About the ACP Internship Program
In January 2014, the Access to Justice Program's Housing Court Initiatives, Help Centers, and Court-Based Interdisciplinary Programs collaborated to launch the Assigned Counsel Project ("ACP") Pilot Internship Program. The Internship Program was set up to recruit, train, and supervise law students and approved recent law graduates to conduct intake and assess the legal and social services needs of vulnerable seniors at risk of eviction. Once they successfully interview, the volunteers complete a comprehensive training, and then serve their 50-hour commitment alongside experienced court attorneys in the Help Centers located in the courts where they volunteer.
In light of the success of the pilot inaugurated by three law students in Kings County Housing Court at the beginning of the year, two other classes of volunteers participated in this initiative during 2014, and transformed the project into an established program. The Program is now in operation in three counties: Queens, Kings, and New York, and gives volunteers an opportunity to give back to their community while meeting their pro bono requirement.
Seniors facing New York City Housing Court proceedings often live in apartments that are rent controlled or rent stabilized, have Section 8 subsidies, or are the recipients of entitlements such as SCRIE. Under these protective laws and subsidies, seniors are able to afford rent payments notwithstanding limited income. Yet, with increased age, many seniors find themselves in a position where, due to their deteriorating health, they are no longer able to manage their responsibilities in the same way, at times resulting in a Housing Court proceeding being brought against them.
The Assigned Counsel Project (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.
For information about how to become an Intern, keep reading.
If you need additional information, feel free to send an email to [email protected].
Responsibilities
Volunteers meet with seniors in Court, complete evaluations, and issue spot in formulating a legal assessment of the senior's case for the Supervising Judge to consider in triaging for the ACP Program. The screening and assessment process are performed under the supervision of a Court Attorney. Tasks include:
- Conduct intake for the senior
- Identify defenses and/or counterclaims
- Identify any social service needs
- Draft legal assessment of the case
- Inform senior about places to go for further assistance in their proceeding, and,
- Perform other duties as required.
Training
To participate in the Program, prospective volunteers must first come in for an interview. Once they successfully interview, they must complete a two-day training providing a comprehensive overview of residential landlord-tenant law, social services needs, and the ACP screening process. In addition, court staff provides support and guidance to all volunteers during their service.
Volunteer Commitment
Volunteers can participate in the Program in exchange for 50 hours of volunteer service commitment to be completed on a semester basis, or during the summer. Volunteers can sign up to serve during morning hours from 10:00AM - 1:00PM Mondays through Fridays, and/or afternoon hours from 2:30PM - 4:30PM Mondays through Thursdays in the Kings County (Brooklyn), New York County (Manhattan), and Queens County Housing Courts.
Register to Volunteer
- Current law student (1L, 2L, or 3L) with strong interest in housing law, social work, and access to justice issues;
- Sensitivity to the population being served;
- Ability to work and interact professionally and independently.
Please email a cover letter and resume to: [email protected].