Agenda

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County Administrator's Report 12. 9.

BCC Regular Meeting

Budget & Finance Consent

Meeting Date:	11/05/2015
Issue: Title Clearance Services Program Agreement with Legal Services of North Florida, Inc.
From:	Tonya Gant
Department:	Neighborhood & Human Svcs
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Title Clearance Services Program Agreement with Legal Services of North Florida, Inc. - Tonya Gant, Neighborhood & Human Services Department Director

That the Board take the following action concerning the Title Clearance Services Program Agreement with Legal Services of North Florida, Inc.:

A. Approve the Title Clearance Services Agreement with Legal Services of North Florida, Inc. (LSNF), in the amount of $45,000; and

B. Authorize the Chairman or Vice Chairman to execute the Agreement and related documents required to implement the program.

[Funding: Fund 129/2015 CDBG, Cost Center 370224]

BACKGROUND:

Clouded titles and heir properties are detrimental to the community, often resulting in substandard or deteriorating housing stock since heirs cannot access financing to improve the property nor can the property be sold. Families may eventually lose the properties to code/nuisance abatement liens contributing to blighted vacant properties and structures. During the HUD 2015 Annual Planning process, staff identified an increase in requests for repair assistance by households without clear title. Clear title is a requirement for assistance through the County's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) repair programs.

On July 23, 2015, the Board approved a line item for a Title Clearance Program as a Public Service element using CDBG funding (see Exhibit I). Staff issued a request for proposals for Title Clearance Services (see Exhibit II) and received one response from LSNF.

Funds will support legal services to clear title for a minimum of 15 low or moderate income clients (estimating 25 cases to accomplish) in order to remove barriers to their ability to improve or maintain their properties, by becoming eligible for traditional financing or County/City rehabilitation programs. Cases may include probate, quiet title, bankruptcy and tax disputes and will allow clients to gain and maintain ownership of their homes or properties. Preference is to be given to clients with improved properties. In addition to direct client services, a community education component will be provided to include development of educational literature, two educational workshop presentations to the community, and a minimum of three outreach events.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

Funding for this project is budgeted in Fund 129/CDBG, Cost Center 370224.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

The Agreement (Exhibit III) has been reviewed and approved by Kristin Hual, Assistant County Attorney.

PERSONNEL:

No impact to personnel.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

CDBG funding requires an Agreement to be approved by the Board.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Neighborhood Enterprise Division (NED) will oversee the implementation of this project in conjunction with LSNF.

Attachments
Ex I-HUD Plan Approval Summary
EX II-Title RFP
EX III-LSNF Title Clearance Agreement