Attorney General Letitia James Announces Grantees for COVID-19 Tenant Legal Assistance Initative

"NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the recipients of the COVID-19 Tenant Legal Assistance Initiative grants, a program that was launched earlier this year to support housing during COVID-19. The six grantees will develop and manage regional volunteer attorney programs across the state to provide support for tenants facing eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to providing legal support, as part of the program, these organizations will work together to identify systemic housing issues that New Yorkers outside of New York City face.

“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more New Yorkers than ever are facing tough times and the threat of losing their homes,” said Attorney General James. “Too many New Yorkers don’t have access to the legal representation and support needed to protect themselves from eviction, especially when they are already feeling the financial strains of this crisis. Every New Yorker deserves access to a safe and decent home, and my office will continue our efforts to protect that basic right.”

-Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties)

-Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York (Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Otsego Counties)

-Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie, Essex, Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, and Hamilton Counties)

-Legal Assistance of Western New York (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates Counties)

-Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester Counties)

-Nassau Suffolk Law Services (Nassau and Suffolk Counties)

“When the eviction courts fully re-open, we anticipate an overwhelming flood of eviction filings and a potential public health crisis,” said Robert Elardo, executive director, Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. “This proactive funding will ensure that tenants' interests are represented and homelessness is avoided where possible. We are very grateful to Attorney General Letitia James for providing this funding to help tenants in Western New York.”.."

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