FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2023

Mayor Noble Issues RFP for ‘Right to Counsel’ Program

Funded by ARPA, Program Will Provide Free Legal Assistance for Low- to Moderate-Income Residents for Housing Issues

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce the City of Kingston has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified law firms to provide housing-related legal services for tenants.

The City of Kingston is seeking proposals from qualified attorneys and law firms to assist in a Right to Counsel Program to provide advice, brief service, and full legal representation to income-qualifying residents in the City of Kingston regarding housing issues. The City of Kingston has allocated $500,000 of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the Right to Counsel Program.     

To qualify for the Right to Counsel program, tenants must reside within the City of Kingston and have an annual income at or below 120% percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), as calculated based on household size and annually updated for Ulster County by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. At least 50% of all clients served during the contract period will serve households at an annual income at or below 100% AMI. The Legal Provider will provide tenants with the information, resources, services, advice, and representation they need to exercise their housing rights with matters including but not limited to potential eviction proceedings, habitability claims for repairs, claims under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, and discrimination proceedings.

“I am pleased that, with ARPA funding, we are able to move forward with the Right to Counsel program --one of very few of its kind in the Country, a program which will ensure that every Kingston resident has access to legal services,” said Mayor Noble. “Hiring legal representation, or even accessing legal counseling, is cost prohibitive and allows low- and middle- income residents to be taken advantage of. We continue to use every tool available to combat our housing crisis and with this program, Kingston will create a new model for how communities can support residents fighting to keep their homes.”

“We know that access to legal services is an essential aspect of ensuring that vulnerable Kingston families can exercise their housing rights with respect to illegal rent increases, lack of basic services, or eviction proceedings. This program will ensure that everyone receives the right to the fair representation they deserve. I encourage legal providers to respond to this RFP opportunity,” said Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives.

Landlords are also eligible to receive a limited set of legal services assistance under the Right to Counsel program if their rental property is located within the City of Kingston and has five or fewer units.

RFP proposals are due June 9, 2023. The RFP can be found here.

Once the City of Kingston has contracted with a law firm or attorney, more information about utilizing these legal services will be available at EngageKingston.com.

Mayor Noble established the Department of Housing Initiatives in 2020 to support housing planning in the City of Kingston. The Department manages housing-related grants, supports the construction of new market-rate and affordable housing, develops policies to protect existing residents, and addresses the connection between housing and sustainability, health, and mobility. The Department also reviews the disposition of city-owned property suitable for housing development and collaborates with local and regional housing organizations. Current projects include city-wide rezoning efforts, the Tiny Homes Project, short-term rental guidelines and many more. Visit https://kingston-ny.gov/housing.