Guilford County commissioners are set to approve a one-month extension of the county’s contract with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Center for Housing and Community Studies at their Thursday, Jan. 15 meeting in order to allow the full use of remaining federal pandemic relief funds without committing any new local dollars.

The action will amend the existing contract for the county’s Eviction Mediation and Landlord Outreach Program – known locally as the TEAM Clinic – extending the expiration date from December 31, 2025, to January 31, 2026.

County staff say the extension is necessary to fully expend American Rescue Plan Act funds that would otherwise be left unused due to federal restrictions.

Guilford County has partnered with UNC-Greensboro’s Center for Housing and Community Studies since July 2021 to operate the TEAM Clinic, which provides courthouse-based eviction mediation, landlord outreach and “housing stability services” in Greensboro and High Point.

The program is designed to help tenants and landlords resolve disputes before they result in eviction judgments, often through mediation or referrals to rental assistance and legal resources.

As part of that program, UNC-G subcontracts with Legal Aid of North Carolina to provide legal representation for individuals facing eviction in small claims court. That legal component has been a key part of the program’s structure, particularly during and after the pandemic when eviction filings surged across North Carolina.

The TEAM Clinic was originally funded with Emergency Rental Assistance funds, which were later replaced with ARPA funding as federal relief programs evolved. According to county documents, the most recent ARPA contract term began July 1, 2024, and was scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2025.

In mid-December, staff from the county and UNC-G reviewed projected expenses through the end of the year and determined that as much as $65,000 in ARPA funds could remain unspent at the end of the contract term.

The exact amount will depend on final invoices and expenses received in mid to late January.

Because of ARPA program rules, those funds can’t simply be shifted to a different county program or purpose. If they aren’t spent on allowable expenses within the contract, they must remain unused.

To avoid that outcome, county staff are recommending the short extension of the contract through Jan. 31, 2026. The additional month will give UNC-G time to complete eligible work and draw down the remaining ARPA balance.

In addition to extending the term, UNC-G has requested adjustments within the existing contract budget to better reflect actual costs. County staff note that those changes may include shifting funds between budget line items – such as moving money from salary expenses to contractual services – in order to allow the center to continue its subcontract with Legal Aid of North Carolina.

No increase to the overall contract amount is proposed, and the county is not being asked to add any new funding. County staff emphasized that no additional county funds are required for the amendment.

Looking ahead, county documents indicate that once ARPA funds are fully expended, local funds will be used to support the program for the January through June 2026 period. The proposed one-month extension is intended solely to close out the federal funding in compliance with ARPA rules.

The agenda item also updates contract language to clarify that all allowable costs must first be charged to and paid from the funds authorized under the contract before any other county funds can be used.

The contract amendment lists Natalie Craver, assistant county manager for Successful People and director of Health and Human Services, as the responsible county official. The contract is administered through the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health.

Since its launch in 2021, the TEAM Clinic has operated out of small claims court locations, providing information to both tenants and landlords about mediation options, legal rights and available assistance. Program materials describe the goal as preventing evictions where possible by encouraging communication and negotiated resolutions rather than default judgments.

County officials have not indicated any change to the scope of services as part of the amendment to be adopted Thursday night. The extension is strictly administrative, aimed at ensuring that previously approved federal funds are fully and properly used.

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