The Pole County Board of Commissioners convened on August 13, 2024, with all members present, to discuss several key agenda items, including a significant proposal aimed at addressing eviction issues in the county.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to the approval of the agenda and minutes from previous meetings, all of which passed unanimously.

A notable highlight was the presentation by Robert Marshall, a grants and development specialist for the Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. Marshall sought the board's endorsement for a grant application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under its Eviction Protection Grant Program. The proposed project aims to provide essential case management and legal aid services to low-income renters in Polk County who are at risk of eviction or have recently faced eviction.

Marshall emphasized the disparity in legal representation during eviction proceedings, revealing that only 5% of tenants in Polk County have legal representation compared to 35% of landlords. He reported that from June 2023 to July 2024, there were 394 eviction filings in the county, equating to 3.71 filings for every 100 rental units. Furthermore, he highlighted that nearly 48% of renters in Polk County were classified as moderately or severely rent burdened in 2022, spending a significant portion of their income on housing.

The proposed initiative would involve collaboration with Legal Aid Services of Oregon to deliver comprehensive support to affected renters, including a full-time case manager stationed at the local resource center. The board's endorsement of this grant application is seen as a crucial step in addressing the growing eviction crisis and supporting vulnerable residents in the community.