Major developments

In 2024, Nebraska enacted a right to appointed counsel for public housing residents in certain cities for administrative hearings & evictions.

As the Fair Housing Act celebrates its 56th anniversary, we at the NCCRC take a moment to acknowledge its critical role in housing justice.

An appellate court reversed termination of a mother's parental rights where the trial court allowed her attorney to withdraw the day of trial.

There is a right to counsel for respondents in civil commitment proceedings, including for juveniles and developmentally disabled persons.

The court may appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem for a minor in a private custody dispute arising in a divorce.

A lawsuit by the NYCLU challenging the failure of NY courts to determine whether foreclosed homeowners should be appointed counsel has settled.

A new policy brief explores how to advance both racial and health justice through a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

In April 2021, Washington State became the first state with a statewide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

NYC is the first jurisdiction in the country to establish a right to counsel for low-income tenants in eviction cases, and is looking to expand.

Our Coordinator responds to a piece in the LA Times by a RAND economist attacking the idea of a tenant right to counsel.

A statewide bill in NY would provide a right to counsel for both detained and non-detained immigrants in removal proceedings.

A bill guarantees counsel to Cleveland families with children facing eviction who are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.

A bill would've provided a right to counsel to persons in child abuse registry matters, but the provision was removed.

The MO legislature is considering several bills that would change a child's right to an attorney GAL to the right to client-directed counsel.

Two 2024 bills would prohibit the court form assessing costs for minor's representation against minor or their parents.

In May, Maryland became the second state to provide a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing evictoin.

In May 2021, Connecticut became the third state to enact a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing eviction.

A report examining Chattaooga's Eviction Prevention Initiative found that tenant representation improved outcomes in a variety of ways.

The Indiana legislature has introduced several bills that would reform the law around the right to counsel for children in abuse matters.

A bill introduced in 2024 would create a task force to study the impact of lack of counsel on domestic violence matters.

The bill would provide criminal defendants who are represented by appointed counsel with the right to counsel in any related forfeiture case.

In May 2022, Detroit became the latest city to enact a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

Tulsa and Oklahoma City are exploring a potential right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

Kansas City has enacted an ordinance guaranteeing counsel for all tenants facing eviction regardless of income.

There is a right to client-directed counsel in guardianship establishment, modification, and termination proceedings, regardless of ability to pay.

The Philadelphia City Council has enacted a right to counsel for tenants.

The D.C. Council appropriated $4.5 million for housing eviction defense with an eye towards a right to counsel in housing cases.

An increasing number of legal services programs have tapped a number of different federal funding pots to expand tenant representation.

A project provides all tenants counsel in certain Houston housing courts.

The 2022 World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index ranked the U.S. 116th in the world on access to civil justice.