Board approves $1 million eviction-prevention fund, names Regional Homeless Coalition administrator

The Health Education and Housing Facilities Board of the City of Chattanooga on Feb. 17 approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition to administer a $1,000,000 eviction-prevention fund set aside by City Council.

Megan Denton, the city's director of housing policy, described the fund as a "shallow but flexible" program intended to intervene directly for households at risk of eviction. "The amount is $1,000,000," Denton said. She told the board the coalition would accept and review applications, disperse funding, work with referral partners, and collect reporting metrics.

Partners and administration: Denton named partner organizations that will help refer or support clients, including Legal Aid of East Tennessee and the city's office of homelessness and supportive housing. She said the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition has experience administering related funds and could begin administering this program immediately if the contract is approved.

Board clarifications and conditions: Board members asked where the funds are held (the resolution references the City of Chattanooga but the board noted the Health Education and Housing Facilities Board account was previously discussed). Staff said the $1,000,000 is allocated and that signatures and term dates in the contract (the draft listed Feb. 1 to Jan. 2027) can be adjusted subject to the city attorney's office. The chair requested that staff provide an update to the board after the first six months of administration.

Vote and follow-up: The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote. The approved motion authorizes execution of a standard contractor services agreement with the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition to administer the eviction-prevention fund; staff will return with any necessary administrative changes and periodic reports as requested by the board.