Summary

This proposed ordinance would establish a program providing access to legal representation for tenants facing eviction or equivalent proceedings; provide an appropriation for initial costs to begin the program; create the position of program coordinator in the Department of Human Services to implement and oversee the program; require the ongoing assessment of and oversight over the needs and outcomes of the program; provide that organizations providing legal representation under the program should work to provide the best possible outcome for a case; require property owners to provide tenants information regarding the availability of the program when terminating tenancy, and require the program coordinator to produce and make available to property owners materials for this use; and require that the program coordinator will work to engage and educate tenants and others about the program, including a severability clause, and an emergency clause.