This forum is the direct result of our Housing Team leaders' proposal to Orange County and Alliance Health! It's the kick-off to a focused work group that will identify potential properties and funds for reentry/low-barrier housing in Orange County. The forum is organized by Orange County and Alliance Health.

More info: Residents, housing providers, advocates, government officials, and the faith community are invited to a community forum to address critical low-barrier housing needs in Orange County. Co-sponsored by Orange County and Alliance Health, the event will offer a space for collaboration and dialogue to explore increasing housing solutions for individuals facing barriers to access. See the press release from Orange County here.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, January 25th

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Donna Baker BOCC Meeting Room, Whitted Human Services Center, 300 W. Tryon Street, Hillsborough

Refreshments: Coffee, drinks, and snacks will be provided.

The forum will feature panel discussions with experts and stakeholders, as well as small group sessions to gather community input. The goal is to find practical solutions, set priorities, and suggest actions to address the county's housing problems.

Understanding Low-Barrier Housing
Low-barrier housing provides immediate and easy access with a focus on harm reduction and support. It is designed to serve individuals with significant obstacles, including behavioral health concerns, reentry from incarceration or institutional settings, and homelessness.

A Community-Led Initiative
This forum follows the Countywide Assembly hosted by Orange County Justice United on November 18, 2024, where community members and leaders identified key priorities for 2025, including home preservation and reentry housing.

Orange County is committed to furthering its Strategic Plan Priorities, which include:

• Promoting equitable access to care and safety-net programs.
• Increasing housing stability through emergency shelter beds and permanent supportive housing.
• Providing reentry support for justice-involved individuals.

Looking Ahead
In early 2025, a focused work group convened by the County Manager will begin to develop recommendations for evidence-based, low-barrier housing programs and collaborations. This group will meet monthly, provide quarterly updates, and deliver a final report in January 2026.

The forum is an opportunity for the community to contribute to this effort, ensuring voices with lived experience are heard and prioritized.

About the Work Group
The work group will include leaders in housing, public health, equity, and justice, including:

• Blake Rosser, Orange County Housing Director
• Danielle Butler, Orange County Homeless Programs Manager
• Ben Gear, Orange County Local Reentry Council Coordinator
• Cy Stober, Orange County Planning and Inspections Director
• Paul Slack, Orange County Office of Equity and Inclusion Chief
• Caitlin Fenhagen, Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Department Director
• Henry (“Tommy”) Green, Orange County Community Health Worker, FIT Program
• Ann Oshel, Alliance Health Senior V.P. for Community Health and Well-Being
• Sarah Vinas, Chapel Hill Affordable Housing and Community Connections Director
• Ann-Marie Vanaman, Carrboro Housing and Community Services Director
• Matt Effird, Hillsborough Assistant Town Manager and Community Services Director

This collaboration underscores Orange County’s commitment to addressing systemic housing challenges and creating sustainable solutions for all residents.