AGENCY TESTIMONY
Legal services and support for tenants facing eviction
0:21:37
·
69 sec
The city provides various legal services and support programs for tenants facing eviction or harassment. These initiatives aim to protect tenants' rights and prevent unlawful evictions.
- Universal Access to Legal Services (Right to Counsel) law provides free legal services to residents facing eviction in housing court or NYCHA proceedings
- The Anti-Harassment Tenant Protection Program (AHTP) offers legal services for pre-litigation resolution and court representation
- AHTP also provides tenant education and outreach regarding rights and protections
- Additional resources include the tenant helpline and various rental assistance programs to stabilize households at risk of eviction
AnnMarie Santiago
0:21:37
Specifically related to evictions, the city council passed universal access to legal services right to counsel law in 2017.
0:21:45
Through universal access, the city provides free legal services to thousands of residents facing eviction in housing court or NYCHA, NYCHA termination of tenancy proceedings citywide regardless of immigration status every year.
0:22:00
Tenants facing eviction may qualify for free legal advice or representation depending on income.
0:22:06
The city also funds the Anti Harassment Tenant Protection Program, or AHTP.
0:22:12
AHTP provides legal services to achieve pre litigation resolution and, if necessary, representation in court for tenants facing harassment, disrepair, illegal lockouts, and eviction.
0:22:24
AHTP also provides tenant education and outreach regarding tenants' rights and protections.
0:22:26
Additional resources include the tenant helpline, which can which can the and the city uses various rental assistance programs to stabilize households at risk of eviction.
