We are closely monitoring the situation regarding spread of the novel coronavirus. In recent days, the World Health Organization has designated COVID-19 as a pandemic, a national emergency has been declared, and the Governor has declared a peacetime state of emergency.

Our offices are closed for in-person visits, but staff are working 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Friday.

PEOPLE IN HOUSING CRISIS

• Go in person to the Department of Social Services (DSS) on Wednesdays, 8 AM – 4 PM 113 Mayo St, Hillsborough or
• Call the Homeless Hotline: 919-245-2655, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM and Sunday – Thursday overnights, Midnight – 6 AM

HOUSING AUTHORITY

Phone: 919-245-2490
Fax: 919-644-3056
Email: HCVParticipantInquiries@orangecountync.gov
Online form upload: 
http://orangecountync.gov/FormCenter/Housing-Community-Development-25/Upload-Center-197

Actions affecting current participants and people interested in the Housing Choice Voucher program:

• All appointments and briefings will now be conducted via U.S. mail or electronic means
• We are assisting current participants as the wait list remains closed for new applicants

Actions affecting current participants:

• All in-person appointments are suspended until further notice; participants may request a remote appointment via phone or video chat
• Staff will contact existing appointments to cancel in-person appointment and request return of documents by email, mail, fax, or drop-off (in the mail drop-box outside the Chapel Hill and Hillsborough offices)
• Mailings will include a return checklist as a reminder of all the documents needed and will also encourage participants to return via email, mail, or fax to limit contact

Inspections of assisted units:

• Inspections for participants moving to a new (vacant) unit will continue; inspectors will have gloves, shoe covers, and masks 
• Participants can request special inspections for life-threatening deficiencies
• Annual inspections already scheduled during this time (excluding life-threatening deficiencies) will be delayed for at least 30 days
• Landlords can self-certify repairs completed on any non-life-threatening deficiencies items; all re-inspections will be completed via self-certifications

HOUSING STABILIZATION FUND

Phone: 919-245-4331
Email: ebrandt@orangecountync.gov 

Actions affecting current participants and people interested in the County’s housing stabilization assistance:

• Applications will continue to be accepted and processed as usual; no in-person applications will be taken, but applications will be accepted by email, mail, and drop-off (in the mail drop-box outside the Chapel Hill and Hillsborough offices)
• Self-referrals will now be accepted across the board
• Applications may be triaged in order to address the most urgent housing needs first; less urgent needs may be put on hold
• For application materials, visit: http://orangecountync.gov/2359/Risk-Mitigation-and-Housing-Displacement

HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAMS

Phone: 919-245-4331
Email: ebrandt@orangecountync.gov 

Actions affecting current participants and people interested in housing repair and rehabilitation programs:

• Repair requests will be assessed on case-by-case basis; emergencies such as no heat or no hot water may be accommodated and others put on hold
• No in-person applications will be taken, but applications will be accepted by email, mail, and drop-off (in the mail drop-box outside the Chapel Hill and Hillsborough offices)

Actions affecting project management for current participants:

• All in-person appointments, including home/site visits, contractor walk-throughs, bid openings, loan closing, etc. are suspended
• Project management will be conducted by phone and email; participants may request a remote appointment via phone or video chat
• Contractor checks will be sent by mail, and will not be available for pick-up at the OCHCD office