When facing eviction, some D.C. renters will now get free lawyers

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As evictions in the District rise, a relaunched initiative will give some low-income renters access to a lawyer and a better chance to stay in their homes.

Latricia Jones secured legal counsel for her eviction case through Legal Aid. Her lawyers produced evidence that led her landlord to drop the case. More low-income tenants facing eviction in the District will soon arrive to court with something that has been shown to keep families in their homes and, in some cases, ensure they don’t lose access to government housing assistance: a lawyer.

Even as the number of evictions in the city increased 250 percent between January 2022 and January 2023, according to the U.S. Marshals Service, the number of renters who show up to court with legal representation remains low.For residents who receive government housing assistance, having an eviction filed against them “can be devastating, if it results in an eviction and they’re not able to assert their rights,” said Vikram Swaruup, executive director of Legal Aid D.C.

, more than 300 residents were provided a lawyer to see them through eviction cases. Tenants who participated in the program were 16 times more likely to challenge an eviction and eight times less likely to face an eviction judgment, according to Legal Aid D.C.

 

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