Orange County is maintaining its eviction resources and housing aid to community members as recent moratoriums on evictions are set to expire.

Both the federal government and North Carolina government established moratoriums in 2020 to help those who lost jobs during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Roy Cooper’s measure, which was outlined in an executive order and got extended for more than a year, expire at the end of June. President Joe Biden also announced the moratorium put in place by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in October will also expire on Saturday, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s lack of support for another extension in June.

While some members of U.S. Congress are attempting to craft legislation in the moratorium’s waning hours, millions of Americans are expected to be left without residences in August.

Two Orange County programs launched during the pandemic, though, are available for those the evictions moratorium most helped. The county’s Eviction Diversion Program offers free legal representation for individuals and families who may face losing their homes. Such services can help people stay in their residences or give them more time to find an alternative place to stay.

According to Orange County, more than 200 households facing eviction have been directly aided by the Eviction Diversion Program since its launch in July 2020. Additionally, more than 1,700 households in the area have accessed nearly $6.8 million in rental and utility assistance since March.

One resource that also helps connect Orange County residents to such financial assistance is the Housing Helpline. Launched in April 2020, the phone line has responded to more than 20,000 calls, answered 16,000 email requests and served nearly 8,000 Orange County households seeking help.

“It can be difficult when you are having problems to know where to go for help,” Orange County Housing Director Corey Root said in a release. “The Housing Helpline is one-stop shopping for anyone in housing crisis to connect with appropriate funding and resources.”

With calls able to be answered live in more than 200 languages, the Housing Hotline is 919-245-2655 by phone or housinghelp@orangecountync.gov by email. Each have staff on hand to respond to requests Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the county government.

Additionally resources available to those facing evictions are the statewide NC HOPE program established during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Emergency Housing Assistance Program through the Town of Chapel Hill.

 

Photo via the Orange County government.

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