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 Akyea
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.