The Legal Aid Society today announced the appointment of Lucy Newman to supervising attorney of the newly launched Public Housing Unit, a dedicated citywide public housing unit which will build on Legal Aid’s public housing work by bringing affirmative litigation, as well as legislative and administrative advocacy on public housing issues.

In this role, Newman will lead a team of five people who specialize in the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and all public housing matters. The team will provide support to Legal Aid’s housing defense units throughout the City whose clients call public housing “home” and will continue to help advise colleagues throughout Legal Aid’s practice areas about issues impacting our clients, including maintaining and accessing public housing. The team will also provide support for public housing residents going through RAD/PACT or Trust conversions.

Newman previously served as staff attorney in Legal Aid’s Civil Law Reform Unit where she has fought tirelessly for NYCHA tenants for over a decade. Her litigation and advocacy for New Yorkers who live in NYCHA housing has changed the lives of many clients. Newman joined Legal Aid in 2005 as a housing attorney in the Bronx.

“It is an honor to lead our newly formed Public Housing Unit and expand on our longstanding advocacy on behalf of NYCHA residents,” said Newman. “I look forward to continuing to grow and build this work in this critical time for public housing households.”

“Legal Aid has been at the forefront of expanding, securing and protecting rights for our clients and their families who live in public housing and we are excited that Lucy will bring her NYCHA expertise to lead this new team,” said Adriene Holder, chief attorney of the Civil Practice at The Legal Aid Society. “We look forward to the work she and the team will contribute to our housing practice.”