Orange County will launch a new Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) program on Oct. 8 to provide property tax bill assistance to help people stay in their homes. The Orange County Board of Commissioners initiated the LHA Program on June 15, 2021, by allocating $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to assist households affected by the 2021 countywide property revaluation.
To qualify, homeowners must:
- Live in Orange County;
- Have lived in their home for at least 10 years;
- Have experienced an increase in property taxes due to the 2021 tax revaluation; and
- Earn no more than 80% of the area median income (see income chart below).
Below is a chart showing income limits by family size:
Number of people | Income limit |
| 1 | $48,400 |
| 2 | $55,300 |
| 3 | $62,200 |
| 4 | $69,100 |
| 5 | $74,650 |
| 6 | $80,200 |
| 7 | $85,700 |
| 8 | $91,250 |
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Orange County will accept applications starting Oct. 8. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2021, to allow time for processing.
There are three ways to apply:
1) Online Application Portal: www.orangecountync.gov/LHA_Portal
2) Paper Applications: Pick up a paper application at the Orange County Housing and Community Development Department offices:
- Hillsborough Office: 300 West Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, Hillsborough, NC 27278
- Chapel Hill Office: 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Completed paper applications can be dropped in the drop boxes outside of the Housing and Community Development offices or mailed to:
Orange County Housing and Community Development
P.O. Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
3) Phone/Email: Housing Helpline staff can help people complete and submit applications and to give information on the supporting documentation needed. Call 919-245-2655 or email HousingHelp@orangecountync.gov.
For more information about the LHA Program, visit the webpage www.orangecountync.gov/LHAP.