Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus in an amount up to $400,000.00 in support of the Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) to provide legal representation to residents facing an eviction.
Tenants with legal representation are much more likely to avoid an eviction judgment and keep possession of their homes than unrepresented tenants. In addition to these primary effects, a right to counsel offers several secondary benefits to defendants who are sued for eviction. Attorneys may be able to keep eviction filings off tenants’ records, arrange for alternative housing, negotiate reasonable amounts of time for tenants to move out, reduce or eliminate money owed to the landlord, or help tenants apply for rental assistance.
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing financial insecurity for many residents of Columbus, eviction filings are rising, and the court is expected to see an increase in eviction hearings for the remainder of 2021. With these grant dollars, The Legal Aid Society of Columbus will be able to staff an additional four TAP attorneys for the remainder of the 2021 calendar year.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that The Legal Aid Society of Columbus can immediately begin providing additional legal counsel at eviction court on behalf of Columbus residents facing eviction.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Basic City Services fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus in an amount up to $400,000.00 in support of the Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) to provide legal representation to residents facing an eviction; to authorize a transfer of funds between the Basic City Services fund and the general fund; to authorize a appropriation in the general fund to the Department of Development; to authorize the expe...
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