Mayor Wu announces Access to Counsel pilot program to help families facing eviction

Wilson Smith

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Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the Access to Counsel Pilot Program, a new initiative to support families with school-aged children facing eviction. The program, led by the Office of Housing Stability (OHS) in partnership with Boston Public Schools (BPS) and local legal aid organizations, provides free legal representation to eligible families needing help preventing housing displacement.

“The upheaval and uncertainty that comes with eviction can disrupt every aspect of a family’s life, especially for children who need stability to succeed in school. This program is about helping families get the support they need to stay in their homes and stay connected to their communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Housing stability is essential for our families, schools, and neighborhoods. We are proud to take this step forward to support our most vulnerable residents and explore solutions that work for our entire city.”

The Access to Counsel program works through Boston Public Schools’ Early Homelessness Intervention Program (EHIP), in partnership with FamilyAid Boston, which serves as the central hub for connecting families to legal assistance and other critical resources to help mitigate eviction. School homelessness liaisons will identify families at risk of eviction, and FamilyAid Boston will coordinate with Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) to support families in navigating the eviction process and addressing related needs. For more information regarding GBLS services and eligibility for free, full legal representation, please visit GBLS’s website.

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