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6 <br /> Staff is requesting the following: <br /> 1. An allocation of Social Justice Reserve funds to finance the Eviction Diversion Program — <br /> Funds allocated would pay for 50% of a one-year salary and benefits for a temporary bi- <br /> lingual attorney, trained in eviction diversion and pro bono legal services. (The other half <br /> of the salary and benefits would be paid by the CARES funds.) The attorney would not <br /> only assist with development the program, training of pro bono attorneys and case <br /> management, but also would perform bi-lingual legal services for the Eviction Diversion <br /> Program and mediation of Housing Helpline calls prior to residents reaching court <br /> proceedings. The hiring of a temporary bi-lingual attorney trained in eviction diversion <br /> would overcome the obstacle of not only Legal Aid's income limit threshold but also its <br /> inability to serve undocumented persons. <br /> 2. An allocation of the Social Justice Reserve funds to the Risk Mitigation and Housing <br /> Displacement Fund to pay rent and mortgage arrears to assist nonimmigrants and <br /> undocumented immigrants and continue to prevent eviction and foreclosure. <br /> 3. An allocation of Social Justice Funds to Legal Aid of North Carolina for surge assistance <br /> with eviction cases and to assist with mediation in court proceedings. <br /> 4. Authorization to seek funding from the Towns, and donations from community residents <br /> and businesses to fund this Program — While the Towns have their own emergency <br /> housing assistance funds that are streamlined with the County's emergency housing <br /> assistance fund to follow the same referral and application process, additional funds will <br /> be requested specifically to provide support to the Eviction Diversion Program. Donations <br /> from the private sector as well as from community residents could also help bolster <br /> existing resources and services provided through this program. <br /> County staff is currently solidifying the details of this program. However, on June 1, 2020 when <br /> the Courts open, staff would like to have the resources in place to get started assisting people. <br /> Currently, there are about 90 evictions pending. OCHCD has already reached out to the tenants <br /> and landlords to try and avoid those evictions. Staff is receiving more calls each day, and with <br /> this program, the County can begin to allay some County residents' fears of eviction. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: Budget Amendment #9-A provides for the appropriation of $187,950 in <br /> available Social Justice Reserve funds in the following manner: <br /> • Forty-Two Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty dollars ($42,950) for Temporary Employment for <br /> a full time staff attorney to provide legal and case management services; <br /> • One Hundred Thirty Thousand dollars ($130,000) for the Risk Mitigation and Housing <br /> Displacement Fund, and <br /> • Fifteen Thousand dollars ($15,000) for Legal Aid of North Carolina to increase assistance <br /> during surge of cases. <br /> With this appropriation, there would be $12,050 funds remaining in the Social Justice Reserve <br /> for FY 2019-20. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable <br /> to this item: <br /> • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND <br /> INEQUITY <br /> The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; <br /> religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or <br />