Munonyedi Clifford
4:38:02
Good afternoon Chair Ayala and members of the general welfare community.
4:38:06
My name is Munoyeedi Clifford and I'm the attorney in charge of the citywide housing practice at the Legal Aid Society.
4:38:12
Thank you for the opportunity to testify here with you today.
4:38:15
In addition to my remarks, we will be submitting written testimony on behalf of Legal Aid covering the points I discussed.
4:38:21
I will also note that the legal services providers, many of whom are seated here, submitted joint testimony covering our concerns about the contracting issues with the city as well as concerns about the right to counsel program.
4:38:31
The Legal Aid Society is the largest and oldest provider of free legal services in New York City, offering civil, criminal, and juvenile rights representation to low income New Yorkers.
4:38:40
Our work spans housing, immigration, workers' rights, family law, public benefits, and more, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the legal protection that they need.
4:38:50
We have been a provider in New York City's Right to Counsel program since its inception in 2017.
4:38:56
This program has been critical in preventing evictions and keeping New Yorkers in their homes.
4:39:00
Yet currently, funding only covers 40% of the eligible cases, leaving thousands of vulnerable tenants without legal representation in eviction proceedings.
4:39:08
This gap undermines the very purpose of the right to counsel law.
4:39:12
Preserving essential legal we thank the council for its long standing support of civil civil legal services and criminal defense programs.
4:39:20
The Legal Aid Society is on the front lines of defending New Yorkers rights without without sustained funding, thousands could go without representation.
4:39:29
This is an especially terrible time for immigrants, many of whom are facing increased legal vulnerabilities, housing instability, and systemic barriers to justice.
4:39:38
Cutting funding now would only worsen the crisis for immigrant families and other marginalized communities.
4:39:43
We urge the city council to support parity funding to ensure sustainability of our programs.
4:39:49
Reforms that we urge the city council to support reforms to the contract registration process and payment processes to avoid delays that hinder our ability to serve our clients.
4:39:58
We will continue to update the council throughout the budget process to ensure funding meets the urgent needs of the communities we serve.
4:40:05
We ask that your leadership in preserving and we ask for your leadership in, preserving and strengthening the access to justice for all New Yorkers.
4:40:12
Finally, appreciate your time and commitment to ensuring that New York City's most vulnerable residents, including tenants and immigrants, continue to have legal protection and advocacy.
