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Housing Rights Articles

Legal Help · New York City

NYC Right to Counsel: Free Eviction Legal Services

How NYC tenants facing eviction can connect with free legal representation or advice through Right to Counsel.

Reviewed 2026-10-01

A New York Housing Court tenant holding case papers while seeking legal help.
A Housing Court tenant photographed during coverage of New York City’s free-lawyer program. View image source

Legal information, not individual legal advice

Housing rights can depend on notices, deadlines, local court procedure, housing program rules, tenancy status, and facts that are not captured in a general article. Urgent court, lockout, subsidy, or eviction matters should be reviewed promptly by qualified local counsel or legal aid.

Who the program serves

New York City’s Right to Counsel program provides tenants facing eviction in Housing Court or qualifying NYCHA administrative proceedings access to free legal representation or advice from nonprofit legal services providers.

Where it is available

NYC states that Right to Counsel services are available in every ZIP code and regardless of immigration status.

How to ask for help

  • Call 311 and ask for Right to Counsel.
  • At Housing Court, ask for a free lawyer or legal services provider.
  • Do not skip your court date because you are still trying to find counsel.

Outside NYC

Free legal aid may still be available elsewhere in New York, but do not assume the NYC Right to Counsel law applies statewide in the same form.

Primary and authoritative sources

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