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By Tonya Sams
For many years, Cleveland tenants facing eviction were not guaranteed an attorney. That changed when the City of Cleveland passed a Right to Counsel (RTC) ordinance, effective July 1, 2020. Cleveland became the first city in the Midwest and only the fourth in the United States to provide such a right. Five years later, RTC continues to ensure that Cleveland tenants have access to legal representation in eviction cases and has helped thousands of families stay housed.
Cleveland residents entitled to receive free legal help under the RTC are those who have incomes at or below the federal poverty guidelines, and a minor child in their home. Attorneys at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland will represent tenants in Court, help them present their side of the dispute, and try to get a result consistent with their goals.
There Are More Than 5,000 Evictions Filed Every Year in Cleveland.
“Evictions harm Cleveland neighborhoods. They disrupt neighborhood stability. They hurt children who have to change schools suddenly. Families often lose their belongings when they’re forced to move quickly. Childcare, transportation arrangements, family support systems, and access to employment opportunities all can be broken by a sudden move,” said Barbara Reitzloff, a Supervising Attorney in the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid. “Legal representation through RTC makes it more likely that the tenant can stay in their home, or work out an agreement to move on a more reasonable timetable.”
Since it began in 2020, more than 4,500 tenants have received assistance from Legal Aid through RTC, and Legal Aid attorneys have helped 80% of those tenants achieve their case goals.
The eviction process moves quickly. In Cleveland, court dates can happen within days of the tenant receiving court papers. If the Court rules against the tenant, the tenant may have as few as seven days to move. If the tenant doesn’t move, the landlord may hire private movers to set the tenant’s belongings on the tree lawn.
Fortunately, it’s easier for tenants to attend their eviction hearings in Cleveland.
“Since the pandemic, eviction hearings are held on Zoom. This is helpful because the tenant doesn’t have to worry about transportation to the Justice Center, the cost of parking, or arranging for childcare,” Barbara said.
Barbara Reiterated That Having an Attorney is Important.
“We’ve learned from RTC that you are likely to get a better result with an attorney than without one,” said Barbara. “An attorney can help get a tenant more time to move, or they may be able to stop the eviction completely. An attorney may be able to protect a tenant’s housing subsidy, which the tenant can lose if the Court grants an eviction judgment against the tenant.”
Cleveland tenants facing eviction should call 216-861-5835 or apply online at FreeEvictionHelp.org. For help with other housing matters, call 888-817-3777 or apply online at lasclev.org/apply.
Tonya Sams is a Development and Communications Manager at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.
