Board of Commissioners approve new Longtime Homeowner Assistance program

Orange County will launch a new Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) program on Oct. 8 to provide property tax bill assistance to help people stay in their homes. To qualify, homeowners must:

Live in Orange County;
Have lived in their home for at least 10 years;
Have experienced an increase in property taxes due to the 2021 tax revaluation; and
Earn no more than 80% of the area median income (see income chart below).

Below is a chart showing income limits by family size:

1--$48,400
2--$55,300
3--$62,200
4--$69,100
5--$74,650
6--$80,200
7--$85,700
8--$91,250

Orange County will accept applications starting Oct. 8. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2021, to allow time for processing.

There are three ways to apply:

1) Online Application Portal: https://orangecountynchousing.submittable.com/submit

2) Paper Applications: Pick up a paper application at the Orange County Housing and Community Development Department offices:

Hillsborough Office: 300 West Tryon Street, 3^rd Floor, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Chapel Hill Office: 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Completed paper applications can be dropped in the drop boxes outside of the Housing and Community Development offices or mailed to:
        Orange County Housing and Community Development
        P.O. Box 8181
        Hillsborough, NC 27278

3) Phone/Email: Housing Helpline staff can help people complete and submit applications and to give information on the supporting documentation needed. Call 919-245-2655 or email HousingHelp@orangecountync.gov.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners initiated the LHA Program on June 15, 2021, by allocating $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to assist households affected by the 2021 countywide property revaluation. The final program design was approved at its Oct. 5, 2021, business meeting.

For more information about the LHA Program, visit the webpage: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2813/Longtime-Homeowner-Assistance-Program

www.orangecountync.gov