To address preventable evictions, the Lucas County commissioners have entered into a memorandum of understanding with the county Homelessness Board.
At the April 26 meeting, the commissioners established a multiple agency consortium designed to avert evictions in the county.
Board president Gary Byers said they “are in the midst of an eviction crisis with the Toledo Municipal Court alone processing nearly 6,000 evictions annually.”
In their resolution, the commissioners wrote that “evictions bring harm to families that can follow them throughout their lives, negatively impacting credit, employment opportunities and long-term stability for the entire household.”
They noted that housing stability is a key component of financial security for families and in the economic and public health interest of the county because it is both “extremely disruptive for families and much more resource-intensive for communities than keeping people in their homes.”
The county homelessness board will serve as the lead agency, overseeing homelessness prevention, connecting residents in need with the resources necessary to maintain stable housing.
Other area organizations such as Legal Aid of Western Ohio and the Fair Housing Center will provide services to help keep people in their homes.
“Several additional organizations also will play a critical role in eviction prevention,” Mr. Byers said.
Other Business
In other business, the commissioners:
•Entered into a $1.5 million grant agreement with the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership to utilize state and local fiscal recovery funds to develop the Trailside Lofts housing complex.
•Approved an agreement with the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo for the provision of the young artists at work program at a cost of $56,000. The agreement runs from April 1 to September 30.
•Amended a memorandum of understanding with the Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio to disburse CDBG funds for the purpose of providing meals to senior citizens in the county. The agreement runs through December 31, 2022 at a cost not to exceed $234,800.
•Approved cyber liability coverage with Hylant Group for $40,430. The one year contract runs through May 1, 2023.
•Purchased a parcel at Sylvania Avenue and Kilburn Road from Brett L. Stansley at a cost of $6,321.
•Entered into agreements with Pathway Inc. for the summer youth employment program and J. Lawler Consulting LLC for process improvement and leadership development consulting services at a cost of $9,500 each.
•Amended an agreement with Toledo for electronic monitoring services at a cost of $14 per day for up to 40 satellite monitor units and 20 transdermal alcohol detectors.
•Reappointed W. David Arnold, Lisa Banks, the Reverend Otis Gordon and Major Tricia White to the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board for four-year terms expiring, June 30, 2026
•Accepted a grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Services for $34,848.
~Jane Maiolo
