Finding Assistance
LawHelp.org
(accessible through this
NYC website) lists a wide range of organizations that may be able
to provide assistance for those facing housing difficulties.
To
Find a Lawyer:
If
you have a low income and cannot afford a lawyer, you may be eligible
for free legal services (a free attorney). To get the address of the
office that services your neighborhood, contact:
|
The
Legal Aid Society
|
Legal Services of
New York City
|
|
(212)
577-3300
|
(212)
431-7200
|
If
you need a referral to a lawyer and you are not eligible for free legal
services, contact:
The
Bar Association of the City of New York's
Lawyer
Referal Information Service
(212)
626-7373
They
will refer you to a lawyer who will charge a $35.00 consultation fee for
the first half-hour. If you decide to hire the lawyer after this consultation,
you and the lawyer will work out the fee that you will pay.
The Bar Association Legal Referral Service also offers free legal advice
one evening a week in 5 areas, including landlord-tenant matters. An appointment
must be made beforehand.
Housing
Court
The
Civil Court Info Line has recorded information about the Housing Court
in English and Spanish (24 hours a day) at (212) 791-6000. If you are being
evicted for nonpayment of rent, you may be eligible for an emergency grant
from the Human Resources Administration (HRA). There is a HRA liaison located
in each borough's Housing Court. A Housing Court Counselor (Pro-Se Attorney)
is available in each housing court to assist people without attorneys.
The clerk's office staff can refer you to the Housing Court Counselor.
Resource Centers are also available in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and
Manhattan courts.
The
City-Wide Task Force on Housing Court has information tables in most Housing
Courts, or you can call them weekdays from 2-5pm at (212) 962-4795 or the
Metropolitan Council on Housing at (212) 979-0611. Also, in some of the
Housing Courts there is a Resource Center where you can view a video about
Housing Court procedures and get written information and forms.
