News
Equal Justice Works Now Accepting Host Organization Applications for its Housing Justice Program
/ Updates
Update January 6, 2025:
Equal Justice Works is reopening the application for the Housing Justice Program RFP No. HJP-24A09 for Maryland-based attorney Fellow positions only.
The attorney Fellow positions available must comply with the Access to Counsel in Evictions statute (Md. Code, Real Property § 8-901 et seq.). As a result, they can only provide representation to covered individuals in judicial or administrative proceedings to evict or terminate the tenancy or housing subsidy. Additionally, these Fellows may dedicate a portion of their time to outreach and education related to tenant rights in Maryland.
The RFP will remain open and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until subaward funds are fully allocated. Fellows will serve for two years, beginning no later than August 2025, and ending no later than December 31, 2026.
July 24, 2024:
Equal Justice Works invites eligible organizations based in Maryland and South Carolina to submit proposals to participate as Host Organizations in the 2024 Housing Justice Program.
The Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Program mobilizes a cohort of lawyers and community organizers working collaboratively as Fellows to serve low-income individuals who are currently or at risk of experiencing housing instability and involuntary displacement, particularly due to eviction.
The 2024 Housing Justice Program will expand the efforts of the 2022 Housing Justice Program in Maryland and South Carolina to help low‐income households avoid eviction and remain stably housed. Equal Justice Works seeks to allocate approximately 15 Fellows in Maryland and South Carolina: 12 attorney Fellows and three community organizer Fellows hosted at legal services organizations and community-based organizations. Host Organizations will participate in the Housing Justice Program by hosting one or more Fellows; organizations may apply to host attorney Fellows, organizer Fellows, or a combination of both. These 15 Fellows will work cooperatively to:
- Provide direct legal assistance including advice, referrals, and full representation for tenants in eviction proceedings;
- Build collaborative partnerships with community organizations and provide referrals for wraparound services;
- Engage in outreach including know-your-rights presentations and workshops, legal clinics, and intake events around housing issues; and
- Identify patterns, organize tenants, engage in impact litigation to challenge structural issues, and educate key stakeholders around the causes and consequences of housing instability; and
- Where a right to counsel exists in eviction cases, identify on-the-ground implementation problems and coordinate with other legal services providers.
Fellows will serve for two years, beginning on or about September 1, 2024, and ending no later than 24 months after the Fellow’s start date.
The Housing Justice Program is funded by Maryland Legal Services Corporation, The JPB Foundation, and the South Carolina Bar Foundation.
Please see links to the full Request for Proposals (RFP) and accompanying appendices below. Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time through the online application portal.
Resources
Before applying, please review the following materials:
Templates & Forms
The following materials are required for submission:
- Proposal Narrative
- Proposal Workplan and Targets
- Budget Template
- Policy Certification
- Certification for Data Privacy
- Pre-award Survey
- Risk Assessment Tool
- IRS Forms
- Financial Statements
If you have any questions about the application process, please read the Frequently Asked Questions here or reach out to [email protected].