Wow! 101 community leaders from across the County gathered at Lee’s Chapel last week to prepare for Fall action. Leaders ratified holding an assembly on Tues., Nov. 19 (RSVP here!), in order to:

1) Secure public commitments on quickly actionable issues, and 

2) Position ourselves with initial commitments for 2025 campaigns.

On Nov. 19, we can win immediately actionable commitments from:

  • Orange County Social Services Director, for outreach and enrollment events for Medicaid Expansion in Northern Orange.
  • UNC Health Financial Assistance Director, for regular info + enrollment sessions.

On Nov. 19, we can also position ourselves for 2025 campaigns with initial public commitments from:

  • Alliance Health for partnering with us to create more reentry housing in Orange County.
  • Orange County Commissioners for partnering with us to create more reentry housing and fund more home preservation.

Our hosts, the team at Lee's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church -- long-time leaders in the Northern Orange community and beyond, and Justice United's newest member organization!

Leaders discussed and approved a Fall action plan to hold research action meetings with top local decision-makers. The research actions will focus on preparing for the Nov. 19 assembly as well as issues of Habitat income accessibility, a Community Health Worker mental health program in rural Orange with Black leadership, an inclement weather shelter in Hillsborough, and improved patient navigation at UNC Hospital. You can read the full Research Action Team report + Fall proposal below and here. 

Orange County Justice United Research Action Updates, Sept. 19, 2024

AFFORDABLE HOUSING *Focus on Fall Research Actions for 2025 Campaigns

REENTRY HOUSING

  • Updates: Alliance Health interested in funding more reentry housing in Orange, including applying for funds from $99 million NC allocated for reentry support. 
  • Fall Research Actions: Funding (Alliance + Orange County), potential properties, and potential managing organizations.
    • ID Access: Meet with Orange Correctional Center staff + statewide ID advocacy group.

HOME PRESERVATION

  • Updates: County could manage designated fund for Home Preservation if private donors contributed. County affordable housing funds will be tight until 2027.
  • Fall Research Actions Potential donors + County Commissioners.

INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER IN HILLSBOROUGH

  • Updates: Univ. Baptist in Chapel Hill will provide CH shelter, w/ County staff + insurance.
  • Fall Research Actions: Two Hillsborough churches meeting w/ County to assess feasibility.

HABITAT INCOME ACCESSIBILITY + RACIAL EQUITY IN HILLSBOROUGH BUILD

  • For future 75-home development in Hillsborough, home costs will be known in ~ 2 years. Habitat planning “Advancing Black Homeownership” program for debt/credit support.
  • Fall Research Actions: Clergy team to meet with Habitat to ensure income accessibility and racial equity. 


HEALTHCARE ACCESS

UPDATES: ACTIONABLE THIS FALL

  • Social Services commitment to outreach and enrollment for Medicaid Expansion.
  • UNC Financial Assistance Director’s commitment to info + enrollment sessions.

RESEARCH ACTION FOCUS THIS FALL FOR 2025 CAMPAIGN

  • Develop proposal(s) for UNC Hospital system to improve patient navigation.
  • Community Health Worker mental health program in rural Orange, with Black leadership.
  • Crisis Diversion facility: Full annual operating funds + language accessibility.