Posted December 5, 20238:46 pm
By Cody Thompson
CLEVELAND — A press release from the Rocket Community Fund announced, in a partnership with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, the creation of the Cleveland Eviction Defense Fund with a $1.25 million investment.
“This strategic partnership combats housing instability and displacement by providing comprehensive legal representation, advocacy and emergency rental assistance to Cleveland residents,” the release states.
The release states that the creation of this will bolster other efforts to increase legal representation in the area. It references the city passing legislation in 2019 that made “access to legal representation in eviction cases a right for low-income families renting in Cleveland” and the 2020 Right to Counsel program created by United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.
“At the Rocket Community Fund, we believe in the transformative power of stable housing, which is a cornerstone for success in all aspects of life,” said Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Rocket Community Fund, in the release. “We are inspired by the success of Cleveland’s Right to Counsel program and are proud to strengthen it with the Cleveland Eviction Defense Fund.”
The organization will continue to work with the city and county “to identify further opportunities for support aimed toward the long-term sustainability of the program.”
Mayor Justin Bibb, according to the release, spoke about the announcement at an event at the Cleveland Foundation.
“Many Cleveland residents who are at risk of eviction do not attend their eviction hearings,” Bibb said in the release. “This is just one example that highlights the critical need for education and outreach programs to raise awareness and aid to those facing eviction. I applaud the Rocket Community Fund and the Legal Aid Society for their unwavering dedication to supporting the residents of Cleveland.”
Source: Spectrum News 1 - Cleveland organizations create eviction defense fund