The Tenant Assistance Project (TAP) began in April 2020 to support unrepresented tenants facing eviction from their homes. In Lancaster County, TAP functions as a partnership between the Housing Justice Program and the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project. The Tenant Assistance Project ensures that all tenants earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income have access to free, limited scope legal representation and social services support at the Lancaster County Courthouse on the day of their eviction hearing.
Prior to the Tenant Assistance Project, the vast majority of tenants would arrive at court unrepresented, which often resulted in an eviction judgment being entered against them that very same day. Now, when tenants arrive for an eviction hearing, they are greeted by a team of people ready to help and, in nearly all cases, the tenants TAP assists avoid immediate eviction. Avoiding immediate eviction provides vulnerable families crucial time to connect with existing resources, to get caught up on rent, or to safely transition to replacement housing, benefitting not only the tenants served, but the entire community.
Volunteer Opportunities
All students at the University of Nebraska College of Law can volunteer with the Tenant Assistance Project to help prevent evictions in Lancaster County. Time spent volunteering with TAP counts toward Nebraska Law’s Pro Bono Initiative.
THE TENANT ASSISTANCE PROJECT IS ALWAYS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
Performing Outreach: Outreach volunteers visit the homes of tenants who have eviction hearings scheduled for the following week to provide them with a pre-made bag of information regarding the eviction process and relevant resources. This ensures tenants are aware they have an upcoming eviction hearing, and that there is help available to them at court.
Preparing Eviction Defense Packets: Volunteers prepare Eviction Defense Packets (EDPs) in advance for each scheduled eviction hearing. EDPs are made available to the volunteer attorneys and senior certified law students assisting tenants at the courthouse, and provide them with an overview of the case, including any possible procedural defenses identified within the pleadings.
Assisting at the Courthouse: Courthouse volunteers provide crucial support on the day of eviction hearings, which are scheduled Monday through Thursday mornings at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30 most weeks. These volunteers greet tenants outside of eviction court, help conduct intakes, and observe court proceedings to record case outcomes.
Benefits of Volunteering with the Tenant Assistance Project:
- Obtaining hands-on legal experience through scrutinizing and analyzing pleadings and/or observing court proceedings.
- Making connections with practicing attorneys and legal professionals in the Lincoln community.
- Meeting other law students who are passionate about similar issues.
- Utilizing your legal training to help people within the local community in tangible ways.
- Completing hours toward a Pro Bono Certificate through Nebraska Law's Pro Bono Initiative.
