Finding Assistance

The NYC Dept. of Homeless Services has a list of organizations (in pdf format) that may be able to provide assistance for those facing housing difficulties. Further information for tenants at-risk of being evicted from their apartment can be found on the NYC Dept. of Homeless Services web site.

Assistance is also available from LawHelp NY, a web site with links to free and affordable legal aid and information about your legal rights, courts, and more in New York and elsewhere.

Additional information about finding legal help can also be found in the Legal Help section of the NYC Affordable Housing Resource Center Web site.

To Find a Lawyer

If you have a low income and cannot afford a lawyer, you may be eligible for free legal services (a free attorney). Organizations that offer help include:

The Legal Aid Society (212) 577-3300

Legal Services NYC (646) 442-3600

New York Legal Assistance Group (212) 613-5000

If you need a referral to a lawyer and you are not eligible for free legal services, contact the New York City Bar Association Legal Referral Service at (212) 626-7373.

The NYC Bar Association Legal Referral Service offers a lawyer or paralegal who will answer the phone and help you find an appropriate way to handle your legal problem.

They also offers free legal advice one evening a week on specific issues, including landlord-tenant matters, as well as a free advice hotline for low-income NYC residents. The number is (212) 626-7383.

Housing Court

The Civil Court Info Line has recorded information about the Housing Court in English and Spanish (24 hours a day) at (212) 791-6000. If you are being evicted for nonpayment of rent, you may be eligible for an emergency grant from the Human Resources Administration (HRA). There is a HRA liaison located in each borough's Housing Court. A Housing Court Counselor (Pro-Se Attorney) is available in each housing court to assist people without attorneys. The clerk's office staff can refer you to the Housing Court Counselor. Resource Centers are also available in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan courts.

The City-Wide Task Force on Housing Court has information tables in most Housing Courts, or you can call them weekdays from 2-5pm at (212) 962-4795 or the Metropolitan Council on Housing at (212) 979-0611. Also, in some of the Housing Courts there is a Resource Center where you can view a video about Housing Court procedures and get written information and forms.

Page updated 8/21/2012