Jacobs and Majority Legislators Approve Funding for Free Legal Representation for Local Renters

Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and Nassau County Majority lawmakers recently approved funding for a program that will provide free quality legal advice and representation for Nassau County tenants who are otherwise unable to afford such services. Presiding Officer Jacobs said she believes the $300,000 in funding for the program was vital to preserving the legal rights of indigent tenants throughout Nassau County.

“We feel that giving free legal representation to those who cannot afford it gives them the same rights that everyone else is entitled to in America,” said Presiding Officer Jacobs.

Presiding Officer Jacobs was joined by Atlanta Cockrell, chairperson of Long Island ACORN; Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island; and Michael McKee of the Tenants and Neighbor's Association who announced support of the program. Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead), together with Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), was first to advocate for funding for the program.

“We are grateful to the Nassau County Legislature for making sure this funding is available to help low-income tenants fighting evictions,” said Michael McKee, Associate Director of Tenants & Neighbors, a statewide tenants’ rights organization. “Especially considering the huge rent increases the Nassau County Rent Guidelines Board adopted this year, tenants are going to need legal representation.”

“We’re glad that the Nassau County Legislature recognizes that low-income tenants deserve quality legal representation,” said Atlanta Cockrell, chairperson of LI ACORN. “With real estate prices skyrocketing, we are seeing tenants who have lived in apartments for 15-20 years dragged into court and evicted. We are losing our affordable apartments and not building enough new ones to replace them. With adequate legal representation tenants will have a chance.”

“We applaud Nassau County for recognizing the need to protect the rights of renters and existing affordable housing stock. There is little to no production of affordable housing and Nassau residents need all the resources available to stay in their existing homes,” said Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island, a Smart Growth planning organization.