Justice in Housing Court

February 12, 2017, New York, NY― In an unprecedented step forward for our civil justice system, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council today announced that the City will provide universal access to legal representation in Housing Court for all individuals and families with incomes under $50,000 (a little more than 200% of the federal poverty level for a family of four). For the first time anywhere in the United States, tenants will get the legal help they need to keep their homes. The new policy will be life changing for thousands of New York City residents who will no longer need to live in fear of the catastrophic impact of eviction on their health, education, safety, and general welfare.

The right to counsel in housing court has been decades in the making, and has required vision, determination, organizing, and a progressive city government. Thanks are due to the Mayor, the City Council, the Right to Counsel Coalition, and to our entire team of housing advocates and supporters, who in our past year of expansion have helped to reduce New York City’s eviction rate by 24% and proved that legal representation can make all the difference between stable housing and homelessness.

These days, when much of the news is grim for our clients, this is a historic moment that we all should celebrate.