Treasury, HUD, AG urge right to counsel for tenants

08/27/2021, Miscellaneous, Housing - Evictions

A joint press release from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Office of the Attorney General sent to governors, mayors, and state courts urged them to take various steps in light of the invalidation of the CDC moratorium.  Here is one of the suggested steps:

 

Using ERA and American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to support the right to counsel and eviction diversion strategies. Tenants are more likely to avoid eviction and remain stably housed when they have access to legal representation. Legal counsel can also aid in the successful completion of ERA applications. We encourage state and local governments to use ERA and Fiscal Recovery Funds to launch right to counsel programs and invest in court navigators and diversion programs.