How the Right to Counsel Works, Its Impact & Outreach Materials

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How RTC Works Now: 

Pre-Covid, RTC was being phased in by zip codes; that is no longer the case. Right now, the city is assigning RTC attorneys to all cases that are moving forward in Housing Court, regardless of income, where you live or immigration status.  Because of the various eviction protections, court closures and more, most cases are on pause until the end of February. However, tenants with notices of upcoming court dates in eviction cases should reach out to get an attorney.  Tenants will also be assigned attorneys at their hearings if they appear virtually (by phone or video conference) or in person. If you have a notice of a court date or an illegal lockout:

  • Call 718-557-1379 or (212) 962-4795 from Mon-Fri, btw 9-5
  • Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline
  • Email OCJ at [email protected]. Please provide a name, telephone number, and Housing Court case index number for your eviction case (if known) in your email.

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Right to Counsel's Impact

Check out our fact sheet on Right to Counsel's success:

Here are reports by the Community Service Society Reports that also analyze RTC's effects on evictions:

 

 

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List of Tenant Organizing Groups Across NY State: English | Spanish