Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Raymond J. Hodges, Director of Department of Housing
Subject: Authorize the use of Measure K and ARPA Funds for Legal Aid Society of
San Mateo County’s Eviction Defense and Tenant Education Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution:
A) Approving the Equity Innovation Fund commitments for up to $74,000 in Measure K Funds and $120,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds or other funds as determined by the County Executive for the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County’s Eviction Defense and Tenant Education Program; and
B) Authorizing the Director of Department of Housing, or designee, in consultation with the County Attorney, to negotiate and execute contracts and other documents necessary to provide said funding to the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County’s Eviction Defense and Tenant Education Equity Innovation Service Program.
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BACKGROUND:
On September 28, 2021 this Board, through Resolution No. 078427, authorized $450,883 in Measure K funds for six Equity Innovation Service Programs for FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23. As of December 1, 2023 $74,000 remains unexpended due to the availability of alternative funding for these projects.
On May 17, 2022 this Board authorized $2,000,000 in ARPA funds to provide information and legal assistance for renters who are struggling with the expiration of statewide tenant protections put in place during the pandemic, through Resolution No. 078876. As of December 1, 2023 $120,000 remains unexpended.
On July 1, 2023 Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County requested $194,000 of additional funding for its Eviction Defense and Tenant Education Program in response to the influx of cases after the eviction moratorium ended in California on June 30, 2022.
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Housing (DOH) has $74,000 in Measure K Funding allocated for Equity Innovation Fund (EIF) projects, which has not been allocated, and an unexpended $120,000 of ARPA funding, both of which will be allocated to Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County’s (LASSMC) Eviction Defense and Tenant Education Program. LASSMC has encountered an increased need for these services and requires additional funding to meet this demand.
This policy/initiative lead by the LASSMC, will positively impact low-income renters with a focus on Black, Indigenous, and people of color, limited English proficient, and immigrant households who are at-risk of homelessness through facing eviction. This policy will negatively impact individuals and their families who are unaware of and/or unable to comprehend what services are being offered. LASSMC Staff have engaged these impacted groups through their direct service with clients by providing pre-litigation advocacy along with collaborating with organizations such as Youth United for Community Action, Faith in Action, and the Stanford Community Law Clinic. County of San Mateo Department of Housing Staff are working on mitigating negative impacts that are hindering equitable outcomes for identified groups by implementing programs such as the Equity Innovation Fund, which funds organizations such as LASSMC, to close equitable gaps and implement innovative ways to build equity.
The resolution has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this amended agreement will begin on July 1, 2023 and will end on June 30, 2024. The Measure K agreement will be in an amount not to exceed $74,000 in unexpended Measure K funds from FY 2022-2023 and approved by this Board of Supervisors for Equity Innovation Service Programs. The ARPA agreement will be in an amount not-to-exceed of $120,000 in unexpended ARPA funds for informational and legal support for renters approved by this Board of Supervisors. These agreements are a part of the DOH’s FY 2023-2024 Adopted budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement.