FY23 Eviction Prevention Legal Services

Fiscal Year: FY23 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023)

Geographic Scope: Maryland (statewide)

Purpose: To provide legal services to prevent evictions and assist tenants

Programs Included:

1. Statewide Access to Counsel in Evictions program - established by Maryland General Assembly legislation (2021)
2. Baltimore City Right to Counsel in Evictions program (potentially)
3. Other eviction prevention efforts - for programs that may not fit within statutory programs due to programmatic or other restrictions

Funding Priorities:

• Full representation will be prioritized in funding decisions
• Full expansion of statutory programs is the priority
• Some other levels of service may be funded when full representation is not appropriate or feasible
• Applicants encouraged to think boldly about scaling up existing programs or launching new programs
• Collaborations and partnerships with other providers encouraged

Eligibility:

• Nonprofit legal services organizations
• Current MLSC grantees or new applicants
• Must serve low-income Marylanders

Background:

• Maryland General Assembly named MLSC administrator of statewide Access to Counsel in Evictions program via legislation passed in 2021 session
• MLSC will partner with local jurisdictions on eviction prevention legal services efforts

Additional Program Elements:

• Separate RFPs will be issued for tenant outreach/education
• Separate RFP for coordinated intake system
• All legal services providers funded for Access/Right to Counsel expected to participate in standardized program elements once implemented
• Program will adjust and adapt as implementation progresses and needs change

Contact:

• Maryland Legal Services Corporation
• Phone: 410-576-9494 or 800-492-1340
• Email: grants@mlsc.org
• Address: 15 Charles Plaza Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21201

Application Process

Submission Platform: SmartSimple (MLSC's online grants management system) - "Current Opportunities" section

Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Steps:

1. Review the statewide statute on Access to Counsel in Evictions
2. If applicable, review Baltimore City Right to Counsel ordinance (Signed Ordinance)
3. For non-current MLSC grantees: contact MLSC prior to beginning application
4. Access application through SmartSimple
5. Complete application addressing how proposed services fit within the scope of the programs
6. Submit by deadline

Required Information:

• Description of how proposed services do or do not fit within the scope of the programs
• Budget and funding request details
• Information about collaboration/partnership arrangements (if applicable)
• Plans for scaling up existing programs or launching new programs
• Approach to full representation or alternative levels of service

Important Notes:

• Master eviction prevention application covers all three program types
• MLSC staff will work with selected applicants to determine best program fit and funding source
• Details on all funding sources and amounts available were still being finalized at time of announcement

Contact for Questions:

• Email: grants@mlsc.org
• Phone: 410-576-9494 or 800-492-1340