Kansas City’s first ever “Right to Counsel” program to prevent evictions and provide free legal assistance and support to individuals and families officially started on June 1.
The Housing and Community Development Department will enter into four contracts, totaling $700,000, with legal organizations who will provide these services:
The Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom will provide one attorney and training for all attorneys involved in Right to Counsel program; Legal Aid will provide three attorneys; and University of Missouri-Kansas City Fellows program, will provide three or more attorneys.
Additionally, there will be a call navigator program, recommended by Legal Aid, Heartland Center, UMKC and United Way which will run all intake required to provide information to those Kansas Citians facing eviction in Jackson, Clay, Platte or Cass counties.
“I am proud to share today Kansas City’s Right to Counsel Program is staffed and funded, which will help ensure all who need it in Kansas City have access to housing legal assistance,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “This is another important step in our work to protect renters and help folks stay in their homes. Still, there is more work to be done. I thank all in our community who have worked with the City Council on advancing this important initiative.”
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