9:30-9:35 | Welcome

9:35-9:50 | Remarks from Sponsors

Deborah Taylor Tate

Director, TN Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts

Clarence H. Carter

Commissioner, TN Department of Human Services

Ralph Perrey

Executive Director, TN Housing Development Agency

9:50-10:35 | COVID-19 Rent Relief

Panelists:

Cynthia Peraza

Director of Community Programs, TN Housing Development Agency

Bill Lord

Assistant Director of Community Programs, TN Housing Development Agency

Topics Covered:

· Summary of the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program and requirements;

· Services to help people navigate the platforms;

· Common points of friction; and,

· Demo of COVID-19 Rent Relief portal.

10:35-10:50 | TN Department of Human Services Evictions Resources

Presenters:

Michelle Joyner

Policy & Research Coordinator, TN Department of Human Services

Charles Bryson

Assistant Commissioner, Family Assistance & Child Support, TN Department of Human Services

10:50-11:00 | Break | 10 Min

11:00-11:30 | Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities

Presenters:

Jennifer Prusak

Associate Clinical Professor of Law, Director, Housing Law Clinic, Vanderbilt Law School

Ann Pruitt

Executive Director, TN Alliance for Legal Services

Topics Covered:

· Overviews of rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords;

· Introduction to Renter Defender chat bot; and,

· Legal Advice Access for Landlords and Tenants Through 1-844-Help4TN.

11:30-11:40 | Introduction to Alternatives to Going to Court

Presenter:

Stephen L. Shields

Attorney at Law and Rule 31 Mediator, Jackson, Shields, Yeiser, Holt, Owen & Bryant

Topics Covered

· Mediation;

· Settlement Agreements; and,

· ADRPlan.

Note: Participants interested in this topic will be able to participate in a breakout session on this topic later in the program.

11:40-11:50 | Break | 10 Min - Grab Lunch for Next Session

11:50-12:45 | Focus on Innovative Programs

Panelists:

Judge Rachel L. Bell

Presiding Judge of the L.E.G.A.C.Y. Housing Resource Diversionary Court, G. S. Court, Davidson County, Division VIII (8)

Dr. Cynthia Croom

Executive Director, Metro Action Commission / HOPE Program

Danny Schaffzin

Director, Neighborhood Preservation Clinic and Associate Professor of Law, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law

Katy Ramsey Mason

Director, Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law

Description:

· Overview of rental relief programs and court involvement in these communities; and,

· Facilitated Q&A on friction points experienced, how those were overcome, how programs conduct outreach to stakeholders, and other items

12:45-12:50 | Break

12:50-1:00 | Housing Crisis Call to Action | Closing Plenary

1:00-1:30 | Break-Out Sessions

Description:

Participants will be able to choose which break-out session they wish to attend. The “official” break-out room discussion will end at 1:30 PM. Groups that wish to continue with their discussions will be able to do so either in their break-out room or by joining the main Zoom room. All Zoom rooms will close at 2 PM Central.

Break-out Topics:

Rental Assistance & Resources – Davidson County

Rental Assistance & Resources – Shelby County

Rental Assistance & Resources – Knox County

Rental Assistance & Resources – Rural and Suburban Areas

Communication, Outreach, and Education

Court Process & Alternatives to Court

Legal Help