Record-Breaking Decrease in Evictions Citywide

Residential evictions in New York City decreased 15 percent from the previous year, representing the largest single-year decrease in evictions since Mayor de Blasio signed the first-in-the-nation right-to-counsel law and launched the city’s Universal Access to Counsel Program. Residential evictions by marshals have declined more than 40 percent since 2013.

According to the city’s announcement, over 350,000 New Yorkers have received assistance in eviction and other housing-related matters through tenant legal services programs, including the right-to-counsel program. Of the tenants receiving city counsel in cases where they’re facing eviction, over 84 percent have been able to keep their apartments.

Also, through the Universal Access initiative, 400,000 residents facing eviction are expected to receive legal assistance annually at full ramp-up in 2022, with annual funding for legal services for tenants increasing to $166 million. In 2019 alone, 41,000 households representing 105,000 New Yorkers received legal representation and advice, including over 32,000 households representing 83,000 New Yorkers facing eviction in Housing Court. This reflects a 24 percent increase in households served compared to the prior year and a 74 percent increase compared to 2017, before the formal launch of right to counsel. In 2013, only 6,500 households representing 23,000 individuals had city-funded legal services.