Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Cole, Director, Department of Housing
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County for Eviction Defense Project
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of the Department of Housing or the Director’s designee to execute an agreement with Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County for Eviction Defense Project for the term of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, in an amount not to exceed $196,865.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is a 20-year half-cent sales tax extension passed by local voters in November 2016 to support essential County services and to maintain or replace critical facilities. The original tax was passed in 2012 (assigned as Measure A on that ballot). Measure K extends the sales tax for 20 years, until March 31, 2043. The Board and County staff have conducted study sessions and community outreach efforts to inform priorities of Measure K spending.
On May 16, 2017, Supervisors Don Horsley and Dave Pine recommended, and the Board adopted, the Measure K Allocation Plan and Affordable Housing Plan for FY 2017-18 and 2018-19. The Board approved the allocation of Measure K totaling approximately $45.6 million to the Department of Housing (“DOH”) over FY 2017-18 and 2018-19. Supervisors Horsley and Pine’s recommendation included continuing and/or expanding initiatives that were part of the FY 2015-17 funding cycle, as well as funding a number of new initiatives and projects for the FY 2017-19 cycle. Eviction Defense Project (the “Program”) is one of the new initiatives included in the Measure K Allocation Plan.
DISCUSSION:
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County (“Legal Aid”), a nonprofit whose mission is “to fight social injustice through civil legal advocacy for people living in poverty,” has more than 50 years of experience in providing legal services for low-income families, seniors, adults, children with disabilities, and domestic violence survivors. As part of its legal aid services portfolio, Legal Aid currently operates a venture similar to the Program known as the Homesavers Project, that provides representation, legal counseling, and advice for low-income San Mateo County residents dealing with evictions, disputes over the condition of premises, and illegal acts by landlords.
The Program is designed to ensure that low-income individuals and families have access to lawyers who will provide comprehensive legal representation in high-priority civil cases, with the overall goal of preventing displacement. The Program will also establish a more efficient referral and communications network with Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto to help handle high-priority civil cases for individuals and families facing evictions. The Program will be viewed as a pilot project that will add to Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County’s portfolio of legal aid services and advocacy within the County aimed at serving low-income individuals and families facing evictions and displacement.
DOH recommends a one-year agreement with Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County to fund the Program in the amount of $196,865 for FY 2018-19.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved as to form by County Counsel.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate), per agreement.
The resolution also contains a provision to allow the County Manager or designee to modify the performance measures to implement changes in the reporting requirements as may be appropriate to help the County more effectively communicate information about Measure K programs.
This agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of Livable and Prosperous communities by helping ensure low-income residents are ensured access to full legal representation and comprehensive legal services to help prevent displacement within the County.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 18-19 Projected |
|
Number of Households served with full legal representation in both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the San Mateo County |
50 |
FISCAL IMPACT:
Net County cost amounts to $196,865 of Measure K funds for the FY 2018-19 funding cycle.