TL;DR (generated · confidence: high)

The Eviction Legal Defense program, originally funded through ARPA, Rental Registration Fund, and County grants, faces a recommended $398,122 General Fund reduction. This 7% service cut reduces capacity from 950 to 885 households annually, leaving 65 households without legal/financial assistance for eviction prevention. The program serves predominantly low-income renters, 47% of whom self-identify as BIPOC, in a context of rising eviction filings countywide.

Key points (each cites a PDF page):

Recommended reduction of $398,122 in General Fund Discretionary funding (p. 744)
Reduction represents 7% cut to service level, reducing households served from 950 target to 885 (p. 744)
65 households will not receive legal and/or financial assistance or housing relocation support (p. 744)
Program originally funded through ARPA, Rental Registration Fund, and Multnomah County Grants; bureau requested TIF/General Fund allocation but did not receive full returning TIF (p. 744)
As of June 30, 2024, program has served over 2,500 households, 47% self-identifying as BIPOC (p. 744)
Multnomah County eviction filings increased from 5,877 in 2019 to 9,181 as of October 2024 (p. 744)

💰 $398,122 · 📋 Eviction Legal Defense · 🏛️ Portland Housing Bureau

23,640

Source: PDF p. 744 · raw: 744

Breadcrumb: 4 ced › Comm-EcDev-DPs › Package Details › 23,640

23,640 - Eviction Legal Defense Service Area Community & Economic Development DCA Donnie Oliveira Bureau Name Portland Housing Bureau Director Helmi Hisserich Funding Type Name Reduction Status: Recommended Package Desc Expense Recommended Total The Eviction Legal Defense program was initially funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, External Materials and Services ($398,122) Rental Registration Fund, and Multnomah County Grants. Last year, PHB requested that the ($398,122) program be supported by the Returning TIF/General Fund allocation. The bureau didn't receive the full returning TIF therefore did not allocate GF resources to the program. While PHB hoped to secure Revenue Recommended Total General Fund support for the program, other funding sources will allow the program to continue at a reduced rate. General Fund Discretionary ($398,122) Service Impacts ($398,122) The cut represents a 7 percent reduction in service level; serving 885 households compared to 950 households’ target. Tenants served by ELD are in imminent risk of losing their housing due to eviction. These funds support tenants facing eviction by offering households legal and/or financial assistance. Funds can also be used to secure new housing and assist with moves. The loss of this funding means a minimum of 65 households will not be served by ELD and will not receive the resources needed to maintain their housing. Equity Impacts The economic and housing precarity experienced by low- and moderate-income renters since the onset of the pandemic is far from over. Multnomah County has seen a significant number of evictions filed from pre-pandemic years (2019: 5,877 vs 2024: 9,181 as of October) National data indicates that evictions disproportionately impact Black households, households headed by women, and households with children. As of June 30, 2024, over 2,500 households have been served by this program, with 47% of households self-identifying as BIPOC.

Parent: Package Details · PDF: p. 744