The Legal Aid Society Stories Providing Access to Housing Justice for All New Yorkers A Day In The Life Providing Access to Housing Justice for All New Yorkers After a year working as a Paralegal Casehandler in The Legal Aid Society’s housing team, Sophie Naidoo has gotten used to an intense demand for her work. The need for housing help is at an all time high Sophie works with individuals and families to avoid eviction and preserve affordable housing. Our Citywide Housing Practice represents as many clients as we can, but New York City’s housing crisis is extreme. Sophie and her fellow Paralegal Casehandlers help callers who don’t have representation navigate the bureaucracy and prepare for their day in housing court. Seeing a long-term tenancy be saved and that person maintain their safe haven, that’s so fulfilling for me. That’s why I do what I do. Sophie took a call from a tenant “Mr. D” in early March 2025. Mr. D is a senior citizen who faced being evicted from the rent-stabilized apartment in Brooklyn where he had lived for over 30 years. His landlord claimed that Mr. D hadn’t paid his rent. Mr. D kept great records and just needed a little push. After taking Sophie’s advice to prepare for court, Mr. D’s case was dismissed. Sophie’s supervisors say that demand for housing help is higher than ever, even compared to COVID times. Every day, paralegals like Sophie are working to close the gap and help New Yorkers stay in their home. Story by The Legal Aid Society July 1, 2025 Twitter Facebook