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. 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
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

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.

Click here for more information and a link to the application portal.

Youth winter basketball registration graphic

The Orange County Youth Basketball League is a developmental program for area youth ages 5 to 12. Volunteer coaches will work with the children to improve individual skills in dribbling, passing, and shooting while instilling values in teamwork and sportsmanship. Players ages 7 and above will be placed on teams through a mandatory skills assessment process. Click the graphic to register.

Pfizer Booster Shots Available for High-Risk Groups

To strengthen and extend protections against severe illness, North Carolinians at high risk for serious illness or exposure who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine for six months or more can now receive a COVID-19 booster shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot is recommended for individuals who have been fully vaccinated for six months or more with the Pfizer vaccine. People who are 65 years or older, 18 years or older with underlying medical conditions or work in a high-risk setting like healthcare workers, teachers and childcare providers or food workers are eligible in North Carolina.

Who is Eligible
CDC recommends the following groups should get a COVID-19 booster if they have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine:

people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
people aged 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
people 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks; and
people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

Click here for more information.

Orange County Mobile Vaccine Team Available for Home Vaccinations

In an effort to ensure that all community members have access to the COVID-19 vaccine, the Orange County Mobile Vaccine Team is ready to vaccinate people who are homebound or are otherwise unable to travel to a vaccine clinic.

Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart said, “Orange County may lead the state in vaccinations with over 60% of community members fully vaccinated, but we will not rest until everyone is able to get a vaccine if they want one.”

The Mobile Vaccine Team serves people who are medically fragile or may be physically unable to leave their home. For instance, people who need supplemental oxygen encounter logistical challenges when traveling to a vaccine clinic. Or bed bound people may not be able to make or afford the trip because of the high cost of convalescent services.

“We work with agencies in the community, non-profits, coalitions, community groups, and health and living facilities to identify individuals across the county that may be in need of services, especially those that are homebound and are unable to visit community clinics,” said Katie Benedyk, Community Paramedic with Orange County Emergency Services. “Many of the people we have served do employ health services to come to their home, but these services have largely been unable to provide a vaccine to them. We are able to fill that gap.”

How to Sign Up

Visit www.orangecountync.gov/MobileVax
Call 919-245-6127 and leave a message.

Applicants Needed For Orange County Housing Authority Board

The Orange County Housing Authority Board is currently seeking applications, particularly from Orange County residents residing outside Chapel Hill Town Limits, for an open at-large position.

Orange County Housing Authority Board members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low and moderate-income families in the County. At least one member of the board shall be a Housing Choice Voucher holder. Other board members may represent the following areas of interest: real estate, development, affordable housing, municipal law, and banking.

The Orange County Housing Authority Board typically meets on the Third Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. If interested, apply at www.orangecountync.gov/Apply.

Orange County strives for authentically diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. Residents of all demographic backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Applicants must reside in Orange County. Volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have the opportunity to directly influence the County’s decisions, policies, and priorities.

For additional information, contact Tara May at 919-245-2125 or tmay@orangecountync.gov.

Blackwood Morning painting by Duncan Moore of Durham, NC

Blackwood Morning by Duncan Moore of Durham won third place in the 2018 contest.

OCAC sponsors Fifth Annual Paint It Orange Plein Air Pain-Out

The Orange County Arts Commission presents the 5th Annual Paint It Orange Plein Air Paint-Out and Wet Paint Sale November 3-5, 2021.

Artists are invited to Orange County to capture the landscapes and landmarks signature to the Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Carrboro communities. Participating artists will paint at sites of their choosing throughout Orange County from Nov. 3-5, and will submit up to three of their favorite paintings for jurying on Friday, Nov. 5 at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery in Hillsborough.

An awards reception and preview party will take place at 6 p.m., followed by a reception and Wet Paint Sale at 7 p.m., in which the submitted paintings will be available for sale.

The Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program provides free, unbiased education and assistance with Medicare. We can help you understand when and how to enroll, how to choose between the different Medicare options, and how to read your Medicare statements. We offer classes and one-on-one counseling appointments. Medicare open enrollment runs Oct. 15 - Dec. 7. Many seniors can save money by switching plans – sometimes as much as $500 or even more, but you have to switch during Open Enrollment.

Inktober graphic from Orange County Public Library

Visitor's Bureau Board meeting postponed to Oct. 27

The Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau has rescheduled its board meeting from Oct. 20 at 8 a.m. to Oct. 27, at 8 a.m. The meeting will be held virtually. Interested parties can call (919) 245-4320 or email info@visitchapelhill.org for information on viewing the meeting.

early voting graphic with dates and locations

Early voting for municipal elections and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education began Oct. 14. Click the link for more information or to learn how to register.

www.orangecountync.gov