Item Description:
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Authorize $1.5 million fund transfer for rental assistance from 2025 Local Affordable Housing Aid to HSPH; supp appr to 2025 HSPH dept budget
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the 2025 interfund transfer from Local Affordable Housing Aid to Land Information and Tax Services department be reduced by $1,500,000; and that an interfund transfer from Local Affordable Housing Aid in the amount of $1,500,000 to the Human Services and Public Health department be authorized for eligible expenditures on a cost reimbursement basis for eviction prevention and emergency rental assistance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2025 revenue and expenditure budget for Land Information and Tax Services department be reduced by $1,500,000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2025 revenue and expenditure budget for the Housing Stability division of Human Services and Public Health department increase by $1,500,000 using Local Affordable Housing Aid for eviction prevention and emergency rental assistance.
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Background:
This action requests the interfund transfer of $1,500,000 in Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) revenues to the Human Services and Public Health (HSPH) department to support eviction prevention and emergency rental assistance. These funds are available through the reallocation of budgeted LAHA funding from the Land Information and Tax Services (LITS) department. The LITS housing rehabilitation programming that would have utilized the 2025 LAHA funding has been delayed, and funding has been proposed in the same amount for the 2026 budget.
The LAHA funding is needed to extend the County’s current provision of emergency rent assistance (ERA) for eligible low-income households facing eviction through the remainder of 2025. ERA is targeted for families with minor children, older adult households, and households with a disability
Impact/Outcomes: The original LAHA funding authorization for eviction prevention and rental assistance in 2025 ($5.0 million) has enabled more than 2,300 households to avoid an eviction through timely access to ERA. This additional funding will enable more than 400 households (projected) to avoid an eviction through timely access to Emergency Rental Assistance.
Housing Disparity Domain: Households of color are disproportionately impacted by eviction. This request helps guide how best to use county programming to reduce disparities by removing barriers.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval