Title
Vote to approve the application for Aging Services for the FY28 North Carolina Department of Transportation 5310 Grant - Capital Purchase of Service
Abstract
Introduction & Background: The 5310 Capital Purchase of Service Grant provides funding for transportation to Aging Services centers in Pittsboro and Siler City, medical transportation and group trips.
This funding will provide transportation through a contract between Chatham County and Chatham Transit Network, the latter being the sole public transportation provider within Chatham County. It will serve the elderly and disabled population of Chatham who would otherwise be limited in accessing basic needs and societal supports. Funding will be utilized for transportation to sites such as senior centers, congregate meal locations, local pharmacies and grocery stores. Additionally, a portion of the funding budget will be set aside for medical transportation, which includes doctor's appointments. Roughly three in 10 Chatham County residents are 65 years of age and older, and by 2039, it is estimated that over 40% of Chatham residents will be 60 years of age and older.
Given Chatham County's extensive rural nature at over 700 square miles and minimal availability of public transportation options, this funding will combat isolation and loneliness among Chatham's most vulnerable citizens - especially those on a fixed income that do not live close to friends or family members and cannot afford to pay for private transportation (such as Uber).
Discussion & Analysis: Aging Services is seeking approval to apply for the North Carolina Department of Transportation's 5310 Capital Purchase of Service Grant, which requires a 10% local match and, with the grant amount over $100,000, requires Board of Commissioners approval to apply. Aging Services will request a total of $350,000 for the grant, to begin in FY28. While we do not know what our official total allocation will be for FY27, the June deadline for the pr...
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