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Blake Rosser said that during the pandemic, the county spent $15 million on Emergency <br /> Housing Assistance due to ARPA funding. He said that as those funds decreased, they went to <br /> $2 million, and in the current fiscal year the county appropriated $400,000 for the program. He <br /> said that those funds combined with the remaining ARPA funds allowed for about $500,000 for <br /> the current year. He said they changed the parameters of the program to allow assistance to <br /> folks with life changing circumstances, including sickness, loss of job, and a death in the family. <br /> He said they also changed the requirement for AMI to 30% or below. He said they have seen <br /> some benefits with those changes. <br /> Slide#8 <br /> aboutLegal Services <br /> Eviction Diversion Program. Legal advice <br /> landlordhousing issues. Representation in court if a has <br /> violationsalready filed an eviction case in small claims court <br /> Civil Rights Program. Investigation into any civil rights <br /> -.- local Fair Housing, <br /> AccommodationPublic ordinances <br /> Lyan Evans egal Services Manager n ORANGE COUNTY <br /> ryevans@orangecountync.gov 0 HOUSING DEPARTMENT <br /> Blake Rosser said the Civil Rights Program used to be the fair housing program in the <br /> Office of Equity and Inclusion. He said it was moved into the Housing Department so that it was <br /> under the supervision of an attorney. He said that the program was underperforming for several <br /> years, and that the county voluntarily chose to withdraw from the program with HUD temporarily. <br /> He said they have a plan to streamline the program's practices and policies to show HUD that <br /> they are capable of reassuming administration of the program by the end of the year. He said <br /> they have a goal to reapply for certification by the end of the year. He said they are still taking <br /> applications, and they are explaining the circumstances that the department is in, and giving <br /> them the option of applying directly to HUD. <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton asked for more information on the partnership with HUD. <br /> Blake Rosser said it brings reimbursement for handling the cases, such as paying for the <br /> staff investigating the cases and training. He said HUD also offered expertise to the <br /> department. Blake Rosser said he is still speaking with HUD to determine what supports will be <br /> available. He said he is optimistic that HUD will still be a resource. He said it was beneficial to <br /> the program to be an official HUD authority. <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton asked about the experience for residents with the changes. <br /> Blake Rosser said theoretically there should be no impact because they can still provide <br /> intake and investigations as before. He said practically speaking, people can get more efficient <br /> review of their cases with HUD rather than with the county. <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton asked what the process is for putting an application in with HUD. <br /> Blake Rosser said that the HUD office for our region is based in Atlanta, but they have <br /> local offices. He said that forms can be completed online or by phone. He said that his <br /> experience with this HUD office is that they are responsive to applicants. <br />