Neighborhood Legal Services Program: A Lifeline in DC

Neighborhood Legal Services Program (NLSP)—a DC Bar Foundation grantee partner—provides free civil legal services to District residents with low income in a number of different service areas, including consumer law, housing law, family law, and domestic violence. While they work across many areas, their housing law practice is the largest, and they represent individuals and families.

NLSP has a rich 60-year history, and they have witnessed tremendous growth in its programs and services. In particular, over the last 10 years, they have made significant progress in their efforts to support the DC community. “In 2016, we launched the Housing Cooperative Preservation Initiative. The Initiative provides services to limited equity cooperatives, which are an avenue for District residents with low income to purchase their homes. Through our work, we are able to help these cooperatives and maintain this avenue to homeownership,” said Frank Garvey, NLSP’s interim director of development. Programs like the Housing Cooperative Preservation Initiative create stable housing for vulnerable DC residents.

NLSP also invests in helping DC residents navigate financial matters. Garvey shared that “NLSP’s Economic Security Unit works to help our neighbors get access to the financial resources they are entitled to and help them keep their own money.” The Economic Security Unit assists clients with illegal debt collection, disputes in credit and consumer banking laws, and the illegal withholding of security deposits. Garvey said that services also include helping residents seal their criminal records, which can be a barrier to employment.

As they look to the immediate future, they are focused on current federal legislation. Garvey said, “With the ending of certain income-based student loan repayment options, NLSP anticipates that our Economic Security Unit will see an increase in the number of clients seeking assistance with their student loan issues.”

NLSP is able to do this work because of funding. Funding from the Access to Justice Initiative, their Jazz for Justice fundraiser, donors, and other sources helps support their programs. Garvey shared that “because of the funding we receive, we help people stay safely housed, keep families safe from domestic violence, and help people secure the financial resources they need.”

Please visit the DCBF website to learn more about how the DC Bar Foundation supports grantee partners like Neighborhood Legal Services Program.