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Exhibit "A" <br /> Scope of Services, Time of Performance, Budget, <br /> Payment, Notices, and Representatives <br /> I. Scope of Service <br /> A. Activities/Project Description <br /> The Subgrantee will be responsible for administering the Housing Justice Project program in a <br /> manner satisfactory to the City and consistent with any standards required as a condition of <br /> _ providing these funds. Such program will include the following activities eligible under the Community <br /> Development Block Grant Program: <br /> Program Delivery <br /> Activity: <br /> [Complete description of activity to be undertaken including what projects,products or services are to be performed, <br /> where they are to be provided, for whom they are to be provided, how they are to be provided] <br /> Activity to be Undertaken and Program Services: SCLS stands in the unique position of being an <br /> organization that encounters Snohomish County residents at the brink of homelessness at eviction <br /> hearings at Snohomish County Superior Court. No other agency in Everett, or even Snohomish <br /> County, provides this important service. Our Housing Justice Project (HJP) functions as a <br /> homelessness prevention program by providing legal services to low income tenants at eviction <br /> hearings. We are often the only organization at this critical court juncture that can literally prevent a <br /> resident from becoming homeless. Most of the tenants do not realize they will be able to receive free <br /> legal representation at their hearings and are relieved to have attorneys who will listen and advise. <br /> The HJP attorney will attempt to negotiate with the landlord or landlord's attorney to see if a <br /> settlement can be reached before the court calls the case for hearing. If a case is not settled, HJP <br /> attorneys may represent tenants at their hearings, often arguing defenses that pertain to procedural <br /> or jurisdictional requirements and periodically getting these cases dismissed outright. Where there is <br /> no legal defense to prevent eviction being ordered, the HJP attorney is usually able to negotiate <br /> additional time for the tenant to remain in the home, which provides more time to relocate and <br /> reduces the likelihood the tenant will experience even temporary homelessness. <br /> Goals and Objectives: <br /> (a) HJP attorneys assess whether the eviction is wrongful (based on discrimination, issues of <br /> habitability, or refusal to provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities) or procedurally flawed. <br /> (b) Based on their assessment, HJP attorneys may represent these tenants in court, arguing <br /> that the case should be dismissed or set for trial to resolve the issues. Even in cases where the <br /> eviction is procedurally correct and the tenant has no defenses, HJP attorneys are trained to <br /> negotiate with landlords or their attorneys for additional move-out time to ensure that tenants have <br /> the opportunity to secure alternative housing prior to the physical eviction. <br /> (c) HJP attorneys negotiate settlements which typically involve a reduction in the monetary <br /> judgment levied against the tenant leaving more funds to relocate. Additional time and additional <br /> funds can make the difference between a tenant finding housing and having time to move into this <br /> A-1 <br />