Cornell Insignia

Office of Engagement Initiatives

  • Menu
  • Grants & Awards +–
    • Grants and Awards For Students
    • Grants and Awards For Faculty & Staff
  • Programs +–
    • Programs For Students
    • Programs For Faculty & Staff
  • Explore
  • Courses
  • Resources +–
    • Serve in Place during COVID-19
    • What is Community-Engaged Learning?
    • Community Partnerships
    • Course & Curriculum Design
    • Critical Reflection
    • Student Learning Assessment
  • About +–
    • News & Events
    • Our Team
    • From the Executive Director
    • Our Supporters
    • Engaged College Initiative
    • NYC Workspace
    • Acknowledging Us
    • Contact
Close
  • Grants & Awards
    • For Students
    • For Faculty & Staff
  • Programs
    • For Students
    • For Faculty & Staff
  • Explore
  • Courses
  • Resources
  • Home
  • About
  • News & Events
  • Our Team
  • From the Executive Director
  • Our Supporters
  • Engaged College Initiative
  • Acknowledging Us
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Engaged Opportunity Grants

Ithaca Housing Hotline

Providing free legal advice about leases, living conditions, evictions and more

Approximately 70% of Ithacans are renters, many of whom inhabit substandard housing — living without adequate heat, proper water systems and working locks. Questions about leases, payments, conditions and evictions are at the forefront of the uncertainty amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ithaca Tenants Unit Housing Hotline provides answers. Tenants can contact the hotline to learn about their rights and receive free legal advice. Cornell ILR and law students conceived the idea of the Tenants Hotline in response to tenants’ increasing requests for legal assistance in housing matters.

The project is supported by the Tompkins County Workers’ Center, a grassroots organization founded in empowerment and fairness with a history of serving as a resource to the community. The Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, a regional nonprofit organization, with expertise in pro bono legal assistance in preventing evictions, also supports the project with pro bono attorney recruitment and training.

Topics: Access, Equity and Justice; Law, Government and Policy

The Team

  • Michaela Azemi

    Cornell Law School

  • Beth Lyon

    Cornell Law School

  • Akua Akyeam, Office of Public Service

    Cornell Law School

  • Conor Bednarski

    Law School '21

  • Liel Sterling

    School of Industrial and Labor Relations '21

  • Benjamin Ahn

    Law School '21

  • Elijah Fox

    School of Industrial and Labor Relations '21

  • Daniel Norris

    School of Industrial and Labor Relations '21

  • Sandile Magagula

    Law School '22

  • Community partner:  Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York
  • Community partner:  Tompkins County Workers’ Center

Engaged Opportunity Grants

Supporting a wide range of community-engaged learning projects, from student leadership programs and partnership building to events and conference travel. Open to all faculty and staff.

Learn More

Office of Engagement Initiatives

  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Engaged Cornell logo

© Cornell University