’s adjournment on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.

www.orangecountync.gov