April 2023 LASC-SEOLS Pursuing Justice Newsletter

Justin Spicer

In this issue: Inside Look from the Executive Director; Fresh Start Gala Returns May 18; Second Chance Month Is Here; Perry County Driver's License Clinic; CLE Opportunities; Summer Clerkships for Law Students; LASC and SEOLS in the News

Inside Look from the Executive Director

As April is Fair Housing Month, I wanted to share information about our work to expand fair housing enforcement. In 2020, SEOLS became the first legal aid program in Ohio funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide fair housing enforcement services. Prior to this, six HUD-funded Fair Housing Centers served Ohio, but none operated in SEOLS’ 30-county rural service area.

Since SEOLS launched its Fair Housing Enforcement Project, we have investigated more than 900 fair housing complaints from residents across 35 rural southeast Ohio counties and taken enforcement action in more than 300 cases. Over half of these cases involve discrimination against an individual with a disability; 20% involve sex-based discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation; and 20% involve discrimination due to race/national origin/color/ancestry. As part of the project, SEOLS also launched a fair housing testing program, enabling us to uncover the most covert forms of housing discrimination.

In 2022 with additional HUD funding, SEOLS partnered with LASC to expand fair housing enforcement into Franklin County. SEOLS fair housing staff provided training, and LASC began screening every eviction case presented at the Tenant Advocacy Project for fair housing violations. To date, LASC pursued fair housing enforcement through judicial and/or administrative forums in more than 50 cases. LASC was recently awarded additional fair housing funding from the City of Columbus to enforce local, state, and federal fair housing laws, including source of income (SOI) protections recently passed by the city. SOI discrimination means that landlords and other real estate owners refuse to rent to prospective tenants who intend to pay for their housing with housing assistance vouchers, subsidies, veterans' benefits, or other forms of public assistance.

This funding will also allow LASC to establish its own fair housing testing program to assist in enforcement efforts. The expansion of LASC’s fair housing enforcement services is especially important following the recent closure of the Central Ohio Fair Housing Association, which previously provided fair housing services to Columbus and surrounding Central Ohio communities.

We are proud of the work our staff have done so far and look forward to continuing to expand our work in this incredibly important area.

Development Digest

The Fresh Start Gala Returns May 18!

Legal Aid’s Bankruptcy Program helps people deal with insurmountable debt. Filing a bankruptcy can be a daunting and expensive process. Without free representation from our in-house and pro bono attorneys, many people cannot access this valuable tool to rebuild their lives. Access to much-needed bankruptcy relief can help someone reinstate their driver's license, maintain stable housing, and stop overwhelming wage garnishments.

We are thrilled to announce the return of our Fresh Start Gala on May 18 at 5:30 pm on the rooftop of the Huntington Center. The money raised at the event will directly benefit the Bankruptcy Program. Get your tickets today! The Silent Auction will go live on May 11, so watch for your chance to bid on Buckeye Football tickets, rounds of golf, a COSI membership, and much, much more.

Get Your Fresh Start Gala Tickets Now!

Meet Some of Our Bankruptcy Clients:

Connecting with Pro Bono

Second Chance Month Is Here

April is Second Chance Month, a time when we recognize the importance of supporting people with past criminal records. These records create barriers to employment and housing long after they have completed their sentence. Second Chance Month is especially important this year because of far-reaching changes to Ohio law that greatly expand record sealing and expungement. These changes may allow people who were not previously eligible for criminal record relief to file for sealing or expungement.

Now more than ever, we need volunteers to assist clients with sealing and expungement and filing for Certificates of Qualification for Employment (CQEs). This can be done virtually through Opportunity Port or at one of our in-person clinics. If you’re interested in volunteering with Opportunity Port, please email Megan O’Dell!

For a complete listing of ways to get involved, check out our Volunteer Resources page.

Dozens Served at Perry County Driver's License Reinstatement Clinic

On Friday, April 14, SEOLS and LASC staff joined with the Ohio Justice Bus and volunteer attorneys and law students from Perry and Franklin counties to help folks take steps towards reinstating their driver’s licenses. Thanks to our staff, volunteers, partners, and the Perry County Municipal Court, we were able to serve more than 40 people!

CLE Opportunities

Representing Low-Income Tenants in Franklin County

Friday, April 21, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Live Interactive Webinar

The Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) is an innovative collaboration between LASC staff and Columbus law firms that provides legal screenings, counseling, negotiation, and representation for low-income tenants. LASC staffs each clinic with intake specialists and staff attorneys, who are joined by local lawyers who donate their time and talent for a few hours. This training is free for Ohio legal aid staff and volunteer attorneys currently participating in (or committed to participate in) an Ohio Legal Aid Pro Bono Project. Register now.

An application has been submitted to the Supreme Court of Ohio for 2 hours of CLE credit for this training.

Probate for Low-Income Clients: The Basics All Advocates Should Know

Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Live Interactive Webinar

Join the Alliance of Ohio Legal Aids for this important webinar on the basics of probate for low-income families. The training will provide advocates with the foundation needed to ask the right questions and identify ways to help your clients plan for their families’ future. This training is free for Ohio legal aid staff and volunteer attorneys currently participating in (or committed to participate in) an Ohio Legal Aid Pro Bono Project. Register now.

An application has been submitted to the Supreme Court of Ohio for 2 hours of CLE credit for this training.

Law Students – Summer Opportunities Still Available!

We still have a need for full and part-time summer law clerks. Working with LASC/SEOLS is an excellent way to gain real-world experience in a safe and supportive environment. If you wish to apply, please do so by Friday April 21st! Apply here.

LASC and SEOLS in the News

LASC cited as a recipient of city funding to support tenants facing eviction:

Evictions climb in Franklin County

Axios Columbus (March 16, 2023)

LASC managing attorney Melissa Benson cited:

Nationwide Children's program builds homes to buy, rent in Linden, but are they affordable?

The Columbus Dispatch (March 24, 2023)

LASC mentioned:

Up to $10,000 per evacuated unit, Latitude Five25 owner proposes tenant settlement

ABC 6/FOX 28 Columbus (March 29, 2023)

LASC staff attorney Graham Bowman quoted:

'There was no playbook.' How one evacuation exposed fractures in Columbus' housing

The Columbus Dispatch (April 11, 2023)

SEOLS staff attorney Anne Roche quoted:

Don’t Hesitate To Reinstate—Perry County Driver’s License Reinstatement Clinic

WHIZ News (April 14, 2023)

LASC managing attorney Melissa Benson quoted:

Ohio bill grants sexual, domestic violence victims’ a right to end lease unscathed

NBC 4 Columbus (April 17, 2023)

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