Department of Legal Counsel
Housing
The Department of Legal Counsel at CSS has worked closely with
the CSS policy unit and community organizers to preserve low-income
housing units for the city's needy.
Volunteers of America v. Almonte: CSS defended a mentally disabled
individual who was being evicted from his supportive housing because
he failed to sign his renewal lease. Despite being a tenant for over
ten years, the housing provider obtained a judgment against him without
him appearing in court and without informing him of his rights. Through
this case, CSS affirmed that supportive housing residents can only be
evicted "for cause" because they gain extra rights from the city contracts
under which supportive housing is operated.
New York City Housing Authority v. Browndicek: CSS defended
multiple attempts to evict from public housing and close the public
assistance case of Ms. Browndicek, who, because of multiple disabilities,
was unable to document her identity to the satisfaction of the city, despite
having her rent paid by public assistance for seventeen years. Besides saving
her from homelessness, CSS was able to help her secure a social security card
and apply for SSI, dramatically increasing her income.
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