CED Committee
October 10, 2023
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Jestin D. Johnson FROM: Emily Weinstein
City Administrator Interim Director,
Department of Housing &
Community Development
SUBJECT: Centro Legal De La Raza Grant
Agreement
DATE: September 11, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That City Council Adopt a Resolution Awarding a Grant of $1,000,000 for Tenant Legal Services and Emergency Financial Assistance to Centro Legal De La Raza, Inc.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-25 Biennial Budget on June 26, 2023 per Oakland City Council Resolution No. 89804 C. M.S Per Exhibit 1, Page six of twenty, Item #4 of Resolution 89804 C.M.S., that action included allocating $1,000,000 to Centro Legal De La Raza for tenant legal services and eviction prevention. Eviction protection includes the range of legal services from negotiation with property owner through tenant representation at eviction proceedings.
The
proposed legislation would authorize the City Administrator to execute a grant agreement between Centro Legal De La Raza, Inc and City of Oakland for FY 2023-24 for $1,000,000.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
City Council approved the FY 2023-25 Biennial Budget on June 26, 2023, per Oakland City Council Resolution 89804 C.M.S. Under the FY 2023-25 Biennial Budget, City Council Resolution 89804 C.M.S. authorized a $1,000,000 allocation for tenant legal services and eviction protection to be carried out by Centro Legal De La Raza. Said legislation does not provide a break-down of the $1,000,000 allocation for Centro Legal between legal services and flexible financial assistance for eviction protections. Staff proposes alternatives provided in the following section of this report.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
Since the Eviction Moratorium ended on July 15, 2023, there has been an increase in the increase in eviction filings. In the second quarter of 2023, according to Alameda County data, as of August 9, 2023, 164 eviction notice were filed for tenants in Oakland. This number is City Administrator Approval Date: Sep 27, 2023
CED Committee
October 10, 2023
expected to rise significantly, making it imperative that tenants receive legal support and eviction defense.
Centro Legal de la Raza is a community organization providing much needed tenant eviction protection services to Oakland residents. Their services will help prevent displacement and homelessness using an array of tools including community outreach and education, legal representation, financial assistance to help the most vulnerable community members attain housing security. This work advances the Citywide priority of housing, economic, and cultural security. Centro Legal de la Raza and its partners Eviction Defense Center, East Bay Community Law Center, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach and The Unity Council will provide services for low- and moderate-income Oakland residents so they can remain housed and do not experience homelessness.
The previous contract with Centro Legal for FY 2022-23, the funding was split between $750,000 for tenant legal services and $250,000 for emergency financial assistance. There is a greater need than resources for both tenant legal services and flexible emergency financial assistance (which can be used to catch up on rent) to support housing stability and prevent eviction.
For funding in FY23-24, staff has identified the following options for the $1,000,000 to Centro Legal De La Raza be allocated as follows:
1) Funding Allocation Policy Alternatives for Council Consideration: Authorize the $1M budget under the FY 23-24 grant agreement with Centro Legal De La Raza to be flexible to be used as needed for tenant legal services and/or flexible financial assistance; or 2) Authorize the FY 23-24 $1M allocation to Centro Legal De La Raza to be budgeted in the same manner as the FY22-23 grant agreement with: $750,000 for tenant legal services and $250,000 for emergency financial assistance; or 3) Authorize the use of the $1M allocated to Centro Legal De La Raza using a different formula per Council direction.
In consultation with Centro Legal, staff recommends City Council authorize option #1 which provides the maximum amount of flexibility in ord ds by providing tenant legal services or emergency flexible financial assistance.
FISCAL IMPACT
Per the Fiscal Years 2023-25 Biennial Budget, $1,000,000 has been allocated for Centro De La Raza (Fund 1870- Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Organization Number 89949, Account number 54912, Project Code 10007111-Tenant Legal Services) to support tenant legal services and eviction prevention.
PUBLIC O UTREACH / INTEREST
The City Council budget approval process included many opportunities for public engagement.
COORDINATION
Bureau.
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October 10, 2023
PAST PERFORMANCE, EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
Centro Legal was a critical partner during the eviction moratorium, providing critical information about tenant rights as well as administering Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) payments. Below in Tables 1 and 2 describes the goals and performance of the contract for legal services and housing stabilization.
Table 1. ERAP Legal Services (2021-2022) Contract Goals & Performance Objective Goal Actual
Assess 275 tenants for eligibility
to receive housing stabilization
services and legal services.
Centro Legal and partner
organizations shall work with
each tenant receiving legal
services to develop a list of
action steps that either or both
the Contractor and tenant will
take to reduce tenants
275 clients 548 (199% of goal)
Serve 125 tenants by providing
legal consultation for housing
related problems such as
resources and information about
their legal options and rights
125 clients 350 (280% of goal)
Serve 150 tenants by providing
legal representation for housing
related issues
150 71 (47% of goal)*
Serve 200 tenants through
outreach, education and housing
counseling
200 127 (64% of goal)*
*Due to the eviction moratorium fewer tenants needed direct legal services during this time period.
Table 2. ERAP Housing Stabilization (2021-2022) Contract Goals & Performance
Objective Goal Actual
Assess eligibility of 200 low- to
moderate- Oakland tenants so
they can remain housed and not
experience homelessness.
200 799 (400% of goal)
Provide emergency rental
assistance to approximately 150
eligible households
150 307 (205% of goal)
Centro Legal has a contract to provide tenant legal services and emergency housing assistance for FY22-23. Contract reporting for this period is in process, but they are on track to meet or exceed their goals.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: Keeping people housed is foundational to economic stability.
Environmental: none
Race & Equity: People of color are disproportionately rent-burdened and at risk of becoming CED Committee
October 10, 2023
homeless.
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Approve The Resolution to Enter Into A Grant Agreement With Centro Legal De La Raza In The Amount of One-Million dollars ($1,000,000) for Tenant Legal Services and Eviction Prevention.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Kelly Hoffman, Project Manager, at 510-220- 2134.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Weinstein
Interim Director, Department of Housing &
Community Development
Reviewed by:
Greg Garrett, Manager
Community Development & Engagement
Prepared by:
Kelly Hoffman, Project Manager
Community Development & Engagement