TITLE
Title
CONTRACT TO OPERATE AN EVICTION MEDIATION AND LANDLORD OUTREACH PROGRAM WITH UNC-G
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Natalie Craver, Assistant County Manager for Successful People
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BACKGROUND
Background
Since July 1, 2022, Guilford County has contracted with UNC-G Center for Housing and Community Studies (CHCS) to address the needs of vulnerable, low-income communities experiencing housing instability and potential evictions. The eviction mediation and counseling program includes a triage system of housing counseling and resource navigation that guides tenants through options to address rental arrears, address cost burdens, and connect with existing resources in the community. The current contract ends on December 31, 2025. The proposed contract will continue services from January 2026 through June 2026, for an amount of $417,912.
During FY 2025, CHCS has held 194 eviction clinic days in the courthouse in partnership with Legal Aid and together served over 2,500 households by providing eviction mediation, rental assistance, and referrals to other services. During this same period there were 6,400 evictions on the court docket on the days the clinic was present in court. Of those cases, approximately 23% (1,502) were dismissed by the court or the landlord and an additional 17% (1,107) were delayed by being continued to a later date. Additionally, UNC-G has conducted 919 one-on-one landlord engagements, primarily with small landlords who have 1 to 10 units.
The County has used ERA and then ARPA funds to pay for this service until now but both of these funding sources have been expended. This new contract will be funded with local funds appropriated in the FY 2025-26 budget including local funds and ARPA investment proceeds.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Authorize the County Manager, or designee, to enter into contract, and take any and all necessary steps to execut...
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