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These Guides Help Defendants Avoid the Legal System's Boobytraps

Patrick Sisson

September 13, 2021 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

The nationwide nonprofit Partners for Justice aids public defender offices and their clients, helping to close gaps that can turn into unfair outcomes in criminal cases and repeated failures guaranteeing incarceration. Advocates get posted for two years to assist underfunded public defenders in multiple cities. The help can include gathering evidence to aid in clients' defense. But it goes beyond that to helping them and their families navigate bureaucracies so that their lives can be stable enough to avoid more criminal legal entanglements.

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Undocumented crime victims who assist police are often denied help in getting visa

Yilun Cheng

August 23, 2021 |

The Columbus Dispatch |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Whitehall, Ohio

Congress created the U visa program in 2000 to encourage undocumented immigrants to report crimes to the police and cooperate with investigations and prosecutions. The visa legalizes an immigrant's status, if certified by a law enforcement agency and approved by the federal government. Some police departments, like Whitehall, Ohio's, routinely reject requests for certification because they want to avoid entanglements in immigration matters, or simply because they are anti-immigrant. No national rules require agencies to comply with the system, though some states do.

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Tenant Power

Jake Clapp

August 02, 2021 |

Gambit |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Tenants are banding together for housing rights in different cities. From collective bargaining to advancing tenant issues, the struggle for safe and affordable housing has been carried out through the efforts of grassroots tenant organizers. One such group is the New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly, which educates tenants about their rights. Others have led strikes resulting in renovations and tenant-friendly policy changes.

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9 Potential Solutions to Keep Chicagoans Safer From Fires

Cecilia Reyes Madison Hopkins

August 02, 2021 |

Better Government Association |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Many cities have experienced tragic deaths in rental apartments, but Chicago's poor record in this realm is compounded by officials' refusal to concede systemic problems. So, to follow up on an earlier report about those problems, reporters compiled a list of nine effective policies and which other cities use them. In each of the areas, Chicago has failed to adopt policies that in other places have made fire safety a priority, starting with routine inspections, effective enforcement of regulations, and licensing and tracking of landlords to more easily spot scofflaws.

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Short term Rental Tax Raises Funds for Housing

Julia Caulfield

July 30, 2021 |

Koto Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Short-term rental taxes are contributing to affordable housing projects in Colorado. In places like Telluride, where rentals account for about 35 percent of the housing stock, the new tax has not impeded rentals and has created a consistent revenue stream for affordable housing.

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After 'painfully slow' start, restorative justice program tries to reset

Paul Cuno-Booth

July 17, 2021 |

Sentinel Source (The Keene Sentinel) |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

The Cheshire County Restorative Justice Program works to take low-level defendants, accused of things like shoplifting or alcohol violations out of court and into an alternative process, sparing them criminal records that would later weigh them down. The program’s goal is to push the legal system toward restorative justice, reimagining its traditional processes.

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Tag team approach to healthcare reaches older adults in Bangladeshi community during COVID-19 pandemic

Nargis Hakim Rahman

July 14, 2021 |

Tostada Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

Sakhi for South Asian Women in New York has significantly increased their outreach during the coronavirus pandemic, connecting clients to services and resources. The group conducted 1,500 wellness calls and needs assessments in local South Asian communities and increased their caseload and cash assistance to clients. The group, who publishes their content in nine languages, also helps clients who do not have documentation pay for groceries and medications through their Sakhi Solidarity Fund. For clients who need help with family law and immigration issues, Sakhi can connect them to pro bono legal partners.

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‘Make room for everyone:' Why density could be key to liveability in Langford

Shalu Mehta

July 02, 2021 |

The Discourse |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Langford, British Columbia

A new rent-to-own development is providing an affordable housing option. Known as My Belmont, the new solution is combining affordability with walkability as well as access to public transportation - a combination that is hard to find. Although the new project offers limited spots, it’s being highlighted as the type of mixed-used housing developments that can help alleviate the issue of affordable housing and provide a better quality of life.

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One Year Of Right To Counsel In Cleveland Gives Low Income Tenants Facing Eviction A Lifeline

Rachel Rood

July 01, 2021 |

ideastream |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

Tenants in Cleveland can qualify for access to legal representation in eviction hearings through the Right to Counsel program. Similar programs across the country have resulted in high rates of success, with up to 85 percent of renters avoiding eviction.

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Helpline Fills Gaps in Local Housing Assistance

Kathleen Shannon

June 29, 2021 |

KDNK Community Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado

Bridging Resources is a helpline launched by a group of nonprofits that connects residents to existing services. Bilingual operators field calls and connect callers to agencies that can provide food, rental assistance, childcare, and legal advice among other services. The operators actually call the agencies with residents on the line to ensure the connection is made. Seventy-eight callers received assistance in the helpline’s first ten weeks, split almost evenly between English and Spanish speakers, which reinforced the importance of providing bilingual assistance.

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