Long‑time homeowners and Habitat leaders urge county to address revaluation impacts; commissioners point to assistance programs

Several residents and affordable‑housing advocates told the Orange County Board of Commissioners on May 6 that the county’s recent property revaluation has raised appraisals in ways they say risk displacing long‑time homeowners.

Speakers described decades of ownership, low‑income program histories and sharply higher appraisals. Joanne Mitchell, president of Homeowners United of Habitat for Humanity in Orange County, told the board Habitat homeowners face “unrealistic” increases because their homes were purchased through program terms and not on the open market; she asked the board to consider reevaluation approaches that account for Habitat eligibility. Eileen Williamson and Conetta Swan, other long‑time homeowners, said home repairs and drainage issues make current appraisals unfair and asked about appeals and…