Agenda - 11-05-20; 6-c - Emergency Housing Assistance Program Update and Request for Supplemental Funding

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2 Diiv Sternman, Community Empowerment Fund The EHA has been one of the most effective and impactful programs CEF has ever partnered with. The sheer number of evictions and housing crises that our members were able to avert during this pandemic because of the EHA is testament to the quality of the program and how much our community needs it.The EHA has been able to work seamlessly with local program partners to be responsive to community members' urgent needs because of the local flexible funding that went into it. That is so important for the peace of mind of the members we serve at CEF! The toxic stress of facing homelessness has huge negative impacts on people (physical and mental health, economic, vocational, relational, etc.) and when we're able to rapidly assure someone that they are safe and will not lose their home, that goes a really long way towards freeing them from the harmful impacts and trauma of that crisis. We can only do that because the EHA gives us the tools to do so.In addition to reducing housing instability, this is another way the EHA is reducing the impacts of trauma and toxic stress in our community! Lori Woolworth, Community Home Trust Community Home Trust has had the privilege of partnering with OCHCD to administer the EHA Program. We had the opportunity to help dozens of community members apply for assistance. We heard countless stories about how the EHA Program allowed people to stay in their homes, keep their utilities on, and provided stability in a time when virtual learning and a lack on employment was causing a significant amount of additional stress on families. One specific applicant was a manager at a restaurant who saw her hours cut significantly due to COVID. I helped her gather her documents and submit her application for rent assistance. When her landlord received the check, they refused to accept it because of her past due status. Because of our partnership with OCHCD, I was able to go to the bank and secure a certified check to drop off at the property manager’s office to help the applicant avoid eviction. A few of our homeowners also found themselves facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. We were able to help them apply for assistance with their mortgage and HOA dues to avoid foreclosure. One homeowner recently had a baby, however, due to the virus when the time came for her to return back to work, she no longer had a job to return to. She struggled to stay current on her mortgage and got several months behind on her HOA dues. She was able to apply to the EHA Program and received the assistance she needed to prevent future foreclosure. I has been an honor to play a small part in helping residents of Orange County remain in their homes. We have received many messages of gratitude and appreciation for the assistance that was provided. One applicant said, “This is a struggle for me and my daughter to keep above water and I wouldn't be able to put a roof over their heads if it weren't for you. You have no idea how many people you are a blessing to and we appreciate you so much! Thank you!” The County Housing Department staff has been great to work and we appreciate the continued partnership. Delores Bailey, EmPOWERment Inc. EmPOWERment Inc.’s housing counselors have helped many families access The Orange County Emergency Assistance Funding. We believe it has literally saved the homes of hundreds of families in Orange County. I will share three examples: 1) As a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency, EmPOWERment’s two nationally certified counselor are trained to counsel renters and homeowners all over the State. During this pandemic we received 10