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Salsbury -Rowan Community Action Agency, Inc. certifications and training was the leading cause of hiring difficulties. According to the United States Census Bureau, those age 25 years and up in Rowan County reported to have obtained a Bachelor Degree was 17.6% of the county's population, and in Cabarrus County, 27.2% of the county's population was reported to have obtained a Bachelor Degree. Although Cabarrus County's reported percentage for education is slightly lower than North Carolina's state reported percentage of 29%, Rowan County is significantly lower which directly contributes to the counties higher rale of unemployment This trend has remained consistent in the past several years for urban and coral counties such as Rowan. These facts require service providers to discuss alternative education/vocation options so that constituents in need are able to attain the skills that employers require. This information has compelled The Salisbury -Rowan Community Action Agency, Inc. (SRCAA) to take a strategic approach in employment guidance for program participants to ensure that education and skills are compatible with their desired employment interest. This is in addition to providing resources to participants in order to complete education and occupational skills training programs for the purpose of meeting employer qualifications to secure sustainable employment, Housing/Homelessness Waitlists for city and county housing authorities in both Rowan and Cabarrus County contribute to program participants making choices to live in substandard housing or in crowded conditions with family members. In addition, those living in housing assisted with Section 8, most notably in Cabarrus County remain in substandard conditions, forcing some residents to move into housing that they are unable to afford. According to reports by the Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP), Rowan County Housing Authority scored an average SEMAP score of 78 from 2001— 2009, lower than the average SEMAP Score of 80.83 for Housing Authorities In North Carolina. Concord Housing Authority scored an average SEMAP score of 103 from 2001— 2009, much higher than the average SEMAP Score of 80.83 for Housing Authorities in North Carolina. Higher SEMAP scores indicate more effective financial management, a smoother waiting list process and higher quality physical conditions at assisted properties. Contrary to the SEMAP score, Cabarrus County continues to experience long wait lists. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), The Housing Authority of the City of Concord owns and manages 1 project which contains 174 affordable rental units and administers 541 Section 8 vouchers deeming it as a'small public housing authority by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). When comparing the housing distribution assistance of the City of Concord between Public Housing Units and Section 8 vouchers to housing authorities in North Carolina, Concord public housing's unit assistance ranks at 24% and Section 8 vouchers rank 76%. Rowan County has recently built additional subsidized housing within walking distance of the Salisbury -Rowan Community Action Agency, Inc: s (SRCAA) main office. These efforts have helped to eliminate the barriers that the lack of affordable and standardized housing has created for the community. SRCAA also utilizes Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds to relocate participants into standardized housing who are residents of Rowan and Cabarrus County in an effort to improve their housing conditions. Fiscal Year 2018-19 Canmunity Services Block Grant Application Page 19 of 37 Attachment number 2 \n F-6 Page 107