Orange County is located halfway down the peninsula of Florida, and is considered one of the state's fastest growing counties according to the 1990 census the county's population is 677,500. Orange County is 1,003 square miles of territory about the size of Rhode Island. Prior to the 1970's Orange County was an agricultural community, predominantly citrus based. In the early 1970's Orange County became known for its many amusement parks, (Walt Disney World) tourist attractions and vacation accommodations.

Action Plan - The Orange County Consolidated Plan presents a unified vision for providing services to eligible populations in the programs of Community Development, HOME, HOPWA and ESG. The action plan provides a mechanism to implement the programs as outlined in the Consolidated Plan and is designed to meet specific objectives on an annual basis, based on the goals established in the Five Year Strategy. A major portion of the funding will be budgeted for capital improvements in target neighborhoods.

Housing Market Conditions - According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there were a total of 282,686 housing units in Orange County. Single family homes comprised 55.5%, attached single family homes 5.6%, multi-family housing 31% and mobile homes comprised 7.1% of the total number of housing units. Also Orange County has 151,225 owner occupied units the majority are 3 bedroom homes and 103,627 rental occupied units. Orange County has 6,572 substandard housing units which is 2.3% of the housing stock.

MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.

Affordable Housing Needs - Orange County has experienced an enormous population growth in the past ten years. It is estimated that approximately 1,700 people move to Orange County every month. By the year 2,000 Orange County's population could climb as high as 1,024,700 and to 1,425,600 by the year 2,010. This tremendous population increase creates a high demand for housing in particular for affordable rental units. The projected number of housing units needed (1995) for extremely low and low income persons is estimated to be 148,922.

Homeless Needs - The latest comprehensive study related to homelessness in Orange County was conducted by the Homeless Services Network. The study reveals that there are approximately 3,429 homeless persons in Orange County on any given day. Current homeless service providers serving Orange County have a total of 1,562 sleeping spaces, leaving over 1,800 homeless persons on the streets on any given day. In 1994, the local Homeless Services Network conducted an assessment of priority needs of homeless persons, the results were as follows: affordable rental housing, child care assistance, access to transportation, alcohol, drug abuse and mental health treatment, case management, emergency housing for families and youth, transitional housing, employment, medical care, emergency financial assistance, food, remedial and adult education, obtaining government subsidies.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs - Public housing in Orange County is run and operated by the City of Orlando's Housing Authority and the Housing Authority of Winter Park. The City of Orlando runs and operates 14 complexes of which two are located in Orange County. They are Marden Meadows with 45 apartments and Hawthorne Village with 35 apartments. The Winter Park units are 17 years old and have recently undergone major rehabilitation the cost of the rehabilitation is estimated at $ 950,000.00. In addition the units are also undergoing roof repairs, installation of smoke detectors and water heaters at a cost of $ 85,000.00. The demand for public housing is great many of the families housed come from the Orange County homeless shelters. The Winter Park housing authority processes 15 applications for housing assistance each week. The greatest need for housing units are the three (3) bedroom units.

Barriers to Affordable Housing - Orange County continues to identify regulatory barriers that affect the production of affordable housing and establish mechanisms for removal of their negative impacts. Orange County Affordable Housing Incentive Plan (HIP) was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on March 24, 1994. This plan was developed by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The plan, among other initiatives, includes establishment of a review process by which procedures, ordinances, regulations or plan a provisions have a significant impact on the cost of housing incentives.

Fair Housing - Orange County's Fair Housing Office was re-organized under the Department of Equal Opportunity and Professional Standards to address housing discrimination, in the County. A fair housing investigator screens complaints of housing discrimination and investigates on behalf of the County all allegations of housing discrimination. The Office receives very few complaints of housing discrimination. The majority of the allegations are based on landlord and tenant disputes. Orange County support policies that promote a healthy community environment and equal opportunities for its residents to live in safe and decent housing. The Orange County Fair Housing Ordinance offers those who have been denied equal opportunity in housing, the opportunity to seek corrective actions.

Lead Based Paint - Orange County was the first county in the State of Florida to develop a protocol for testing lead and implement mechanism for lead-based abatement.

Based on the total prior to 1949 units as a percent of total housing units, it is estimated that only 6 % of the total housing units have lead-base paint and that only 12 % of these housing units are occupied by lower income residents.

Community Development Needs - Since 1990 Orange County's population has increased by 8 percent. This increase along with the migration of new county residents indicates a need for long term planning and programming in the areas of, senior services, child care, community services, parks and recreational activities, health care, educational/training programs and abuse care program. According to 1990 census there were 225,177 households in Orange County and 11 % of this population had incomes below the poverty level. Also, the census data indicates that there were 44,179 single parent households (17 %) and 36,563 (81.8%) of those households were headed by females. In addition, the census data reveals that forty-four percent of children residing in female headed households were living below the poverty level. This demographic data indicates a need for support services for Orange County's lower income population.

Over two decades have passed since the initiation of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program in Orange County. Since then, other programs have come along such as Home Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons With Aids (HOPWA). Through the implementation of these programs we have learned that problems such as housing affordability, homelessness, poverty, etc., are too complex to just assume a reactive approach. In order to fulfill the need for a more comprehensive and pro-active approach, Orange County's first Comprehensive Affordability Strategy (CHAS) Five Year Plan was implemented in 1991 to address both policy and community needs, specifically targeted to housing. An even more ambitious approach began this year with the first Consolidated Plan, which will integrate all formula grants into one comprehensive planning document that targets housing as well as community needs of lower income persons. At the local level (Orange County) the majority of our Housing and Community Development goals have been directed to fulfill two major national objectives, housing and neighborhood revitalization.

Housing and Community Development Resources- Within Orange County, the State of Florida and the federal government also provide services throughout the community. Federal funds such as HOME funds, State SHIP dollars , Community Development Block Grant funds as well as local Public Service Tax (PST) dollars are resources for housing construction and for community revitalization activities.

Coordination of Strategic Plan - In its effect to enhance coordination between public and assisted housing providers and among private and governmental and non-profit public service agencies, the Department of Housing and Community Development utilized direct mailings, public hearing and neighborhood meetings to disseminate information about the consolidated planning process and to receive input regarding program and activity selections and ways to make the plan work effectively and efficiently. The concept of unified vision was emphasized with a de-emphasis on the provincial approach for the funding of projects and activities traditionally taken by the various concerns. Also emphasized was the strategic plan and its direct impact on the selection and funding of projects and activities under the one-year action plan.

Housing Priorities - Priorities for Affordable Housing , expand affordable rental housing opportunities for lower income persons.

Projects and Programs; HOME CHDO set-aside rental rehabilitation activities and Orange County's Affordable Housing Program, Impact Fee Discount Program, Orange County Housing and Community Development's Housing Operations Program, HOME tenant based assistance program, market and non-market incentives for affordable rental housing development.

Priorities for Homeless Alleviation - Orange County's Priority to prevent homelessness is to prevent the occurrence of homelessness in a five (5) year time frame. The objectives are to provide services to homeless people as a temporary remedy to ensure permanent housing, to support transitional housing efforts that will lead to permanent housing, support counseling programs that reach out for homeless and provide case management for those who are at risk of becoming homeless and to provide the necessary shelter, housing, operational support and infrastructure needed by existing shelters to address the growing demands for shelter and emergency services.

Non-housing Community Development Priorities - Orange County's Community Development (non-housing) priorities are as follows: infrastructure improvements (paving and drainage of streets, installation of sewer and water lines, sidewalk construction), parks and recreation development, services to seniors , child care services, neighborhood services and services to address public needs.

Anti-Poverty Strategy - Orange County Community Development Grant (CDBG) program provides funding to Orange County's Department of Community Affairs to deliver support services (educational training, job referral, food distribution, Headstart programming, emergency financial assistance, utility payment assistance, transportation services, services for the elderly, housing counseling, other support services) county-wide aimed at assisting persons in poverty. The Department of Community Affairs operates 29 Community Service Centers throughout Orange County, the Community Centers are the sites where services are provided. The following outlines the services that are provided aimed at assisting persons in poverty ; nutrition, financial management, housing referral services, educational programs, transportation and employment. Orange County's approach to reducing the number of persons in poverty is to identify the poverty is to identify the population, locate the support services in communities that are identified as having high concentrations of extremely low, low and moderate income persons (Target Areas), provide a full range of services housing, financial, emergency assistance, utility assistance, food distribution, educational programs to those persons most in need of assistance.

The overall goal of CDBG program under the one year action plan is to design and implement infrastructure, community facilities and parks, housing and public service activities . Eligible capital improvement activities for consideration include: road and paving improvements, water system improvements, sanitary sewer improvements, sidewalk construction, community centers (construction and renovation), affordable housing (site acquisition and infrastructure), housing rehabilitation, parks and recreation and economic development. The allocations are as follows:

              Infrastructure Improvements -     $ 3,051,550.00
              Community Facilities and Parks -  $   500,000.00
              Housing Rehabilitation -          $   546,481.00
              Relocation & Displacement -       $    30,000.00
              Mobile Home Rehabilitation -      $   100,000.00
              Site Acquisition -                $    90,704.00
              Homes-In-Partnership -            $    79,115.00
              Public Service Activities -       $   789,150.00

Locations -All of the projects in the One-Year Action Plan are located in Orange County Community Development Targeted areas. In addition, HOME funds are allocated to CHDO's providing services county-wide and to public service agencies that also provide services to income eligible clients county-wide.

Housing Goals - The One Year Action Plan reflects a continued commitment to housing rehabilitation and affordable housing activities. Funding for the Housing Rehabilitation program allows the County to make needed improvements to housing units owned and occupied by extremely low, low and moderate income persons throughout the county, but with emphasis on those residing in identified target areas. If needed, persons will receive relocation and displacement assistance. The Mobile Home program is designed to provide repair assistance to eligible owners of mobile homes whose units are their official place of residents and are owners of the land on which the mobile home is permanently affixed. Affordable Housing is limited through the CDBG program to site acquisition and/or infrastructure development; whereby, not-for-profit developers construct and market the newly constructed housing unit. Property and site development costs are defrayed by the County reducing the overall development and sales price of the housing unit thus making it affordable to qualified homebuyers. Administrative support for Homes-In-Partnership allows the not-for-profit agency to conduct housing activities as determined by the county in accomplishing community development objectives under the One Year Action Plan.

Mr. W.D. Morris
Manager, Housing and Community Development
525 East South Street
Orlando, FL 32801
PH: (407) 836-4247