The Housing Justice Clinic began in August 2022, growing out of the Civil Clinic’s involvement in assisting vulnerable tenants with housing-related legal issues. Students enrolled in the Housing Justice Clinic provide limited scope legal representation to low- to moderate-income tenants who are facing eviction through the Tenant Assistance Project in Lancaster County. This work includes analyzing pleadings, interviewing and counseling clients, negotiating with opposing counsel, and gaining hands-on courtroom experience under the guidance and supervision of the Housing Justice Clinic Director, Rachel Tomlinson Dick, and with support from the Housing Justice Program Resource Navigator and licensed social worker, Kaitlyn Evans.
The Housing Justice Clinic provides students with holistic training and mentorship, ensuring they are not only well-versed in the black-letter law and relevant practice skills, but also in implementing trauma-informed approaches and a systems-level perspective in their work.