Emergency Housing Assistance

The Emergency Housing Assistance program is currently experiencing a very high volume of applications, which has caused a delay application processing time. We currently expect to review applications within 6-8 weeks of the submission date and staff are working hard to shorten turnaround times. Thank you for your patience.

Check our Twitter for the latest EHA updates!
https://twitter.com/OrangeDept


The EHA Program has provided over $12 million in housing assistance to more than 2,500 Orange County residents since March 2020. Orange County also administered the first round of the HOPE Program beginning in the Fall of 2020 and disbursed $1.9 million to over 400 families. Combined, the programs have provided nearly $8 million to ensure residents can remain in stable housing.

Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Para español, haga clic aquí

The Emergency Housing Assistance fund was created under the Risk Mitigation and Housing Displacement Fund to help Orange County residents with low incomes prevent eviction and homelessness and secure and maintain stable housing. Assistance is available to households in Orange County that:

  1. Earn no more than 50% of the area median income (AMI), 
  2. Have an urgent need for housing assistance that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
  3. Do not have adequate resources to cover the cost of their housing need.

The most current income limits for Orange County are below:

  • 1-person household: $20,100
  • 2-person household: $22,950
  • 3-person household: $25,800
  • 4-person household: $28,650
  • 5-person household: $32,470
  • 6-person household: $37,190
  • 7-person household: $41,910
  • 8-person household: $46,630
    Source: 2022 HUD Income Limits

Eligible Costs 

Rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses.

Donating to the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Fund

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.

Additional Program Documents

How to Apply for EHA

Option 1: Online Application Portal 

  1. Go to our online application portal: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/ORANGECOUNTYNC/Participant/ 
  2. Create an account, confirm it using the link that will be sent to your email, and sign into your account.
  3. Under "Start a New Application", select Emergency Housing Assistance, and create an application. NOTE: You must select "Emergency Housing Assistance" (and not another option, such as "HOME Program") in order for your application to go through. Along with submitting the application, you will be required to provide:
    1. Documentation verifying total gross household income
    2. Statement, invoice, or other documentation of the expense(s) to be covered
  4. Be sure to click "Complete & Continue" after each section of the application is complete. You can also click "Save" to come back and complete a section later.
  5. Submit your application through the portal once all sections are complete.

Option 2: Apply through the Housing Helpline

  1. Complete an Emergency Housing Assistance application 
    1. Download from the "Application Documents" section OR 
    2. Call or email the Housing Helpline to get an application: 919-245-2655 or HousingHelp@orangecountync.gov
  2. In addition to the application, provide:
    1. Documentation verifying total gross household income* 
    2. Statement, invoice, or other documentation of the expense(s) to be covered
  3. Submit your application and attachments: 
    1. By email HousingHelp@orangecountync.gov
    2. By mail 
      Orange County Housing Dept, Attn: EHA, PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278
    3. By placing them in the drop boxes outside housing department offices: 
      The Whitted Building, 300 W. Tryon St (Hillsborough) or 
      Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd (Chapel Hill)
    4. You may also drop off applications at our reception desks at the Whitted Building (3rd floor) or the Southern Human Services Center, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.

* See the EHA Application for a checklist of the acceptable source documentation

Application Documents

Questions?

Contact the Housing Helpline at HousingHelp@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2655