Local governments and Chapel Hill Chamber partner for long-term economic recovery survey

Orange County local government, in collaboration with The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, the Towns and our related economic allies, are committed to our community’s long-term economic recovery caused by COVID’s financial and other challenges. Please complete this important, short survey on local business conditions and business needs here in Orange County.

Your survey response will help shape how local governments, economic development professionals, and Chambers of Commerce continue to adapt efforts to support local businesses and the local economy.

The survey takes about six minutes to complete, and we ask each respondent to complete just one of the surveys, even if you receive the invitation from multiple partners. All responses are anonymous.

Please join Orange County Housing and Community Development staff to learn more about the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and other housing programs that provide rental assistance directly to landlords. We are looking forward to hearing your questions, as well as your feedback on how our programs can best work with you. Click the graphic to register for the session.

OCAS to host low-cost rabies vaccination clinic Feb. 26

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) will host a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, Feb. 26. This is a drive-through clinic that will be held in Chapel Hill.

These low-cost clinics help to ensure that cats and dogs are current on their vaccinations while providing pet owners with substantial savings on this service. The clinic will offer one-year and three-year vaccinations for $10. Pet owners will need to have a previous rabies certificate in hand to receive the three-year vaccine. A tag alone is not sufficient. The date, time, and location of the clinic are as follows:

Saturday, Feb. 26, from 9 a.m. – Noon
Park & Ride lot on Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill, NC (see map here)
This is a drive-through clinic and OCAS is asking that everyone stay in their car and wear a mask when interacting with staff or volunteers.

Microchips will also be offered at this clinic for $35 each. Owners can choose to have a pet receive only a microchip, only a rabies vaccine, or both. If you are bringing a cat to this clinic, please make sure the cat is in a secure carrier.

OCAS would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience as many participants are expected. Cash payments are encouraged to help the line of cars move more quickly.
For more details, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/308/Low-Cost-Clinics or call 919-942-PETS (7387).

Librarians at the Orange County Public Library spend hours gathering the best anime, fiction, graphic novels, and non-fiction for all ages. We are committed to bringing books and other materials to the community that celebrate all types of voices and experiences.

HOME? An Artistic Exploration of Housing in the Triangle

What does the idea or experience of “home” mean to you? What has your experience of “home” been as an artist and person living in the Triangle?

Is “home” a place of comfort, safety, and warmth, or something else? Is “home” positive, negative, or something in between?

The Orange County Arts Commission, in partnership with the Orange County Department of Housing and Community Development, invite visual and literary artists to answer these questions through works of original art.

HOME? An Artistic Exploration of Housing in the Triangle seeks to showcase “home” through the eyes and words of working artists.

Artists are invited to submit works for the exhibit opening Friday, April 1, 2022. Works will be on view and for sale through the end of April at the Eno Mill Gallery in Hillsborough. Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28.

Click here for guidelines and more information.

Click the graphic to take the survey.

State, County offer financial assistance for housing payments

The NC Homeowner Assistance Fund is now accepting applications from North Carolina homeowners whose finances were impacted by the pandemic and who need assistance with housing-related expenses.

The fund was established through the 2021 American Rescue Plan to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, displacements and foreclosures for homeowners experiencing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic. It offers assistance of up to $40,000 for qualified homeowners as long as funding is available.

For qualified homeowners, the fund offers:

Housing payment assistance for primary residence in North Carolina (for example, single-family home, townhome, condo or mobile home).
Assistance for mortgage reinstatement to catch up on late payments (first or second mortgages) or other housing-related costs due to a period of forbearance, delinquency or default.
Assistance covering other housing-related costs such as homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance, mortgage insurance, homeowner’s association dues/fees or delinquent property taxes to prevent foreclosure.

Homeowners can learn more and apply for help by calling 1-855-MY-NCHAF (1-855-696-2423) or by visiting NCHomeownerAssistance.gov.

Help is also available for renters. Orange County Housing Department manages the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Program, which has provided over $8.5 million in housing assistance to more than 2,000 Orange County residents since March 2020. This program is funded by Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, along with state and federal funding.

Rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses are eligible for reimbursement. Visit the Orange County website for more details on this program.

Feedback Needed—Take the Orange County Transit Plan Survey Today

Help shape the future of transportation in Orange County by completing the Orange County Transit Plan Survey online in English or Spanish, now through March 4.

For a paper survey, email Caroline Dwyer or call (919) 636-5032 x 401 no later than Tuesday, March 1. More information on the Orange County Transit Plan Update can be found on the project website: www.octransit2020.com.

For questions, contact Orange County Department on Aging’s Transportation Specialist, by email Brandi Beeker or call 919-717-1853.

Orange County Caregiver Support Groups

Support groups are resuming in-person meetings! These support groups are a space to meet with other caregivers to share experiences, learn new skills, and get answers to questions about dementia and other long-term disabilities. We have also added a new Zoom only group.

Zoom Only Support Group
Contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido (919-245-4253) to join.

Tuesday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Seymour
Tuesday, March 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Seymour

Chapel Hill Support Group
Contact Kendall Kopchick (919-245-4278) to join.

Friday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Seymour
Friday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Seymour

Hillsborough Support Group
Contact Kendall Kopchick (919-245-4278) to join.

Thursday, March 10 at 1 p.m. at Passmore
Thursday, March 24 at 1 p.m. at Passmore

Orange County Recreation is hiring for Summer Camp counselors. A variety of positions are open.

Registration open for Spring Athletic Leagues

Orange County Recreation Department is now registering for our Spring Youth Athletic leagues.

Youth Soccer (ages 5-15)
Registration: http://www.orangecountync.gov/576/Youth-Soccer-League---Spring

Deadline: March 4

Girls Volleyball (ages 9-15)
Registration: http://www.orangecountync.gov/582/Youth-Girls-Volleyball-League---Spring

Deadline: Feb. 28

Teen Basketball (ages 13-15)
Registration: http://www.orangecountync.gov/2893/Youth-Basketball-League---Spring-Teen

Deadline: Feb. 28

Teen Basketball is a new program that was not listed in the Program Guide and is being offered in response to requests from the public.

Department on Aging to host Brain Health Academy

The Orange County Department on Aging is proud to present the Brain Health Academy, a six-week educational program on achieving a healthy lifestyle and overall brain health.

The Academy will take place “in person” and virtually at the Passmore Center in Hillsborough from 6 – 8 pm every Wednesday beginning March 9 and culminating with a graduation ceremony on April 20. Experts will share practical information and up-to-date research at each session.

The Passmore Center is located at 103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough. Light refreshments available at the end of each presentation for in-person attendees.

Join us and take charge of your brain health!

For information and registration, please call the Passmore Center at 919-245-2015 by Wednesday, March 2.

Filing for federal, state and local offices began Thursday, Feb. 24, at 8 a.m. and will end at noon on Thursday, March 4. Click the graphic for more information.

www.orangecountync.gov