Housing & Community Development

The primary mission of the Orange County Housing and Community Development Department is to promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity and a suitable living environment free from discrimination.

Family at Playground

To achieve this mission, the Department has the following strategic goals:

  • Expand the supply of assisted housing
  • Improve the quality of assisted housing
  • Increase assisted housing choices
  • Ensure equal opportunity and affirmatively further fair housing
  • Enforce the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance by investigating housing and public accommodation discrimination cases

FY2018 CAPER available for public comment

The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) reports on the progress toward implementing the priorities and activities identified in the Annual Action Plan over the past year. The CAPER also shows how HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program entitlement grants have been expended and highlights the accomplishments and successes in addressing the goals established in the five-year Consolidated Plan.

Residents are encouraged to comment on the FY 2018 CAPER by calling the Orange County Department of Housing and Community Development at 919-245-2490 or email Emila Sutton at ESutton@orangecountync.gov. The comment period is from Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019 through Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019.

Rental Assistance Programs Offered by the County

Orange County offers several rental assistance programs.

  • The new Local Voucher Program (administered by the Orange County Housing Authority but local funds)
  • The Risk Mitigation & Housing Displacement Fund (which has the following components and is administered by the Housing and Community Development Department)
    • Risk Mitigation funds (landlords only)
    • Housing Stabilization funds (utility and security deposits, etc.)
    • Displacement funds (only for participants under the DMAP Program or other urgent community need)
  • Rapid Re-Housing  Program (administered by the Housing and Community Development Department)
  • Housing Choice Voucher Program (administered by the Orange County Housing Authority with federal funds)

HOME Consortium Annual Action Plan

Orange County is an entitlement community under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) HOME Investment Partnership Program. Under this program, local government join together to form a consortium to receive HOME funding for affordable housing. Orange County's consortium is made up of four members: Orange County and the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough.

Resource Guide

For housing and other resources in the Orange County community, please see the Orange County Resource Guide (PDF).