Help on the way for Cleveland families at risk of being evicted

Written by WKYC Staff in WKYC on 09/30/2019

Lawmakers in Cleveland are making an attempt to help families at risk of being evicted in Cleveland.

On Monday evening, Cleveland City Council passed legislation, named "The Right to Counsel," that will give free legal help to those low-income tenants with children who are facing eviction. Supporters of the legislation hope the effort will help mitigate housing instability and homelessness.

In sponsoring the legislation, Council President Kevin Kelley said, “Without knowing their legal rights as tenants and without knowing how to navigate the legal system, many low-income families are forced out of their homes. This leads to family turmoil and disruption of the children’s education.”

The United Way of Greater Cleveland will work with council to lead the new program and plans to contract with The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland to provide the necessary legal services

The program begins next July. Tenants can always seek more information by contacting United Way’s 2-1-1 HelpLink, a free and confidential 24-hour lifeline with referral specialists or the Legal Aid’s tenant hotline at 216-861-5955 (Cuyahoga County) or 440-210-4533 (Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga and Lorain Counties).

Cleveland is now the first city in Ohio, and only fourth in the country to offer such help to low-income tenants.

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