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Agenda - 06-02-20; 6-a - Eviction Diversion Program and Approval of Budget Amendment #9-A
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Agenda - 06-02-20; 6-a - Eviction Diversion Program and Approval of Budget Amendment #9-A
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6/2/2020
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6-a
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Agenda 06-02-20 Virtual Business Meeting
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3 <br /> The second aspect is currently being addressed by HCD's Risk Mitigation and Housing <br /> Displacement (RM-HD) fund in helping to pay for arrears so low-income renters stave off <br /> eviction and remain in their housing. In order to meet the first need, legal counsel needs to be <br /> made available to tenants facing eviction. In most cases, low-income renters either represent <br /> themselves in court, or don't show up for their hearing, most often resulting in an eviction <br /> moving forward. Providing legal support and counsel will enhance greatly the existing work of <br /> HCD and RM-HD fund in paying arrears and will ensure that tenants remain in housing by <br /> having legal representation. The Orange County Eviction Diversion Program would bring <br /> together an Orange County temporary employed bi-lingual attorney, Legal Aid of North Carolina <br /> ("Legal Aid"), and pro bono attorneys to represent tenants in court and to act as in court <br /> mediators to negotiate agreements between tenants and landlords to avoid eviction. County <br /> staff are working with the 18t" Judicial District Bar and the NC Pro Bono Resource Center to <br /> assist with identifying local pro-bono attorneys, including bi-lingual attorneys, to meet additional <br /> community needs. Referrals to the program would come through the existing HCD and Orange <br /> County Partnership to End Homelessness' Housing Helpline (a.k.a "Coordinated Entry"). Every <br /> person who calls into the Housing Helpline goes through a needs assessment that is best <br /> practice and evidence based. In addition, outreach offering legal assistance will be made to <br /> every individual tenant with a summary ejectment hearing date. <br /> As noted, HCD staff will use funds the Board has already allocated for rental arrears for this <br /> project through the RM-HD Fund (the sub-fund called "Emergency Housing Assistance", <br /> formerly "Housing Stabilization Fund"). The Board approved a one-time transfer of funds <br /> ($100,000) from the Local Rent Supplement Program into the RM-HD Fund on April 7, 2020. <br /> Since that time, approximately forty thousand ($40,000) in emergency housing assistance has <br /> been utilized by Orange County residents experiencing a housing crisis through the Housing <br /> Helpline (a.k.a. "Coordinated Entry"). <br /> In FY19-20, over one hundred and fifty seven thousand dollars ($157,000) in assistance has <br /> been funded. The table below illustrates the increase in funding since January 2020. There are <br /> approximately $35,400* in Emergency Housing Assistance funds remaining, but with new <br /> requests coming in every day, this estimate changes daily — and sometimes dramatically. At <br /> this time, a large majority of requests are coming from low-income residents who have been out <br /> of work due to COVID-19 and business closures. The Urban Institute estimates that more than <br /> 5,000 Orange County residents lost employment due to COVID-19, and most of those jobs are <br /> in the food service, retail, and accommodation industries6, which make up a significant portion <br /> of the County's economic base.' <br /> Current Emergency Housing Assistance fund criteria is as follows. Full policies can be found <br /> here: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2359/Risk-Mitigation-and-Housing-Displacement <br /> Assistance is available to households in Orange County that (1) earn no more than 60% of the <br /> area median income (AMI)*, (2) can demonstrate urgent need for housing assistance, and (3) <br /> do not have adequate savings to cover their housing costs. <br /> To be referred for assistance, households must either: <br /> 6 Urban Institute (2020, April 24). Where Low-Income Jobs Are Being Lost to COVID-19. <br /> https://www.urban.org/features/where-low-income-mobs-are-being-lost-covid-19 <br /> Orange County Consolidated Plan. Market Analysis (MA-45): Non-Housing Community Development Assets. <br /> http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10806/Orange-County-NC-Consolidated-Plan-Final-Draft?bid ld= <br />
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