The Housing Facilities Board voted to authorize the chair and vice chair to execute an agreement with Legal Aid of East Tennessee to administer an eviction-prevention program funded up to $500,000.

Megan Butler, director of housing policy, told the board the funding supports Legal Aid’s ongoing program that provides attorneys and paralegals who represent tenants facing eviction, negotiate with landlords and appear at Thursday eviction dockets. Butler said the program has been funded in prior years (since around 2021 or 2022) and that earlier funding phases used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars; the current authorization places the program within the city’s affordable housing fund.

Board members asked about reporting and program monitoring. Butler and staff said the contract includes monthly and quarterly financial and narrative reporting as well as annual reports and additional reporting as needed. Staff (S10) noted the contract’s scope of work describes client characteristics, income levels and geographic distribution, and board discussion noted that the program reports by council district so impacts can be tracked citywide.

Butler said Legal Aid’s eligibility includes an income threshold of roughly 80% of area median income; tenants with an active eviction filing may call Legal Aid’s local office (based at the Justice Center in Chattanooga) for assistance. Butler emphasized Legal Aid’s presence at court and the value of counsel for tenants who otherwise commonly appear without representation.

There was discussion clarifying the resolution and whether two grants referenced in a council resolution represented separate disbursements; staff explained the structure and that funds are being managed through the city to the board. After discussion the board moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

Next steps: staff will finalize and execute the agreement with Legal Aid and implement the reporting framework included in the contract.