Massachusetts Legal Clinic for the Homeless & Low-Income Residents

The Massachusetts Legal Clinic for the Homeless & Low-Income Residents (Legal Clinic) was created in 1994 to serve the legal needs of guests at Pine Street Inn and has expanded over the years to serve clients at 12 shelter and social services locations. Our pro bono attorneys currently assist clients on a variety of issues relating to basic subsistence needs, including securing subsidized housing, applying for disability and SSI benefits, and resolving immigration problems, allowing them better access to housing and jobs. This population is extremely vulnerable and is typically unable to access other legal help to meet their needs. Clients are low-income and are income eligible according to legal services guidelines. In FY 2021, the Clearinghouse and pro bono partners hosted 35 Legal Clinics (virtual and hybrid), providing assistance to 246 homeless and low-income clients.

In 2020, the Clearinghouse began to provide free legal assistance to those seeking to seal or expunge their criminal records--a major obstacle to securing housing--through a Criminal Record Sealing Clinic (CORI Clinic). In less than two years of operation, the groundbreaking CORI Clinic has assisted 231 low-income individuals, received two awards, and has been especially important in addressing the disproportionate impact the criminal justice system has on Black men and other communities of color in Boston.