DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Legal Services for Low Income San Antonio Residents
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of three legal services contracts for low income San Antonio residents as follows:
1) American Gateways in partnership with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in the amount of $100,000;
2) Catholic Charities in the amount of $75,000; and
3) Refugee & Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) in the amount of $75,000.
Each contract is for a period of one year, with 2 one-year renewal options subject to funding availability and contractor's performance. The annual total amount for all contracts is $250,000 funded by the City's General Fund in the amount of $150,000 and a grant from the Vera Institute of Justice in the amount of $100,000.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On March 8, 2017 at the "B" Session presentation pertaining to the City's First Quarter financial report; Councilman Rey Salda?a requested alternatives to provide education and legal representation to San Antonio immigrant families.
At the May 10th "B" Session, the City Council was presented with the 2nd Quarter Financial Report and recommendations for the FY 2017 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment. Included in this presentation was the proposed allocation of $150,000 from the general fund budget to provide legal services to low-income residents. These legal services will include education seminars, counseling and legal representation on a variety of issues including veteran issues, landlord-tenant, identification recovery for homeless, immigration, and simple wills. City Council was also briefed on the option of entering into a partnership with St. Mary's University to provide these legal services or issue a request for proposal (RFP). Based on direction from the City Council, a request for proposal was released on May 26th and closed on June 30th to provide entities such as Catholic Char...
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