LSNYC Wins Back Housing for Elderly Tenant Evicted From Her Home

In the middle of a brutally cold winter, Legal Services NYC helped Ms. T, an elderly tenant in poor health, regain her housing after being evicted. 

Ms. T’s rent is largely covered by a city-funded housing subsidy voucher. Yet despite the voucher’s purpose of preventing homelessness, city agenices had allowed Ms. T’s landlords to pursue a case against her for nonpayment. When Ms. T was unable to appear for a motion in the case, the judge issued a default judgment and she was evicted from her home on January 13. 

A week later, Ms. T came to LSNYC’s emergency intake and met with Anton, one of our advocates. By that time, only $519 in unpaid rent remained, yet that small amount was preventing Ms. T from returning to her home. 

Anton quickly sought funds from the city and Haven’s Fund. The team was able to get the check certified and accepted by the landlord’s attorneys, allowing Ms. T to return to her home. 

Ms. T fell through the cracks of the city’s safety net, despite being exactly the kind of person it was designed to protect. Yet in a little less than two weeks, LSNYC was able to reverse her eviction — offering the kind of essential, emergency legal support that many New Yorkers need to maintain stable lives.