New Orleans joins ranks of cities with tenant right to counsel

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05/06/2022, Legislation, Housing - Evictions

In May 2022, the New Orleans City Council unanimously approved an ordinance (which was slightly amended) that provides counsel as a matter of right to all tenants (regardless of income) facing eviction or termination of a housing subsidy, as well as for any proceedings seeking injunctive relief related to an illegal eviction and some appeals.  The Council had previously allocated $2 million in initial funding.  According to a press release from the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, New Orleans is already seeing a rate of evictions that exceeds pre-pandemic levels.  

 

NOLA dot com covered the passage.

Appointment of Counsel: categorical Qualified: yes

 

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The NCCRC supported the effort through testimony and behind-the-scenes work.