Agenda Item
3.24 23-0697 Subject: Centro Legal De La Raza, Inc. Grant Agreement For Tenant Legal Services
From: Housing And Community Development Department
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Awarding A Grant Agreement To Centro Legal De La Raza, Inc. For An Amount Not To Exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) To Provide Tenant Legal Services And Eviction Protection
Rent relief has been proven to be the best eviction prevention. By the time the tenant needs an attorney its too late. Legal services often delay the inevitable and put the tenant further in debt. If given the choice tenants want rent relief, not money for lawyers. There are other sources of free legal services, but NO rent relief.
It’s always noted by this City council that Black residents are evicted the most. Where is the specific data that Central Legal is helping Black renters?
Kelly Hoffman indicated that Blacks represented 46% of overall clients that received services in 22/23, but that spans all types of services. Why doesn’t the City require detailed demographic data (Hispanic, Black, Asian, White, Other) and income data (30% AMI, 50% AMI, 80% AMI):
- for legal consultations
- for legal representation
- for case management/housing consultations
- for clinics
- How many of each demographic had had to move? How many were able to stay in their home?
- How many of each demographic received renter assistance payments and what was the average payment?
Also, why does the City provide free legal assistance to people that could be earning 80% of AMI $118,000 per year (this is right n Centro Legal's web site)? High wage earners are taking advantage of small landlords many of which are Black and immigrant landlords. Why doesn't the City council limit free legal services to renters that can document they are low income and earn a maximum of 30% of AMI?