DATE: October 19, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Three-Year Agreement with Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $1,319,598 for Foreclosure Prevention Services
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to enter into and execute a three-year professional services agreement with Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) in an amount not-to-exceed $1,319,598 for Foreclosure Prevention Services.
SUMMARY
On December 8, 2020, the Council adopted a resolution authorizing $319,598 of emergency Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funds for a Foreclosure Prevention Program. Additionally, the Council also adopted a resolution on July 13, 2021, approving the Hayward Federal Stimulus Expenditure Plan, providing an additional $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funding to a Foreclosure Prevention Program. Including both the CDBG-CV and ARPA funds approved by the City Council, the Foreclosure Prevention Program has a total program budget of $1,319,598.
On August 19, 2021, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Foreclosure Prevention Program Services Provider and received one proposal from Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA), a not-for-profit legal service and advocacy organization with experience providing comparable homeowner preservation services to neighboring jurisdictions. The Foreclosure Prevention Program will provide legal advice, negotiation, and advocacy to address mortgage default and delinquency, and a limited financial assistance component in the form of a no interest loan to eligible Hayward homeowners who can demonstrate that they are at risk of foreclosure due to financial hardship related to COVID-19. Based on HERA’s proposal and experience, the Foreclosure Prevention program will primarily focus on resolution of mortgage default and delinquency through negotiation and advocacy with servicers and will refer eligible homeowners to the federally funded, State of California Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) to address pandemic related financial hardship. On a limited basis, Program funds will be used for direct assistance loans, if the additional assistance can stabilize housing costs and prevent foreclosure. Based on their proposal, expertise, and experience in legal advocacy related to homeownership preservation, staff recommends entering into a professional services contract with HERA to provide services under the City of Hayward Foreclosure Prevention Program.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution