Grant Opportunity: FY23 Eviction Prevention Legal Services

Maryland Legal Services Corporation announces that an application for eviction prevention funding for fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023) is now open. The application can be found in the Current Opportunities sections of SmartSimple and is due no later than Wednesday, April 13. Details on all the funding sources and amount of funds available for FY23 are still being finalized, but in the meantime MLSC has opened one master eviction prevention application. After reviewing the applications, MLSC staff will work with selected applicants to determine which program and funding source is the best fit. Programs will include:

  • Statewide Access to Counsel in Evictions program
  • Baltimore City Right to Counsel in Evictions program
  • [POTENTIALLY] Other eviction prevention efforts that, due to programmatic or other restrictions, may not fit in one of the above programs – however, kickstarting the two statutory programs will be the priority

Before beginning an application, applicants should review the statewide statute and, if applicable, the Baltimore City ordinance (click on “Signed Ordinance”). The application will ask how your proposed services do or do not fit within the scope of the programs. Any applicants that are not current MLSC grantees should contact MLSC prior to beginning an application.

A few important notes:

  • In the coming weeks MLSC will be issuing separate RFPs for tenant outreach/education and a coordinated intake system. When these standardized program elements are fully implemented, the expectation is that all legal services providers funded for Access/Right to Counsel will participate in them.
  • Full representation will be prioritized in funding decisions. However, we recognize some other levels of service may occur when full representation is not appropriate or feasible.

MLSC asks applicants to think boldly about how existing programs could be scaled up or new programs launched. We also encourage collaborations or partnerships with other providers that may make the program more effective and efficient. As implementation of the program progresses, we will adjust to adapt to the need, standardized program elements and full expansion across the state.

MLSC’s mission is to ensure low-income Marylanders have access to stable, efficient and effective civil legal assistance through the distribution of funds to nonprofit legal services organizations. Since the Maryland General Assembly established the organization in 1982, MLSC has made grants totaling over $354 million. The Maryland General Assembly named MLSC administrator of the statewide Access to Counsel in Evictions program via legislation passed during the 2021 session. MLSC will also look to partner with local jurisdictions on their eviction prevention legal services efforts.