To: Harris County Commissioners Court
Through: David Berry, Executive Director, Budget Management Department
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Prepared By: Leah Barton, Senior Director, Budget Management Department
Subject: COVID: Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention
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Project ID (If applicable]:
Purpose and Request:
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Request by Budget Management and Community Services for approval of contracts with the Alliance for Multicultural Services (the Alliance) for rental assistance and eviction prevention. The Alliance will be providing expedited processing of rental assistance applications for tenants in active eviction proceedings, support for landlords in understanding and registering for the rental assistance program, and extensive case management to support tenants in their applications and connect them to additional support services.
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Background and Discussion:
Harris County has been successfully supporting tenants and landlords through two rental assistance programs: the Houston-Harris County Rental Assistance Program, implemented by Budget Management in collaboration with the City of Houston, and the Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program, run by Community Services. As the COVID-19 pandemic persists and families continue to struggle, we have recognized an additional need to support renters in active eviction proceedings. This need is exacerbated by the upcoming expiration of the CDC Eviction Moratorium. These eviction intervention funds will provide rental assistance and case management services to tenants at highest risk of eviction. Case management services will include outreach to tenants and landlords with upcoming eviction proceedings, on-premise and on-camera assistance adjacent to Justice of the Peace Courts, and referrals to additional support services.
The intent to contract with the Alliance was previously approved. However, the proposed funding mix has changed due to reduced availability of TERAP funds; therefore, these contracts are being submitted for full approval.
Fiscal Impact: Funds will be provided from the US Treasury ERAP 2 funds, TDHCA TERAP funds, and the Response & Recovery fund.
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Fiscal Summary |
|
Expenditures |
FY 20-21 |
FY 21-22 Projected |
Future Years Projected [3 additional years] |
|
Service Impacted: Rental assistance and eviction intervention services |
|
|
|
|
Rental Assistance and Administration |
|
$2,556,000 |
|
|
Case Management |
|
$560,000 |
|
|
Total Expenditures |
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$3,116,000 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program |
|
$600,000 |
|
|
Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program |
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$2,477,000 |
|
|
Response & Recovery Fund |
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$39,000 |
|
|
Total Sources |
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$3,116,000 |
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Alternatives:
Ongoing high levels of eviction place families at increased risk of homelessness, COVID-19, and other adverse impacts.
Alignment with Strategic Objective:
Aligned with Strategic Objectives of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and our County-wide Housing goals.
Attachments: Contracts to follow.