In General
Assigned Counsel Project (ACP)
NYC Civil Court, Housing Part Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program
NY County Integrated Part (Part I)

In General

There is an increasing number of litigants who, due to age or physical or mental impairments, are unable to meaningfully avail themselves of helpful court-based programs or information. Some of these litigants are also facing the threat of eviction, making them especially vulnerable. The NYS Courts Access to Justice Program oversees landlord-tenant based programs, in New York City, that were created with these litigants in mind.

Assigned Counsel Project (ACP)

The ACP provides eligible seniors with an attorney and a social worker (or a social work intern) who work as a team to help seniors solve their Housing Court cases. Seniors must be sixty years of age or older, have an identifiable social service need, and a pending Housing Court case in order to be eligible for the program. Such seniors could be facing eviction due to either nonpayment of rent or holdover allegations. Other eligible seniors include those trying to evict a roommate whom they believe may hurt them or does not want to leave or an owner trying to evict a tenant.

The following services are offered free of charge:
• legal representation
• social work advocacy and assistance with securing:
• financial grants to cover arrears, and
• entitlements such as SCRIE, Medicare/Medicaid, home care, Access-a-Ride, Meals on Wheels, etc.

The New York State Access to Justice Program has published a brochure that provides more information about the program, including how a senior may seek to be considered for eligibility. Alternatively, contact Denise Colon-Greenaway, Special Counsel for Court-Based Interdisciplinary Programs, at 646-386-5408 or by email dcgreena@courts.state.ny.us.

NYC Civil Court, Housing Part Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program

The NYS Courts Access to Justice Program oversees the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program in NYC Housing Courts. The GAL Program recruits, trains, and provides Housing Court Judges with a pool of GALs whose goal is to safeguard the rights and prevent the eviction of some of New York City’s most vulnerable people. A Judge will often appoint a GAL when there is concern that a tenant is unable to advocate for him or herself due to a physical or mental impairment or age.

GALs advocate on behalf of the tenant whom they are appointed to assist by collaborating with different New York City agencies to resolve the Housing Court action. Advocacy includes securing needed entitlements or grants to pay for arrears, assisting with re-certification problems, or arranging for a heavy duty cleaning. They also negotiate for needed repairs to be addressed as part of a settlement. The powers of a GAL are limited and cease upon completion of the Housing Court case.

The pool of Housing Court GALs consists of attorneys and non-attorneys alike. In some cases GALs are compensated for their services and in other cases the GAL serves on a volunteer basis.

The NYS Courts Access to Justice Program collaborates with New York City agencies to advance solutions to problems commonly faced by GALs and Judges in trying to protect the rights of a person for whom a GAL is appointed. Additionally, it maintains a GAL website for existing and prospective GALs and publishes a GAL litigant brochure in English and Spanish outlining the role of a GAL in Housing Court and how a litigant may proceed if they have concerns. The Program also publishes a GAL Information Sheet for Landlords to address possible landlord concerns. For information, contact Denise Colon-Greenaway, Special Counsel for Court-Based Interdisciplinary Programs, at 646-386-5408 or by email: dcgreena@courts.state.ny.us.

New York County Integrated Part (Part I)

The NYS Courts Access to Justice Program oversees the New York County’s Integrated Part, otherwise known as Part I. Part I was created in June 2008, with the goal of being able to resolve the legal matters presented taking into account the litigant’s court history, unique circumstances, and needs. Such a Part eliminates the need for an often physically or mentally fragile litigant to go before two different Courts, thereby lessening the stress the litigant may be facing. By taking a holistic approach, the Judge is able to fashion solutions that aim to address the “root cause” of the existing legal problems and prevent recidivism.

Cases are transferred into Part I when a tenant living in NY County is the subject of both a Civil Court, Housing Part case and a Supreme Court, Article 81 Guardianship case. Upon transfer, both cases are combined and adjudicated by an Acting Supreme Court Justice.

New York Law Journal article Innovative Part Integrates Guardianship and Housing Matters describes how this special part has handled hundreds of integrated cases in a particularly efficient, creative, and sensitive manner.