Volunteers of Legal Service works with
the NYC Civil Court Administration, Cleary Gottlieb, and Goodwin
to launch the VOLS BLP Housing Court Benefits Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2026
New York, NY – The Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) Benefits Law Project (BLP) opened its Housing Court Benefits Initiative (HCBI) office, an innovative new project within Manhattan Housing Court designed to stave off eviction and homelessness amid a time of ever-rising rent costs and housing precarity. Through HCBI, VOLS assists housing-vulnerable New Yorkers at imminent risk of eviction with free critical legal information and advice on accessing public benefits that may help them to pay arrears, covers future rent, and remain in their homes and communities. Information is given onsite with follow-up legal advice and representation provided to tenants as necessary.
VOLS received approval from the New York City Civil Court Administration and a dedicated room inside Manhattan Housing Court to connect directly with tenants and provide these critical free legal services. The office is staffed by VOLS BLP’s legal team members and pro bono attorneys from Cleary Gottlieb and Goodwin who are trained and supported by VOLS.
Although large numbers of New York City tenants qualify for existing public benefits that can help them maintain housing, these programs are vastly underutilized. Eligible tenants often are unaware these benefits exist, and eligibility criteria and application processes can be inaccessible. When New Yorkers do apply for these benefits without legal support, many receive arbitrary denials.
Through HCBI, New Yorkers receive information and advice on how to access these benefits, including the emergency rent arrears grant (“One-Shot Deal”), Family Housing Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS), and City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS). VOLS and pro bono partners also provide continuing legal services throughout the application and appeal phases, including full representation in housing benefits matters.
“Thousands of New Yorkers are struggling to afford ever-rising rents, eventually facing eviction and potential homelessness. We provide crucial intervention for accessing housing benefits, helping New Yorkers remain in their homes and communities.” – Jean Stevens, Director, VOLS Benefits Law Project
“It has been a true privilege for Cleary Gottlieb to work with the VOLS team to help them launch the Housing Court Benefits Initiative. For over a decade, I have been working with low-income New Yorkers in Housing Court to help keep them safely and stably housed. Over the years, it became clear to me that there is a gaping justice gap when it comes to helping people facing eviction navigate the complex and complicated housing benefits system. HCBI creatively and boldly aims to fill that gap by leveraging the power of pro bono, and it is already reaping success.” – Andrew Darcy, Pro Bono Counsel at Cleary Gottlieb
“We’re proud to partner with Volunteers of Legal Service to help ensure more New Yorkers can access legal guidance during critical moments. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to justice and empowering individuals with the support they need to move forward with confidence.” – Alexander Nicas, Partner at Goodwin
The VOLS BLP Housing Court Benefits Initiative is part of VOLS’ free legal services that support access to justice for low-income, underserved New Yorkers.
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About Volunteers of Legal Service
Since 1984, Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) has harnessed the power of the private bar and community-based organizations to provide free civil legal services to thousands of low-income, underserved New Yorkers.
Contact: Amy Bonderoff, Director, Development & Communications, VOLS
abonderoff@volsprobono.org, 212-966-4400