New York City’s plan to guarantee representation to all families facing eviction is reflective of a movement emerging to reduce homelessness and save cities significant money. Providing legal representation costs approximately $1,500 per case compared to the cost of caring for a family that is homeless — upwards of $40,000 per year. Other cities, including Baltimore Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, are also implementing either pilot or full- fledged initiatives to provide representation to individuals facing eviction. The results are promising in that unsurprisingly tenants fare better when represented by counsel, and unlawful and unnecessary evictions –and homelessness- is averted.
Photo by BICAD MEDIA
