Rhode Island Coalition

for the Homeless

160 Broad Street

Providence, RI 02903

Phone 401.421.6458

Fax 401.421.6426

See staff page for contact information.

History of the Homeless Legal Clinic

The Homeless Legal Clinic (HLC) was established in the Spring of 1990 in an effort to address the legal needs of homeless people in Rhode Island. The HLC relies on volunteers to provide legal services to the homeless without charge. The objective of the HLC is to serve in an outreach capacity by seeking out homeless and at risk clients at RI shelters. The HLC can provide direct legal services to those who cannot afford an attorney or may be unable to travel to a legal assistance office, are unaware such services exist or may be apprehensive about visiting a lawyer's office.

The Homeless Legal Clinic Program is funded largely in part from a generous grant by the Rhode Island Bar Association. We thank the Bar Association for their support and our volunteer attorneys without whom the Homeless Legal Clinic could not exist.

Process               

Legal Clinics are currently held at Crossroads RI, McAuley House, and Amos House in Providence.  In October the clinic will begin to spread throughout Rhode Island.  The clinics are currently staffed by Attorney Chris Fay, and members of Rhode Island Legal Services.   

The clinics are open to all individuals who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness.

We help with the following issues: Housing, Social Security, Medical Assistance, veterans' issues, Family Independence Program, court procedures, bankruptcy and identification issues, food stamp benefits, unemployment appeals, general public assistance, and expungement.

The RI Volunteer Lawyer Program (VLP) continues to work closely with the clinic program assisting with recruitment and training, and provides insurance and recognition to clinic attorneys who are also members of the VLP.

To sign up for an upcoming legal clinic, or to bring a clinic to your site, please call Homeless Legal Clinics Coordinator, Elizabeth Ochs, at 401.421.6458 or email elizabeth@rihomeless.org

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For additional information go to Rhode Island Legal Services   

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