“You have the right to an attorney” – the Miranda right promising legal aid: everyone is familiar with it thanks to civics classes and television crime shows. However, Miranda rights only apply in serious criminal cases. There is no such constitutional right to legal representation in housing cases.
Housing is a basic human need. In Cleveland, more than 10,000 evictions are filed annually. 90% of landlords are represented by an attorney, and only 1% of tenants are represented by an attorney.
A lack of civil counsel in housing matters cripples Cleveland’s ability to tackle other issues of multi-generational poverty. If children do not have a stable home, all other investments in education, health and economic stability cannot succeed.
For 2018-19, CATA President Chris Patno is leading a partnership with Legal Aid to help create a "right to counsel" in Cleveland Housing Court.