Stout, a global advisory firm, released its independent evaluation of Chicago’s Right to Counsel (RTC) Pilot Program in late November.
Compiling nearly three years’ worth of data from LCBH and our partners, Legal Aid Chicago and CARPLS, Stout’s report analyzes the impact and cost effectiveness of the Chicago Pilot Program, funded by the City of Chicago Department of Housing, through a grant from the United States Department of the Treasury.
RTC builds on the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt Early Resolution Program (ERP), a service funded by Cook County government and administered by the Chicago Bar Foundation. ERP provides renters and landlords with free brief advice and negotiation services before their case goes to trial. When a settlement cannot be reached, RTC allows our attorneys to provide extensive services for eligible tenants in eviction court.
Stout reports that of clients seeking to avoid an eviction order, 92-95% achieved that goal through RTC services. Additionally, 68% of tenants obtained more than 30 days to move, allowing adequate time to secure alternative housing. Overall, nearly 71% of clients said they were confident that they would be able to (or were able to) achieve their housing goals with the help of RTC. You can read the entire report here.
“We’re proud to see the sweeping impact of our combined efforts in eviction court. Stout’s evaluation proves what we’ve known for decades – when tenants have access to legal aid and other housing resources, the outcomes are better personally and financially, not just for them, but for our entire community,” LCBH Executive Director, Mark Swartz said.
For one client, Mr. Byrd, RTC was the difference between staying housed and homelessness, a sentiment echoed by nearly 46% of ERP clients, according to Stout’s report.
Mr. Byrd’s case, which involved the death of his landlord, and a years-long battle over the ownership of the two-flat where he lives, was not one LCBH could have taken in 2019, according to LCBH Legal and Policy Director and Mr. Byrd’s attorney, Michelle Gilbert. But, when one person claiming to be the owner of the apartment threatened to evict Mr. Byrd, despite him paying rent to the family whom his deceased landlord had named, Michelle took on the case for extended representation.
“For many years, we would not have had the time or resources to defend Mr. Byrd’s case, which required several motions to prevent his eviction due to the complexity of the case. Upon our first consideration, we thought his case was not winnable, but thanks to RTC, I could provide him with more extensive services,” Gilbert said.
Nearly two years after taking on the case, Mr. Byrd’s eviction was dismissed, and he remains in his unit.
“Many times, tenants facing eviction have defenses, they just don’t know it yet. For example, many clients reported the presence of inadequate conditions in their homes. RTC gives us time to prepare tenants for court and secure the resources they need to stabilize their housing, putting them back in control of their housing situation,” Michelle Gilbert, Legal and Policy Director, said.
According to Mr. Byrd, this outcome would have been very different if it wasn’t for Michelle’s support through RTC.
“I would’ve tried to represent myself, but I would’ve been up against someone that had an innate advantage in terms of their knowledge base and ability to out-maneuver me. That’s why it’s important to have an agency like LCBH that’s focused on the concerns and needs of tenants. It puts some power back in the hands of the tenant, so we get better outcomes,” Mr. Byrd said.
Want to help us continue fighting for renters like Mr. Byrd? Ask your Alderperson to support permanent finding for Right to Counsel in Chicago by voting for Ordinance 23-4286.