Kia Franklin

If you’re in NYC…TODAY at NOON

I hope you’re on the way to the RALLY at CITY HALL at NOON to urge the city to establish a right to counsel for low-income seniors in housing court. I am.

The NYC Coalition for a Right to Counsel for Senior Citizens is asking the public to show up in large numbers. From the City-wide Taskforce on housing Court:

Every year, more than 300,000 petitions are filed in the New York City Housing Court, resulting in the eviction of 25,000 households. Over three-quarters of seniors facing eviction have an annual income less then $25,000 per year, making it virtually impossible for them to afford to hire a private attorney. Senior Citizens are also losing their homes and equity in increasing numbers as the result of foreclosure. The existing legal services and legal aid programs lack the resources to meet the overwhelming need. The result? The vast majority of senior citizens are forced to navigate court alone, without an attorney.

For more information on the coaltion’s efforts click here, or click here for the rally flyer.

For more information on the effort to establish a right to counsel in housing court, see here.

For information on the broader effort to establish a right to counsel in important civil matters, see here.

Posted at 11:36 AM, Nov 15, 2007 in Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)