Mayor Michelle Wu Launches Access to Counsel Program to Fight Housing Displacement
Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston has made a groundbreaking announcement that is set to change the lives of many families in the city. On January 21st, she unveiled the Access to Counsel Pilot Program, a new initiative aimed at combating housing displacement. This program is designed to provide free legal representation in housing court to eligible families, particularly those with school-aged children who are facing eviction.
Supporting Families Through Legal Representation
The Access to Counsel Pilot Program, led by the Office of Housing Stability in collaboration with Boston Public Schools, is a beacon of hope for families in need. Mayor Wu emphasized the importance of this program in a recent press release, stating that eviction can cause significant upheaval and uncertainty in a family’s life, especially affecting children’s stability and success in school. By providing legal support, the program aims to help families stay in their homes and connected to their communities.
Through the Early Homelessness Intervention Program at Boston Public Schools, families at risk of eviction will be identified by school homelessness liaisons. FamilyAid Boston, in partnership with Greater Boston Legal Services, will then step in to offer guidance and support to these families in need.
Part of a Comprehensive Eviction Prevention Strategy
The Access to Counsel program is just one piece of Boston’s broader eviction prevention strategy. This comprehensive approach includes emergency rental assistance, housing search services, and early interventions and mediation services in housing court. Thanks to these interventions, the Office of Housing Stability was able to prevent 423 evictions in 2024 alone.
The program’s focus on families with school-aged children is intentional, aiming to minimize disruptions in education and stabilize family environments for the well-being of children. By prioritizing legal representation for these families, the program seeks to mitigate the negative impacts of evictions on childhood development.
Empowering Families and Communities
In a heartwarming display of commitment to Boston’s residents, Mayor Wu has allocated $300,000 in funding for the pilot program from the city’s FY25 annual operating budget. This funding is expected to assist 120 households in 2025, providing much-needed support to vulnerable families in the city.
“Housing stability is essential for our families, schools, and neighborhoods,” Mayor Wu expressed in the release. “We are proud to take this step forward to support our most vulnerable residents and explore solutions that work for our entire city.”
As we witness Mayor Wu’s dedication to empowering families and communities through the Access to Counsel Program, it’s evident that positive change is on the horizon for those facing housing displacement in Boston. The impact of this initiative will ripple through neighborhoods, schools, and the lives of countless individuals, offering a glimmer of hope in challenging times.
