Title
Title
Equal Access Fund | Distribution of New Funding for Housing and Consumer Debt Issues (Action Required)
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Summary
Summary
The Budget Act of 2022 (Assem. Bill 178 (Ting); Stats. 2022, ch. 45) includes two new allocations to the Equal Access Fund for distribution to legal services providers and support centers to provide civil legal services for indigent persons. One allocation is for $15 million for services related to consumer debt matters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the other is for $30 million for legal services related to housing issues. The Legal Services Trust Fund Commission requests approval of the distribution of those funds, less administrative costs, through a competitive grant process as set forth in the Budget Act.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
The Legal Services Trust Fund Commission recommends that the Judicial Council, effective September 20, 2022:
1. Approve the distribution of $15 million of Equal Access funds to the State Bar for distribution to eligible legal services agencies to provide assistance with consumer debt matters for FY 2022-23 according to the terms of the Budget Act; and
2. Approve the distribution of $30 million of Equal Access funds to the State Bar for distribution to eligible legal services agencies to provide assistance with housing-related matters according to the terms of the Budget Act.