The Orange County Housing and Community Development Department (OCHCD) hosted a virtual information session about the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHA) for community agencies on Tuesday, March 30, from 2-3 p.m. EST.
OCHCD staff led a discussion on:
- The Impact of the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHA): In 2020, the EHA and HOPE Programs assisted 1,245 Orange County households and provided over $4 million in financial assistance, preventing eviction and homelessness and ensuring that residents had stable housing during the Covid-19 pandemic. This achievement was made possible by services such as the Housing Helpline, administered by the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness, which connects residents to community resources, and collaboration with community partner agencies, who advocate for Orange County residents, spread the word about resources, and assist applicants with applying to programs and services. OCHCD thanked community partners for their collaboration and outstanding service to the community.
- Emergency Housing Assistance Program Updates: OCHCD has (re)expanded eligibility for the EHA program. Due to funding shortages at the end of 2020, EHA was limited to households facing imminent eviction and/or utility disconnections or currently experiencing homelessness. However, OCHCD has received approval from the State to begin disbursing CDBG-CV funds that were awarded in December through the EHA program. Now, any household that meets income eligibility criteria and is facing housing instability is eligible to apply for EHA. The program assists Orange County residents with rent, mortgage, utility bills, security deposits, and other emergency housing-related expenses.
- EHA eligibility information, including income limits, and instruction for how to apply is available online: www.orangecountync.gov/HousingAssistance Interested residents may also contact the Housing Helpline at (919) 245-2655 or HousingHelp@orangecountync.gov.
Donating to the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Fund
If you would like to support the County’s work to prevent evictions and homelessness, please visit the Community Giving website to donate to EHA. Upon making your donation, please indicate that the funds should go towards the “Emergency Housing Assistance Fund” operated by the Orange County Department of Housing and Community Development.
“Orange County’s partnership with trusted community organizations is invaluable to ensuring that residents can access programs and services such as the EHA program, the Housing Helpline and beyond.” Said OCHCD Director Emila Sutton. “We look forward to continuing our work with community partner agencies to provide Orange County’s residents with housing at a time when stable housing is so vital to the health and wellness of residents and families.”