You cant overstate the trauma and stress it causes, Smyser said. As a result, tenants at risk of eviction receive access to rental assistance and legal representation and tenants and landlords are required to participate in a free mediation session with the goal of resolution through an agreement. The hour gives the community a consistent source of information, Gagen said. Eviction diversion planning | NCSC The Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD). Parrish explained that rental assistance is an essential part of these programs, but an eviction diversion approach allows local governments and nonprofits to go beyond just distributing money. The Eviction Diversion Program enables landlords and tenants to arrive at an agreement that works for both parties, without having to go to Court. The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Biden administration had overstepped its authority with its plan to wipe out more than $400 billion in student debt, dashing the hopes of . Philadelphia Launches Eviction Diversion Program Housing instability means anything that may threaten one's ability to remain in their home, including evictions. The maturity model is also provided in a PDF to take away and use your with team to discuss strategies and approaches. Eviction filing rates in areas with faster-moving programs have tended to stay lower, while case loads have increased in places that have been slower to distribute aid. Eviction Diversion Program in Richmond, VA The program utilizes a specially designed process to quickly provide rental assistance for eligible renters who have been impacted. Both Gagen and Smyser stressed the importance of the programs ongoing outreach to landlords, which emphasizes the benefits to the landlord, as a small business owner, of avoiding costly eviction proceedings and keeping a good renter who is facing a temporary difficulty. Explainer: Philly extends eviction protections - WHYY Sign up to receive news about events and new features from Eviction Lab. Between February 2021 and June 2022, the New Orleans City Courts interventions have reached over 5,700 people, including tenants and their children, with 84% of households served identifying as African American and 72% headed by women. The statute establishing ERA2 permits each grantee to use up to 15 percent of the total amount of ERA2 funds paid to it for eligible administrative costs. Provide immediate financial assistance to reduce the burden on landlords and offer recognition for service provided to the community. 1437a(b) is low-income families whose incomes do not exceed 50 per centum of the median family income for the area, as determined by the Secretary [of Housing and Urban Development] with adjustments for smaller and larger families, except that the Secretary may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 50 per centum of the median for the area on the basis of the Secretarys findings that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes. All references to very low-income families in this FAQ incorporate this definition. PDF Eviction Prevention and Diversion Programs - Urban Institute The biggest thing that our research shows is that its doable, that theres support for eviction diversion across stakeholder groups, and that there are best practices from both formal programs that are currently operational, as well as informal, coordinated efforts for eviction prevention across the country.. The court requires defendants to apply for the citys ERA program before allowing the eviction to proceed. The city of Philadelphias ERA program is also integrated directly into the citys eviction court system. Visit SAMHSA on Instagram Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden. Philadelphia's Eviction Diversion Program Kept Thousands Housed - The 8Such approval occurs at the time of the execution of a written agreement or other legal instrument providing for the disbursement of ERA2 funds. Kendra Brooks on Twitter: "RT @CouncilmemberJG: Proud to have Eviction diversion aims to prevent evictions through a mix of legal representation, rent assistance, and mediation between landlords and tenants. In 2021, HUD launched the Eviction Protection Grant Program (EPGP), a first-of-its-kind federal program designed to expand the reach of legal services to low-income tenants at risk of, or subject to, eviction. Philadelphia's program does not lower medical costs, raise . Staffers from nonprofits, social service agencies, community health providers, and legal aid organizations address questions and connect tenants with local resources. Eviction - COVID-19 & Texas Law - Guides at Texas State Law Library Louisville, KY is utilizing a multi-pronged approach to eviction diversion that includes legal representation for tenants, community based outreach, and collaboration with local courts. COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project (CEDP), Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), Immigrant and Refugee Organization (IRCO), Gene Sperling, White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator, Matthew Desmond, Eviction Lab, Princeton University, Diane Yentel, National Low Income Housing Coalition, Vanita Gupta, Associate Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack, Michigan Supreme Court, Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon, New Mexico Supreme Court, Chief Judge Veronica Henry, New Orleans First City Court, Jacob Leibenluft, Chief Recovery Officer, U.S. Department of Treasury, Andrea Bell, Oregon Housing and Community Services, Hazel Remesch, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Zach Neumann, COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project (Colorado), Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chair Sherrod Brown (OH), Erika Poethig, Special Assistant to the President for Housing and Urban Policy, According to the annual data collected for 2021 by the, Since the national eviction moratorium ended, eviction filing rates have remained well below average filings at, The First and Second City Courts Eviction Legal Services Help Desks and Right to Counsel Program have, In June2022, eviction filing rates were 10% below the average filing rate in a pre-pandemic year and. Staff from DHS, Legal Aid, or other organizations can help tenants assess what led to the crisis, whether it was a temporary financial emergency, a transportation problem, or simply that the individuals rent costs were not financially sustainable. "Eviction diversion programs are critical to preventing severe and long-lasting harm to adults and children nationwide. The city is committing long-term funding for rental assistance, a key component of diversion. Connect ERA grantees with courts processing evictions so they can collaborate to assist eligible tenants. Kathy Smyser, Program Director for HRI, explained that losing ones home has a lasting impact on individuals and families. What happens in court can also be a moment to offer services and protections. If localities want to be proactive in protecting households from eviction, they can connect enforcement around evictions to those resources., Late in 2020, an early analysis showed that 86% of cases in Philadelphia have either reached an agreement or started a mediation process, according to a local NPR station in the city., But, according to Parrish, eviction diversion programs are not only favorable to tenants., Of the property owners we surveyed, 80% had an increase in later delinquent payments in the last 12 months, Parrish said. Most landlords just want to get paid and most tenants just want to pay the rent, Glaves said. A new program, the Emergency Rental Assistance program, will continue to help residents facing eviction. This program is required for all landlords with tenants who have had difficulty paying rent due to a COVID-19 related hardship. An eviction record can scare off would-be landlords, so people are often forced to find temporary shelter and can even end up homeless. SAMHSA Blog. Any proceeds or income a grantee receives after September 30, 2025, from loans, interest subsidies, or other similar financial arrangements made with ERA2 funds must be used for affordable rental housing purposes or eviction prevention purposes in accordance with this FAQ. The Summit included two parts: a public plenary on best practices on eviction prevention and a series of breakout sessions for local public officials, court officials, legal services organizations, local bar associations, community-based organizations, landlord associations, tenant advocates, emergency rental assistance administrators, and local philanthropies representing 46 cities across the country to develop eviction prevention action plans for their local areas. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation C3.ai Digital Transformation Institute Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Ford Foundation The JPB Foundation Have a question about government service? The Eviction Diversion Program is the product of discussions among community leadersincluding judges, housing aid organizations, landlords, and legal organizationsconcerned about the increasing numbers of evictions during the last economic downturn. Support from landlordsas well as the judicial system, service agencies, and nonprofitshas been critical to the programs success. 1As of the date of this FAQ, the definition of very low-income families in 42 U.S.C. Smyser explained that the costs of finding shelter for evicted tenants and replacing belongings lost in the process can be substantial for service agencies. Third party independent evaluations of eviction diversion programs all across the country show real returns on investment. The program diverts eviction cases to on-site ERA administrators, Eviction Help Desks, the Right to Counsel Program, and other supportive services to prevent eviction and stabilize housing. What is the Texas Eviction Diversion Program? Additionally, an eviction can damage a person's credit and make it more difficult to find housing in the future. The housing counselor also attends the mediation session with the trained mediator to support the tenant in the mediation process. 5 For purposes of determining whether any expenses constitute affordable rental housing purposes under ERA2, in the event of a direct conflict between ERA2 requirements and requirements of a listed program to which a grantee will conform its affordable rental housing project, ERA2 requirements will prevail with respect to any portion of the project funded by ERA2 funds. The Texas Eviction Diversion Program is an interagency rental assistance program that pays landlords for past-due rent, allows tenants to stay in their homes, and dismisses the diverted cases from the courts. Far too many people are incarcerated and confined inside U.S. jails and prisons. Colorado: Partnering with Nonprofits to Provide Immediate Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance. Even if the parties do not want to participate in a mediation, they are pointed towards the other services, like legal aid services and rental assistance. Their Office of Resilience and Community Services has partnered with the Office of Women, Office of Housing, Neighborhood Place, and the Coalition for the Homeless to target and reach out to Louisville residents at risk of eviction. More than 16 months into the pandemic, millions of renters across the country still fear of losing their homes and experiencing homelessness. Supreme Court announces eviction diversion program - IndyStar Chief Judge Veronica Henry developed the First and Second City Courts award-winning Eviction Diversion Program, a partnership between the City of New Orleans, First and Second City Courts, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LFHAC), Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative, and Parochial Offices of the Court. We aim to increase engagement, awareness and knowledge of the housing stabilizing resources, rights, and protections available to the rental community. NCSC's Eviction Diversion Initiative (EDI) grant program supports state and local courts across the country as they build on pandemic-era programs and practices to permanently change the way eviction court works. This new eviction diversion initiative seeks to keep people housed by finding solutions to disputes between renters and landlords and avoiding court-mandated evictions during the pandemic., People can call to get connected to legal advice and mediation before anything happens, so they dont even have to be in court to figure out issues related to eviction, said Bob Glaves, executive director of The Chicago Bar Foundation, one of the organizations involved in the program. FACT SHEET: White House Summit on Building Lasting Eviction Prevention Have clearly defined goals, alignment, and coordination between all the actors, agencies, and organizations involved. The statute establishing ERA2 provides that a grantee may use any of its ERA2 funds that are unobligated on October 1, 2022, for affordable rental housing and eviction prevention purposes, as defined by the Secretary, serving very low-income families (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. What: A court co-located eviction prevention/diversion program is facilitated by the local court and engages legal aid and other local stakeholders to help landlords and The eviction filing rate for Philadelphia has remained at. Work with multiple partners to optimize collaboration to connect with tenants missing documentation and on the eviction court docket. People have made the commitment to stay engaged.. The earlier we can intervene in the eviction process, the better. Read the Request for Applications Some state and local rental assistance programs have done a much better job than others of getting funds out to tenants and landlords. The EDP is a win-win-win: vulnerable families remain in their homes, landlords get paid, and we reduce homelessness and housing instability citywide! Utilize existing system resources, programs, staff, and community organizations to help manage and shape the program. Tenants at UC Townhomes will participate in city's eviction diversion For example, grantees should consider: (1) providing information to judges, magistrates, court clerks, and other relevant court officials about the availability of assistance under ERA programs and housing stability services; (2) working with eviction courts to provide information about assistance under ERA programs to tenants and landlords as early in the adjudication process as possible; and (3) engaging providers of legal services and other housing stability services to assist households against which an eviction action for nonpayment of rent has been filed. An Eviction Diversion Program is a holistic combination of services that divert a landlord-tenant dispute away from a court judgment. The federal efforts to help tenants in need have focused so far on providing money for renters to catch up with landlords. Understand what type of program is best suited for your jurisdiction and court structure. Building on these best practices, the Michigan Supreme Court has proposed a new statewide order permanently adopting the stay of eviction action when a tenant applies for assistance. On June 30, 2021 the White House hosted a first of its kind virtual Eviction Prevention Summit. The Memphis and Shelby County ERA program expedites ERA applications that come through these channels, allowing many households to use ERA funds to remain stably housed rather than enduring the hardship of a court-approved eviction. Zip code data on eviction rates and the lowest number of requests for assistance allows partners to identify and target outreach to the most marginalized, highest risk tenants. Eviction: How Philadelphia's diversion program became a national model The TEDP is a voluntary program that permits eligible landlords and tenants to agree upon a resolution to the issues raised in an eviction case. These efforts play an important function in cases where the landlord had already started eviction proceedings. Automate and optimize processes with tech and data; Connect directly with tenants before court; Expedited rental payments. State and Local Innovations in Eviction Prevention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Mandating Pre-filing Eviction Diversion and Prohibiting Harmful Tenant Screening Practices. 1. Eviction Diversion - Philly Tenant The city of Memphis and Shelby Countys joint program includes a data sharing relationship with the local court system. Court-Based and Court-Adjacent Eviction Prevention and/or Division Programs, and the Eviction Innovations website maintained by Stanford Law School's Legal Design Lab. Those not eligible are referred to the Community Housing Hour for connection to other services. This partnership affords ERA program administrators real-time information about neighborhoods with increased eviction activity, allowing more targeted outreach towards tenants and landlords. The application period is now closed, and funding decisions will be announced in July. She noted that children are often uprooted from their schools, which can harm their academic performance long term. Treasury will calculate the 75 percent obligation threshold as (i) the total amount of ERA2 funds the grantee has obligated 9for financial assistance to eligible households, eligible costs for housing stability services, and eligible administrative costs, divided by (ii) the grantees total ERA2 allocation, including any amounts reallocated to and excluding any amounts recaptured from the grantee. To ensure continued eviction prevention, partners are working to sustain the program long-term with funds from the state and are expanding to other housing areas, including foreclosure. Eviction Diversion - HOME of VA HOME of VA For those facing a temporary financial crunch, DHS or HRI may provide financial help. Philadelphia's eviction diversion program offers alternative to court This is the opposite of what happens in conventional eviction courts, where most families that show up to court receive an eviction judgment., In Chicago, tenants and landlords can receive help through the programs hotline and its website. Some households are eligible to receive emergency assistance from the state or aid from Housing Resources, Inc. (HRI), a local nonprofit organization. Gagen noted that those who violated their lease or who are more than three months behind on rent are not eligible. First launched in 2022, the grant program currently supports 12 state and local courts in their efforts to create holistic, sustainable, and community-driven eviction diversion programs. These are cost effective, incredibly efficient programs, Desmond said. Chicago landlords and tenants have also benefited from the Cook County Early Resolution Program that diverts eviction cases to mediation and provides free legal aid to both tenants and unrepresented landlords. Eligible Affordable Rental Housing Purposes. In Michigan, the Kalamazoo County Eviction Diversion Program began in 2010 as a partnership between social service organizations, legal aid groups, the area district court, and the county human services agency to provide rental assistance, landlord negotiation and mediation services, case In 2013, the average cost to clear back rent and avert an eviction for a household in the program was $1,067 (combined state and local funds), compared to the estimated $10,990 cost to evict and re-house the household. The Community Housing Hour, which is hosted by the local Goodwill Industries and accessible by public transportation, has also been an important part of the programs success and longevity, agreed Gagen and Smyser. Build and support holistic eviction diversion interventions that address parties human needs, financial needs, and legal needs in the eviction process. The collaboration with the Office of Women was born out of the recognition that female led households, especially those headed by African-Americans, are disproportionately targeted for eviction. While the court process remains the same once an eviction case is filed, parties are encouraged to consider alternatives to litigation before moving forward with filing a case. The program assigns a housing counselor to the tenant, who informs them of rights and resources, rental assistance, and helps negotiate possible agreements. The program will begin at 12:30 pm ET and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30pm ET. In 2013 alone, the program prevented 360 evictions, sparing 719 adults and 363 children the trauma of being displaced from their homes and communities, according to data Gagen presented to the Michigan House of Representatives in February 2014. Some state and local rental assistance programs have done a much better job than others of getting funds out to tenants and landlords. HUD No. To ensure services reach those with the greatest need, partners have combined data analysis with canvassing and door knocking. Only cases that need to be in court should be in court, Parrish said. The Urgent Need for Eviction System Reform, Visionary Court-Led Eviction System Reform, Innovations in State and Local Eviction Prevention, Charge to Invest Remaining American Rescue Plan Funds in Housing Stability, Congressional Efforts to Secure Housing Stability and Eviction Prevention, The Path Forward on Eviction Protections and Closing Remarks, APPENDIX: Eight Models of Top State and Local Innovations that Build on the Emergency Rental Assistance Infrastructure to Sustain Eviction Reform, Michigan: Adopting Long-Term Court-Based Eviction Diversion to Prevent Avoidable Evictions. The partnerships between participating organizations have also been strengthened by meeting weekly. The program cannot help everyone facing eviction. Increase awareness and accessibility through a portfolio of partners and approaches to connect with specific high risk populations. June 30, 2023. TJB | Eviction Diversion Program - Texas Judicial Branch The city has allocated $400,000 of their ERA funding to enact a right to counsel program for tenants with children who are facing eviction. New Mexico: Leveraging American Rescue Plan Funding and Collaborating with Landlords and Tenants to Design Sustainable Eviction Diversion Programs. The Notice to Quit is a legal document that formally notifies the tenant that the tenancy will be terminated on a specific date. Consistent with FAQ 29, any direct and indirect administrative costs must be allocated by the grantee to the provision of financial assistance, housing stability services, or other affordable rental housing and eviction prevention purposes. 1437a(b)); and. Supreme Court Rejects Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness Plan These partnerships have often included streamlined procedures that reduce the eligibility documentation required from households in these situations. Visit the SAMHSA Facebook page Eligible eviction prevention purposes are defined in the same manner as housing stability services under FAQ 23; however, services provided with funds made available for eviction prevention purposes must serve very low-income families. For example, in Durham, North Carolina, over 70% of families that participated in the diversion program remained in their home. The Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) is designed to keep Michigan residents who fell behind on their rent during COVID-19 in their homes. Instead of trained sheriff's deputies . Eviction Protection Grant Program | HUD USER What is the Philadelphia Eviction Diversion Program? Administrative Costs Attributable to Affordable Rental Housing and Eviction Prevention Purposes. The goal of the Eviction Diversion Program is to help clients avoid eviction judgements and, when possible, to enable clients to remain in their current homes. Switch to Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari. COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Initiative Overview | Mass.gov Oregon was one of the first states to supplement ERA funds with SLFRF and state funding. In Denver, the program works seamlessly with the right to counsel, adopted in 2021. New Orleans built on the diversion program by legislatively adopting the right to counsel for tenants facing eviction in 2022 and initially funding the intervention with $2 million in ERA funds. Create messaging and outreach that encourages early and transparent communication between parties. 2 Treasurys reporting guidance will address the specific reporting and certification requirements associated with the uses of ERA2 funds described in this FAQ. The University City Townhomes at 40th and Market Streets in Philadelphia in summer, 2023. But Gagen noted that every community should assess local resources and adapt the program accordingly. But as our research showed, rental assistance is addressing one part of the problem and isnt taking a holistic view on the eviction crisis, Parrish said. Successful programs involve robust collaborations between governments and community organizations to provide emergency rental assistance services. the household income of occupants of units funded by ERA2 funds is limited to the maximum income applicable to very low-income families, as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. All rights reserved. Information Attention Residents Congress has approved $46 billion in rent assistance, and states and local governments have been in charge of the distribution of these funds. In Colorado, the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project launched the Colorado Stability Fund, a unique revolving rental assistance fund capable of issuing quick, accurate ERA payments in less than 24 hours through a new partnership between the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project (CEDP), Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), and Colorados Division of Housing (DOH). According to experts, some of the key elements for the success of these programs are: Regardless of the case outcome, an eviction case filing can damage a tenants credit and rental history, making it more difficult to find housing in the future. Promote early interventions and solutions, especially before an eviction case is filed. Who is eligible? Mediation uses trained, neutral third parties to mediate agreements between tenants and landlords to explore alternatives to court. Applications open for eviction diversion grants | NCSC Many grantees have found that partnerships with their local court systems and legal services organizations are critical tools for preventing housing insecurity and helping landlords recover from rental arrearages. The program is expected to double the number of tenants who have access to attorneys, serving 2,000 to 3,000 tenants per year, and greatly reduce eviction orders.