>>Richmond City Council Declares Evictions A Public Crisis
(Richmond, VA) -- The Richmond City Council is taking steps to helping public housing residents stay in their homes. Richard Stelling has more.Preview: Voicer Script:
The council voted yesterday to use a fund to pay for legal representation for those facing eviction. Supporters say residents with legal representation are up to ten times more likely to avoid eviction than those without representation. They also point out, though, the 500-thousand dollars approved for the fund won't be nearly enough. A member of the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society tells 12 On Your Side the funding will only ensure six-percent of families have an attorney.