Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Eviction Rights topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves reallocation of ARPA funding to continue Eviction Right-to-Counsel pilot; advocates say program pays for itself
Summary
After testimony from legal-aid partners, the council approved moving American Rescue Plan funds to continue an eviction right-to-counsel program; speakers cited an independent fiscal study showing a $5.10 return for every dollar invested and urged full funding to avoid homelessness.
The Metropolitan Council voted to allocate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to expand a pilot eviction right-to-counsel (ERTC) program that provides legal representation, mediation and limited financial assistance to tenants facing eviction.
Representatives from the Legal Aid Society, Nashville Hispanic Bar Association, Rooftop Nashville, Nashville Conflict Resolution Center and other partners described the program as a homelessness-prevention tool that keeps families housed and reduces downstream social costs. Legal Aid and the program’s fiscal contractor presented results from a study showing that, during the pilot, every $1 invested produced approximately $5.10 in fiscal return to the city when measured against avoided shelter, emergency service and other costs.
Speakers described high success rates in mediation and case outcomes; program partners said 95% of clients’ goals were achieved in the pilot and that the program returned direct financial assistance to families in crisis while preventing the long-term housing impacts that an eviction judgment brings.
Council debate was succinct; the budget committee recommended approval and the full council adopted the reallocation. One council member recorded an abstention on the vote. Program partners asked the council to consider full, ongoing funding (Legal Aid cited a $9.3 million figure for a fully scaled program), and to expand rapid-response advice, same-day courthouse services, and tenant education if the council provides additional resources.
The council’s action reallocates funds to continue and expand the ERTC pilot; partners said the program can scale rapidly if the council commits operating dollars beyond the ARPA allocation.
