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24 <br /> Blake Rosser said they do attempt to contact employers, but employers are not always <br /> returning the contact. He said that for illness, it often requires more than a doctor's note. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton asked how mental illness can be accounted for. <br /> Blake Rosser said that they evaluate those cases individually. He said if there was <br /> confirmation that they missed work due to that, it would work. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said in that case a doctor's note might suffice. <br /> Blake Rosser said yes and noted that it would vary case-to-case. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said that some individuals that struggle with mental illness do <br /> not seek medical assistance. She asked if they still needed a doctor's note. <br /> Blake Rosser said yes because they have not figured out a way to allow someone's word <br /> without exposing the program to vulnerability. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if they could show bank statements that show income <br /> from an employer and then none if that would work. <br /> Blake Rosser said if they can show loss of income, that is what is needed. <br /> Slide#4 <br /> Average amount, timing of assistance show <br /> interesting trends <br /> COW W <br /> Avg.Assistance Amount $4,033 <br /> Avg. Monthly Expense $48,397* <br /> Avg.Time to Process 26 days <br /> Households assisted with Life- 21 <br /> Changing Event(LCE) <br /> Households assisted with Court 15 <br /> Summons <br /> Number of LCE Households 12 <br /> assisted prior to eviction <br /> "lncludes some larger holdover applications from June n O R A N G E CO U N TY <br /> O HOUSING DEPARTMENT <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked for clarification on how it is determined that the landlord <br /> will not accept partial rent. <br /> Blake Rosser said that the county made a policy decision to cap it in that way because of <br /> the past experience with landlords. He said that they did it in an effort to preserve funds. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she hoped that that policy decision would be <br /> reconsidered to prevent evictions, since not all landlords are the same. <br /> Blake Rosser said that is certainly good to consider. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what assistance was provided to the 12 people <br /> assisted prior to eviction. <br /> Blake Rosser said that an EHA specialist is working with them to fill out a budget and help <br /> track costs and expenses and look into areas that can be approved. <br /> Chair Bedford asked if there is a change in trends in the winter when utility bills increase. <br /> She asked if evictions increase at that time. <br /> Blake Rosser said he has not been over the program long enough to notice a trend. He <br /> said that there have been a lot of changes in funding in the last four years, so it is harder to spot <br /> a trend. <br />