The Orange County government recently launched a new housing initiative. The Longtime Homeowner Assistance program aims to provide property tax bill assistance to help people stay in their homes.
The amount of Longtime Homeowner Assistance a homeowner can receive is based on the increase in the county tax portion of their property tax bill. This means if the county tax section of the property tax bill was $300 in 2020 and $450 in 2021, then the Longtime Homeowner Assistance program would cover the $150 increase.
To be eligible for the Longtime Homeowner Assistance program, applicants must meet four criteria. They must live in Orange County, have lived in their home for at least ten years, have experienced an increase in property taxes from the 2021 tax revaluation and earn no more than 80 percent of the area median income. For a household of four, the income limit is just about $69,000.
Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners Renee Price said the program came about in June using American Rescue Plan funds.
“It was $250,000 set aside to assist homeowners throughout the county that are cash burden or tax burden,” Price said. “In particular because of the recent revaluation where people’s property value went up significantly as a result of other real estate activities around them.”
The commissioners later approved and implemented the project in October.
Maria Dewees, Orange County’s Housing and Community Development Specialist, said the program aims to help residents who are affected by the property tax revaluation.
“We know that high property taxes create a cost-burden for homeowners particularly longtime homeowners who might have low or fixed-incomes which can threaten their housing stability,” Dewees said.
Price said the program is more than just protecting senior citizens and their homes. It also is focused on young families and neighborhood preservation.
“In particular some of our communities of color where people generally because of a history of marginalization have lower incomes and have struggled a bit to keep their properties,” Price said. “We want to make sure that people can stay here and still be a part of this community as their ancestors have been.”
Homeowners applying to the program can apply in three ways: an online application portal, a paper application form, or by contacting the Orange County Housing Helpline.
Applications will be accepted through December 15.
For more information on the Longtime Homeowner Assistance Program, click here.
Photo via WRAL
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