The launch of The Eviction Pilot Program
Congratulations on the launch of The Eviction Pilot Program as announced in the August 13, 2019 Houston Chronicle. Especially, best wishes to Justice of the Peace Judge Jeremy Brown.
I have advocated as Project Manager, since 2011, for Caring for Offender Families, especially for Prevention of Homelessness of the Children. By 2013, Evictions Prevention was an appeal from community friends.
In light of the Houston Chronicle announcement, I share evidence-based Eviction Findings, as it was presented to the Houston Homeless Coalition, COC Steering Committee, October 10, 2013. PLEASE see the attached Comment for this 2013 Evidence.
This 2013 data, still an extension of the Caring for Offender Families Project, reflects 900 Evictions per Week, 46,800 per year, with 3 data points, the resident, each of the 16 Justice of the Peace Courts, and the Apartments. Theory is that we would find a disproportionate number of evictions from the approximate 300 HUD funded Section 8 Rental Properties out of approximately 3,000 Houston Apartment Association Member Properties.
As relates to Caring for Offender Families, theory is that a disproportionate number of evictions match to the 120,000 per year processed through the new Harris County Joint Processing Center.
As relates to the magnitude, 120,000, there is no doubt that the Faith Community responds to the 120,000 deaths per year in Harris County. Same here. The "solid foundation" of the Caring for Offender Families Project is the Annie E. Casey Foundation's "Healing Communities" that I have advocated since the launch in 2008.
The CFOF Brochure & 8-year CFOF Project History are Attachments here on my LinkedIn. Here is the link to the "Healing Communities" manual, https://www.aecf.org/resources/what-shall-we-then-do-an-interdenominational-guide-and-kit-for-creating-hea/ . We have connected the dots!
As relates to Source of Funding, theory is that the majority of funding could be Private, especially our Corporate Community that employs our Apartment Residents. During the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) Houston Homelessness Charrettee in August 2012, I recommended the Corporate Community as an additional source of money. NOTE: the Top 100 Corporations in Houston expense $300 million annually based on the records of Employee Volunteer Service Hours. Repeat $300 million annually, with much donated to our non-profit community.
My teachable moment, in conversations with Judge Brown regarding Eviction Prevention, was the concept of Political Will. I am humbled too by the launch of The Eviction Pilot Program.
And here is hoping that Political Will could be inclusive of Caring for Offender Families as Harris County implements Misdemeanor Bail Reform as voted by the Harris County Commissioners July 30, 2019 and is pending the final agreement by the Federal Court.
Please see the August 13, 2019 Houston Chronicle: Pilot program intends to curb evictions
Morris S. Fountain, Jr., Community Builder
3 年$2.6M eviction prevention program approved for Harris County This Comment we could call, “I had a Dream”! Fast forward, I shout My Dream has Come True! A multimillion-dollar program has been approved to protect tenants from eviction in Houston amid the coronavirus pandemic. According to a news release, the program which provides an additional $2.6 million of rent relief was approved on January 26, 2021 at the Harris County Commissioners Court meeting. Apply by completing the COVID-19 event survey at?www.csd.hctx.gov?or?www.ReadyHarris.org. “Harris County continues to search out available funding to provide relief to our residents during this time when so many have had their incomes disrupted,” the Community Services Department director Adrienne Holloway said. “We must do all we can to stabilize housing which is critical to the well-being of families and to the long-term recovery of our region from COVID-19.” According to a news release, county officials estimate this funding will support as many as 304 families. The distribution of funds will be managed by the Harris County Community Services Department, which will administer the application and approval process. The City of Houston is relying on participation of Harris County property landlords in order to optimize its eviction prevention efforts. According to county officials, landlords must agree to waive late fees and not pass court fees to the tenant in order for renters to be eligible for the program.
Morris S. Fountain, Jr., Community Builder
4 年God help us! Houston residents struggle as America's evictions crisis hits home. Thank God! SPREAD THE WORD! See https://www.thn.org/2020/09/02/cdc-evictions-paused/ Sweeping new federal moratorium on evictions in effect until 12/31/2020 This rule only protects people who know about it. Please circulate this post widely. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/02/us/houston-evictions-crisis/index.html
T.J. Solomon Law Group, PLLC
5 年Please send more information about your project via email to [email protected].??
Community Health Worker at AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc.
5 年I am interested in knowing more about your project.
Great job! Since I'm in the academic community, let me know of volunteer opportunities where I may serve.? Blessings