Two key ways the City can prevent evictions are by ensuring tenants have legal representation in housing court and by providing financial support to individuals or families facing economic hardships.
This chart shows the portion of housing court cases filed against tenants for which the tenant has legal representation.
This chart counts cases for which there have been at least two appearances and where the tenant has appeared in court. Tenants are counted as represented if they have counsel at any appearance. Cases may continue for months or years; the monthly rate is for cases first filed within that month.
Rate of Representation
Despite the passage of Local Law 136 in 2017 and Local Law 54 in 2021, which established a universal right to counsel for low-income renters across the five boroughs, many eligible tenants still appear in court without a lawyer.
Tenants who have legal counsel in housing court are much more successful in fighting eviction and resolving housing violations. The City guaranteed counsel for tenants facing eviction who whose household annual income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines ($49,720 for a family of three in 2023) or anyone 65 or older. But the City has not adequately resourced this program and legal service providers cannot keep up with the number of tenants facing eviction.
This chart shows total Homebase enrollments per month.
Homebase Enrollments
Programs providing financial supports have not expanded to meet the need.
Homebase provides New Yorkers experiencing housing instability with various homeless prevention services and aftercare services to families and individuals exiting NYC DHS shelter to permanent housing.