City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 28, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Consideration of Increasing Staffing and Legal Resources for Eviction Prevention Activities.
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ISSUE: Urgent need for eviction prevention and legal services.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council increase the capacity to support households in the eviction process by funding two Service Navigators and two Housing Relocator positions ($357,000), storage assistance for household belongings ($50,000), and additional legal services to assist those at risk for eviction ($100,000).
BACKGROUND: In 2020 the City of Alexandria convened the Eviction Prevention Task Force (Task Force), composed of a number of City departments and external community partners, including the Department of Community and Human Services, Office of Housing, Sheriff's Office, City Attorney's Office, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Tenant and Workers United, African Communities Together, Christ Church and Emergency Financial Providers. The goal of the Task Force is to coordinate resources and outreach to residents at risk of eviction due to financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. The housing crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has sharply increased the risk of long-term harm to renter families and individuals, disruptions of the market affordable housing market and the potential for foreclosure and bankruptcy, especially among small property owners. Following eviction, a person's likelihood of experiencing homelessness increases, mental and physical health are diminished and the probability of obtaining employment declines. Eviction is also linked with respiratory disease, which could increase the risk of complications if COVID-19 is contracted. Instability, like eviction, is particularly damaging to childre...
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