Akron is starting a pilot 'right-to-counsel' program for low-income tenants facing evictions.

If the program has positive results, the city may start a permanent program and will have to figure out how to fund it.

The three-year program begins Sept. 15.

In Akron’s eviction cases last year, 88% of landlords had an attorney but only 3% of tenants had one.

A pilot right-to-counsel program that starts Sept. 15 is aimed at reducing this gap by providing attorneys to eligible tenants for free.

“It’s a basic fairness thing,” said Mayor Shammas Malik, who has pushed for a right-to-counsel program for four years. “If you are going through a legal process, you should have the ability to have help in navigating it. I went to law school, so I know all the words you need to say. People are fight

See Full Page