One of ERLS’s priority areas is housing, including evictions, repairs, and non-renewal of leases. Many tenants do not know their rights when dealing with landlords or court issues related to housing. Sometimes tenants must attend court without legal representation during eviction proceedings or administrative hearing. East River Legal Services is here to assist with evictions, repairs, non-renewal of lease, and termination of lease.

ERLS has three types of non-legal advocates that provide unique advice, support, and services to clients.

Housing Retention Specialist (HRS): The Housing Retention Specialist (HRS) is a non-legal advocate that assists with small housing situations before they lead to consequential ones. The HRS prevents evictions by assisting landlords and tenants to resolve conflicts before housing is threatened. Some of the services they can provide include assessing client needs, developing safety plans, connecting clients with existing community resources, assisting with housing and emergency rental assistance, and providing education and emotional support, when needed.

Client Advocate: The Client Advocate is a non-legal advocate that assists clients with their social and emotional needs while they are working with the legal department. They prioritize victims of crime and families with children in the household. Some of the services they can provide include assessing client needs, developing safety plans, connecting clients with existing community resources, assisting with housing and emergency rental assistance, and providing education and emotional support, when needed.

Street Outreach Paralegal: This program is the newest addition to the advocacy department. The Street Outreach Paralegal’s role is to identify any civil and/or social barriers that individuals facing homelessness are experiencing. Criteria to receive services entails being unhoused. This includes being in a homeless shelter, DV shelter, half-way house, transitional housing, “couch surfing”, living out of a vehicle, or being outright homeless.

If you or your family member have been denied eligibility for benefits or threatened with the loss of benefits from a need-based public assistance program, we can help. East River Legal Services is here to assist with Social Security Income (SSI) benefits, Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits, and public benefit appeals.

Going through a financial struggle can be difficult, whether it is dealing with collection calls and notifications or an unexpected wage garnishment. Sometimes the loss in income can have significant impact on you or your family. East River Legal Services is here to assist with bankruptcy, collections and consumer protection.

Going through a family legal issue is stressful for the entire family, even in the best of circumstances. When serious safety issues are involved, it makes things even more stressful. East River Legal Services is here to assist with divorce, custody, and protection orders.