The Orange County Housing Department has moved to a new set of eligibility guidelines for households requesting emergency housing assistance. Eligible households include those facing eviction, utility disconnection, or exiting homelessness. There are no income restrictions associated with qualifying for assistance, however, proof of income is required to apply. Additionally, there remains a $6,000 cap on the amount of funding a household can receive during a calendar year
The Orange County Housing Department, in collaboration with the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough, has administered the emergency housing assistance (EHA) program since early 2020. Full program information, including applications and the online application portal, can be found here.
“Emergency housing assistance has been successful in keeping individuals and families from being evicted, going without power or water, and from experiencing homelessness,” explained Corey Root, director of housing. “Our program changes reflect a tighter focus on assisting our most vulnerable residents.”
The Orange County Housing Department offers a variety of trauma-informed programs to help low-income residents remain in their homes or, if they are experiencing homeless, to find temporary shelter and long-term housing. Services include: emergency housing assistance, housing choice vouchers (formerly known as Section 8), housing repair and rehabilitation, property tax assistance for longtime homeowners, street outreach, and a housing helpline. For more information, visit the Orange County Housing Department website.
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A HOUSING CRISIS:
- Call the Housing Helpline 919-245-2655, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to speak with a member of our staff. Voicemails may be left anytime.
- Email housinghelp@orangecountync.gov
- Drop by for in-person hours
- Mondays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the IFC Commons, 110 West Main St, Carrboro
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill