Alternatives to Landlord/Tenant Court for the Elderly Project
By: Source: AARP Foundation Date Posted: 2007-01-05
The Legal Counsel for the Elderly’s (LCE) Alternatives to Landlord/Tenant Court for the Elderly Project (“Alternatives Project”) began in 1999 to protect elders from the trauma of eviction. The project encourages property managers to refer tenants to the project upon first identifying signs of problems (i.e. changes in patterns of rental payments for long-term tenants, decline in housekeeping, accumulation of personal possessions, behavioral changes) in lieu of suing for eviction first. Referrals to the project also come from landlord’s attorneys, judges, administrative agencies, neighbors, community social workers, other units within LCE and other legal services providers. The Alternatives Project consists of an attorney supervisor, a part-time licensed clinical social worker, and a part-time volunteer coordinator for de-cluttering efforts (Elder Buddies Program).
The Elder Buddies Program
Did you know that housing providers can evict elder tenants for failing to maintain their apartments? Elder Buddies provide frail and disabled elder tenants the housekeeping and de-cluttering help they need to remain living independently in their own apartments. Elder Buddies offers students and young adults a meaningful community service opportunity and high school students can receive credit toward service hours needed to graduate.
Each year Elder Buddies:
- Trains hundreds of volunteers from high schools, congregations, and national youth service organizations
- Provides an average of 30 hours of cleaning services for each at-risk elder tenant annually
- Prevents evictions of hoarders and a growing number of those with serious clutter problems
- Serves elder residents in every quadrant of the city
- Benefits residents in more than 60 housing properties throughout the city
Need Help?
Tenants who are at least 60 years of age, living in the District of Columbia and at risk of being evicted are eligible for service.
To refer a tenant in need of Alternatives Project assistance, call the LCE Hotline at 202-434-2120.
To volunteer or request more information about the Elder Buddies Program, call Karen Greene at 202-434-2077.
Financial support for this project comes from the Office of Tenant Advocacy, the D.C. Bar Foundation, other local foundations, e.g. Agua Fund, Young Leaders Circle of the AARP Foundation, and individual donors. Previous supporters include the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, Gannett Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation.
Holistic Services
Impact Advocacy: Alternatives to Landlord/Tenant Court for the Elderly Project
Download: Holistic Legal Services: A How-To Manual (PDF)
Download: Alternatives to Eviction of Elderly Tenants (PDF)
Find More Information on Volunteering
preview