CLEVELAND — The City of Akron and partners United Way of Summit & Medina and Community Legal Aid brought forth legislation to Akron City Council on Monday to launch a pilot program that would help those facing eviction.

The program, called Right to Counsel, would provide legal counsel and supportive services to residents, and it would help address tenants' needs while also minimizing the effects evictions can cause.
It's a three-year pilot program that is set to start in September with an budget of $250,000 each year.
The work on the program began in 2022 when hundreds of local tenants, landlord, community organizers and elected officials came together for the Fair Housing Contact Services and Community Legal Aid's Eviction Prevention Summit. The goal was to talk about Akron's high eviction rate and discuss possible solutions, according to the city.
At the time, Mayor Shammas Malik was a council member and was already working on a program that was inspired by programs in Cleveland and other cities. Now, the program will soon be launching.
In order for residents to quality for the Right to Counsel program, tenants must be seven days away from facing eviction. The program will have a focus on priority populations, such as low income level, children in the household and age, according to the City of Akron. The highest priority, however, are residents at 100% of the poverty line with children living in the home.
The second highest priority are tenants at 100% of the poverty line, who are 60 years or older, with a disability.
The program will be equipped with a managing attorney, attorney and paralegal. The City of Akron will provide funding for the pilot program.
“The Right to Counsel Program will undoubtedly help prevent some of our residents from experiencing homelessness,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “By focusing on those most in need and providing them with support, resources, and legal help through the eviction progress, we can help ensure that whether they end up staying in their home or transitioning to a new home, they have support and resources throughout the process. Evictions can be harmful both to the tenant and to landlords looking for stability in their homes. This program will be beneficial to our entire community and help mitigate the harm that evictions can cause.”