State courts facing growing eviction filings have a new opportunity to develop sustainable diversion programs through the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Eviction Diversion Initiative, a new four-year, $11.5 million grant program.
Approximately ten courts or judicial systems will receive grant funding to hire dedicated staff to transform their eviction courts into problem-solving courts that embrace holistic, sustainable, and community-driven strategies for resolving legal problems. In addition to the grant funding, NCSC will also provide resources, peer learning opportunities and technical assistance to help courts implement diversion strategies including legal aid and mediation services, housing and financial counseling, screening for rental and financial assistance programs, court improvements and self-help resources for landlords and tenants.
“NCSC is honored to be at the forefront of working with state and local courts to transform their eviction courts during this critical time,” said NCSC President Mary C. McQueen. “This new Eviction Diversion Initiative offers a unique opportunity for courts to focus intensively on improving the eviction court experience and making permanent changes that will improve the administration of justice and help stabilize litigants and communities.”
Samira Nazem, an NCSC principal court management consultant managing the initiative, added the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated the nation’s ongoing eviction crisis, putting millions of families at risk of displacement.
“As federal rental assistance funds start to run out, courts have an opportunity to create permanent, sustainable changes to their eviction dockets. This grant program isn’t just a funding opportunity, but a chance for forward-thinking and innovative court systems to launch truly transformative work that makes eviction court a place where litigants can access help reaching sustainable resolutions to their housing problems.”
Program eligibility is limited to state or local courts, and the application deadline is January 21. Complete application details are at www.ncsc.org/eviction.
The Eviction Diversion Initiative is the latest addition to NCSC’s ongoing eviction work. For more than a year, the National Center for State Courts has worked with partner organizations and agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, to provide state courts with resources to assist homeowners, landlords and renters with eviction-related issues.
The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a nonprofit court organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts. Founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices and U.S. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, NCSC provides education, training, technology, management, and research services to the nation’s state courts.
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