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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Adoption of an Interim Ordinance Establishing a Tenant Right to Counsel Program for a Period of 12-Months; and (2) (If Desired) Direction to the City Manager Regarding Additional Funding for the Program in the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
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Meeting Date: April 14, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Tevis Barnes, Housing and Human Services Department
Christina Burrows, Assistant City Attorney
Phone Number: (310) 253-5660
(310) 253-5780
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/10/2025)
Department Approval: Tevis Barnes, Housing and Human Services Director (03/26/2025); Heather Baker, City Attorney (04/08/2025) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt an interim ordinance establishing a Tenant Right to Counsel Program for a period of 12-Months; and (2) if desired, direct the City Manager regarding additional funding for the Tenant Right to Counsel Program in the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
BACKGROUND
On March 3, 2025 the City Council directed staff to prepare an urgency ordinance establishing a Tenant Right to Counsel Program. On March 17, 2025, after discussing the options for a Tenant Right to Counsel Program, the City Council introduced an interim ordinance which would establish a Tenant Right to Counsel Program for a period of 12-months (the "Pilot Program").
DISCUSSION
Proposed Pilot Program
The table below compares the Current Service Model with the Pilot Program.
Evaluation of Pilot Program
Bet Tzedek currently provides one staff attorney to cover Culver City. The cost of the existing agreement for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 will be approximately $160,000. In order to provide full scope legal representation to all eligible tenants, Bet Tzed...
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