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County to accept Block Family Foundation subgrant for eviction‑mediation research and add one housing‑counseling FTE
Summary
The Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development proposed accepting $180,000 passed through United Community Services to study eviction‑mediation outcomes and to add one HUD‑certified housing counselor FTE funded 50% by the grant and 50% by HOME‑ARP funds.
On Feb. 6 Johnson County staff asked the Board of County Commissioners to authorize a subrecipient agreement with United Community Services of Johnson County to accept a Block Family Foundation subgrant of $180,000 to collect longitudinal data on the county’s eviction mediation program and to authorize one new full‑time equivalent position in Planning, Housing and Community Development to provide renter‑focused housing counseling.
Megan Foreman, presenting for the department, described two related actions: accepting the pass‑through grant to collect data about the District Court’s eviction mediation program and adding one FTE. The new position would be HUD‑certified housing counselor; 50% of the salary would be funded by the Block Family Foundation pass‑through grant and 50% by HUD HOME‑ARP supportive‑services funds. Foreman said the Block-funded work will collect longitudinal data from tenants and landlords at mediation and at 3, 6 and 12 months post‑mediation and that respondents will be offered gift cards for participation. The counselor would also provide direct support to tenants—case management, credit repair, debt counseling and referrals—and broad public education on landlord/tenant rights and financial stability.
Foreman cited promising early mediation results: roughly 73% of mediated agreements were reported as successful in avoiding an eviction judgment in early program data, and county pick‑count data found 29% of people experiencing homelessness reported a prior eviction as contributing to current housing instability. She said Johnson County currently lacks housing counseling services targeted specifically to renters and that the new position would fill that gap. HOME‑ARP funds that would pay half the FTE’s salary were originally dedicated to the Homeless Services Center project and were reallocated to supportive services and affordable rental development; those HOME‑ARP funds are available through about 2030. Foreman said staff will communicate funding uncertainty to candidates and will eliminate the position if funding is not available after the grant expires (anticipated ~2027).
Commissioners expressed broad support for the program and asked staff for additional metrics and operational details; several commissioners noted the community need for renter‑focused counseling and cited successful pilot programs and partner interest. The board did not take final action at the Feb. 6 meeting; staff will present the item for formal action next week.
