Westchester County Bar Foundation awards 50K grant to LSHV

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV), the only provider of free, comprehensive, civil legal services in the Hudson Valley, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Westchester County Bar Foundation. The grant funds a Law Fellow position in LSHV's Yonkers Enhanced Access Project.

Through this Project, LSHV provides legal assistance to a cohort of low-income Yonkers residents who are at-risk of becoming homeless, to preserve housing, protect legal rights and safeguard protected and affordable housing. The Project was launched in late 2018, in collaboration with Westchester County as a pilot project seeking to guarantee legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction.

Antonio Iglesias was hired as the Law Fellow and started the position in September. Antonio will be devoted to representing low-income tenants sued for eviction in Yonkers City Court, working to provide effective and timely relief in matters such as eviction, housing code violations, the termination of housing subsidies, and the preservation of affordable housing.

Anthony J. Enea, the Foundation’s President, stated that the Foundation felt privileged that their Fellow “would have the opportunity to work for an organization as well regarded and important as LSHV. Antonio’s talents are well suited to the needs of LSHV’s clients and he will flourish with them.”

Speaking of the grant, LSHV’s CEO, Barbara Finkelstein, said “Housing stabilizes families and enables them to remain self-sufficient, ultimately saving taxpayers money. By connecting tenants with legal services at the initiation of the case, the Law Fellow increases the likelihood of a positive resolution for all the parties involved – including the tenant, landlord, courts, and taxpayers. We are grateful to the Westchester County Bar Foundation for supporting this Project and funding the Law Fellow position.”

Photo (L-R): Christopher Schweitzer, Supervising Attorney; Melinda Bellus, Attorney in Charge, Yonkers Office; Antonio Iglesias, Law Fellow; Anthony Enea, Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP, President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation; Mary Grace Ferone, Disability Counsel; Barbara Finkelstein, Chief Executive Officer