Newark, NJ – September 17, 2020 – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), a New Jersey legal services organization, has received a $465,000 grant through the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund’s Housing Stability Project to assist renters facing eviction as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
New Jersey was facing an eviction crisis before COVID-19 hit. In 2019, during what is widely considered a year of strong economic growth, there were almost 160,000 eviction notices filed. This year, 397,000 renters have lost income due to the shutdown and housing experts estimate that more than 300,000 new evictions could be filed in the coming months.
The grant will allow VLJ to hire four new lawyers and train 200 new volunteer attorneys to address evictions across New Jersey. Through the grant, VLJ will work in partnership with the Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey (HCDNNJ). Renters who need assistance but do not require a lawyer will be assisted by HCDNNJ’s network of providers for pre-eviction counseling and those counselors will refer tenants with more advanced and complicated issues to VLJ for legal services.
“The coronavirus pandemic has hit the most vulnerable the hardest, leaving many families worried about keeping a roof over their heads,” said New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy, the founding chair of NJRPF. “We hope this grant will help stave off a pending eviction crisis by helping at-risk tenants and landlords understand their rights, and navigate a complex system during these incredibly trying times.”
“With the increased capacity through the NJPRF grant, VLJ will have the equivalent of five staff attorneys dedicated to eviction defense work,” said VLJ’s Executive Director Cathy Keenan. “With a crisis of this magnitude looming, NJ will need the talents and expertise of legal services attorneys and pro bono attorneys from across the state to assist tenants. It is a real call to the action for the private bar. We are so grateful to the NJPRF Board and donors for their support and to be part of the effort to provide housing stability for at-risk renters in New Jersey.”
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About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
VLJ is an award-winning legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged and at-risk adults, children, and families in New Jersey by empowering them with the tools, advice, and pro bono representation to obtain fair and equal treatment within the legal system. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with law firms, corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. Each year, VLJ’s work impacts more than 3,300 people, through 10 distinct pro bono programs. To learn more, please visit www.vljnj.org.