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New study identifies need for more attorneys to represent people facing housing legal woes

Nate Morabito

May 04, 2021 |

WCNC-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy uses limited funding to provide lawyers to renters facing eviction. Preventing homelessness is more cost effective than providing services for people experiencing homelessness, and avoiding eviction prevents long-term credit problems. The attorneys provide a level of security to renters by helping them navigate the complex legal system and connecting them to other public services. Some are advocating for a "right to counsel" law, like one recently adopted in Louisville and paid for with federal pandemic funds, which guarantees free lawyers to people facing eviction.

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Pragmatic Housing Policies Considered

Jonathan L. Wharton

April 21, 2021 |

CTNewsJunkie |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Connecticut

A shortage of affordable housing options in Connecticut may be mitigated if proposals such as those in nearby states are implemented. New York and New Jersey require developers to set aside a certain percentage of new constructions for affordable housing and offer financial incentives that increase the supply of housing in neighborhoods that need them most. Vocational housing, which is income-based housing set aside specifically for public employees, allows teachers and officers to live in the neighborhood they serve. Transit-oriented development increases housing near existing transportation hubs.

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Laws We Can Actually Understand

Jemille Q. Duncan

April 20, 2021 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India

Law Rewired, run by law students and an advisory board of legal scholars, translates complex laws and landmark court decisions into plain language so people can understand them. Real-world examples, easy to read bullet-points, videos, and a glossary of legal terms make the legal explanations more widely accessible. Summaries also explain why a law was enacted, when it can be applied, and any amendments that were added to it. The materials are available for free online and via social media and the organization answers 10 to 25 questions from readers every month about a variety of legal issues.

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How Expanding Vouchers Could Improve Housing Stability

Jared Brey

April 20, 2021 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Housing vouchers have proven to be the most effective intervention to address housing instability in America. The vouchers provide a subsidy that covers the difference between rent and what families can afford to pay. Labeling it as one of the most effective federal housing policies, advocates are pushing for policies that expand the voucher rental assistance.

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The Price Of Affordable Housing In Connecticut

Tom Kuser

April 19, 2021 |

WSHU Public Radio |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Connecticut

Innovative housing solutions in nearby states may help alleviate the lack of affordable housing in Connecticut. Vocational housing in New Jersey has enabled teachers and police officers to live in the areas they serve. Across the Northeast, housing has been built near transportation hubs in a policy known as transit-oriented development. Financial incentives for developers have also created housing in neighborhoods that need it most and mandatory quotas for every new construction project ensure a steady supply of new affordable housing.

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As eviction deadline looms, some cities provide free attorneys to renters

Nate Morabito

March 26, 2021 |

WCNC-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

Right to Counsel laws ensure legal representation for tenants facing eviction in Ohio and New York. Results from various cities show that free legal aid results in lower eviction rates. Eviction rates in North Carolina are on the rise and advocates say the state needs to implement Right to Counsel laws.

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New legal clinic concentrates on cases of women languishing in the system for crimes against alleged abusers

Annie Sweeney

March 16, 2021 |

Chicago Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Illinois

The Women and Survivors Project provides legal representation to women imprisoned for crimes that stemmed from histories of abuse. Nearly all incarcerated women have suffered violent abuse. Many end up punished for fighting back or when their abuser forces them to participate in his crimes, but their defenses often get overlooked in court. The project so far has helped free five women by getting judges or parole officials to reconsider their cases, including one woman convicted of first-degree murder. It has dozens more cases in the pipeline.

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‘I thought I was gonna die in prison.' How COVID is opening NC prison gates.

Virginia Bridges

March 12, 2021 |

The Charlotte Observer |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, North Carolina

Three incarcerated people and a coalition of social justice groups sued North Carolina over its prison COVID-19 policies, winning a settlement that is accelerating releases from prison that began at the start of the pandemic. The state's prison population is already 17% lower than it was before the pandemic. Under the settlement, 3,500 more people will be granted early releases, which have begun to occur, under new criteria that changed prison rules to recognize the urgency of getting people away from a virus breeding ground.

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House Rules

Leah Cantor

March 03, 2021 |

Santa Fe Reporter |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico

A shortage of available affordable housing in Santa Fe, New Mexico was exacerbated by inclusionary zoning laws that discouraged real estate development. Restrictions on new rental properties drastically increased rents due to a dearth of available housing and supply has increased as the law was reversed.

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The Streets Are My Home: Evictions, Homelessness and COVID

Kolby Webster Arielle Davis

March 02, 2021 |

KOSU |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Restore Hope Ministries worked to prevent homelessness and evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic by using private donations, foundation grants, and CARES Act funds to provide rental assistance to 1,422 households. Each household received up to several months of rent, totaling $3.5 million in assistance, and targeting populations and neighborhoods most vulnerable to eviction and homelessness. The Tulsa Day Center also pivoted due to the pandemic and sheltered people identified as most vulnerable in place day and night, while working with the city and county to open up and run an overflow shelter.

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