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.
Mission Statement
The Housing Justice Clinic Strives to
Promote and further access to justice.
Take a holistic, person-centered approach to legal advocacy.
Work in solidarity with our clients and community.
Develop critical thinking and transformative empathy.
Act with integrity and grace.
2024 Eviction Court Outcomes
SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS
Total number of tenants represented by the Housing Justice Clinic Through the Tenant Assistance Project:
471
Total number of tenants receiving socail services from the housing justice clinic resource navigator:
673
Percentage of cases dismissed or that should be dismissed:
81%
Average number of days for tenants to move stipulated to in settlement agreements:
19
Percentage of cases in which tenants were ultimately evicted:
9.6%
Average rating tenants gave the legal representation provided by the Housing Justice Clinic on a scale from 1 to 10:
9.7
