WHITE PLAINS, NY (July 24, 2025) — Westchester County has launched its Office of Housing Counsel (OHC), a first-of-its-kind county program designed to provide free legal representation and support services to financially eligible tenants facing eviction or housing disputes, officials announced Thursday in White Plains.
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The OHC aims to stabilize communities by offering resources to tenants struggling with rent payments, landlord disputes, or loss of essential services like heat and hot water. The program connects residents with legal representation, counseling, and financial assistance through nine contracted service providers, including Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Justice Center, and Community Housing Innovations.
Residents can access services by calling the United Way 211 Helpline, available 24/7, or by completing an online intake form at http://housingcounsel.westchestergov.com. The form, which takes 5-10 minutes to complete, allows OHC staff to assess needs and connect tenants with appropriate providers. For urgent matters, such as court hearings within a week, tenants are advised to call the OHC Helpline at 914-995-4814.
Under the Westchester Housing Counsel Law, tenants qualify for free legal representation if their gross household income is 300% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the county’s median income for their household size. For example, a family of three earning up to $91,800 annually—or $1,765 weekly—would be eligible.
“When the Westchester County Board of Legislators and the administration created the OHC, it was a promise to address housing insecurity head on, and it is a promise kept,” said County Executive Ken Jenkins. “The heart of the Housing Counsel law is the assurance that all financially eligible tenants have access to legal representation at no cost to them in eviction proceedings.”
OHC Director George Asante emphasized the program’s holistic approach. “The vast majority of tenants facing eviction go into court with no legal representation despite the outcomes being far better when tenants appear with an attorney,” Asante said. “We want you to reach out before you’re in trouble.”
Leonard Townes, Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Social Services, highlighted the broader impact. “The economic and social toll when a family becomes homeless is enormous,” Townes said. “Having eviction prevention and legal representation access centralized at the Office of Housing Counsel will make it much easier for Westchester residents to access these life-saving supports.”
Jason Mays, Executive Director of Hudson Valley Justice Center, praised the initiative. “By expanding access to counsel in eviction proceedings, Westchester County’s Office of Housing Counsel will allow tenants to access their protections and defenses under the law,” Mays said.
Tom Gabriel, President and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam, added, “Housing is a fundamental human right, something that the County’s new Office of Housing Counsel will ensure for all Westchester County residents.”
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.