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

• Call the Housing Helpline: 919-245-2655, Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM and Sunday – Thursday overnights, Midnight – 6 AM
• Email HousingHelp@orangecountync.gov

LANDLORDS

• Landlords can receive up to $1,000 leasing bonus per unit for renting to tenants participating in certain housing assistance programs
• Click here to learn more

HOUSING AUTHORITY

Call Center: 919-245-2485

Main Office: 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

EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Phone: 919-245-2655  
Email: HousingHelp@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/Emergency-Housing-Assistance

If you would like support the County’s work to prevent evictions and homelessness, please visit the Community Giving website to donate to the Emergency Housing Assistance Fund. Your donation will directly assist people experiencing housing emergencies in Orange County to remain stable in housing. 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.

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