To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: N/A
Prepared By:
prepared
Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners' Office
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presenter
Presenter: Reenie Terjak and Megan O'Byrne, Colorado Legal Services
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Subject:
title
11:00 AM *Colorado Legal Services Eviction Funding Proposal
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this study session is to provide information on a proposed eviction legal services program, based on similar programs implemented in adjacent counties, for information and consideration.
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Background and Discussion: Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is a private, non-profit corporation that provides high quality free legal assistance in civil matters to indigent clients throughout the State of Colorado. CLS is the only agency in the state that provides free legal services, including direct representation, in civil cases to indigent clients in every Colorado county. To qualify for CLS's services, an applicant's income may not exceed 125% of the current federal poverty guidelines. All legal assistance is provided without charge to its clients.
Colorado Legal Services received funding in late 2018 from Adams County, the City and County of Broomfield, and the Cities of Westminster, Thornton, Federal Heights, Brighton, Commerce City, Aurora, and Northglenn to create an eviction defense and housing assistance Legal Services Pilot Program. Adams County took a leadership role in providing initial funding, with local jurisdictions also contributing through an intergovernmental agreement, which is attached. Cost allocations are included in Exhibit B.
The purpose of the Pilot Program was and continues to be to provide legal assistance to low-income households, to help prevent or mitigate the adverse familial and societal impacts of involuntary displacement and/or homelessness within the contributing jurisdictions, through a dedicated attorney and paralegal. The results of the pilot program within Adams and Broomfield ...
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