Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless


The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization providing pro bono legal services to those in the District affected by lack of housing and other housing issues. In 2009, the organization was voted "one of the best small charities in the Washington, DC region" by the Catalogue for Philanthropy. The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless has been instrumental in preserving city funding for homeless services, housing, public benefits, domestic violence, individual rights and health.

Operations

The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless is located in the True Reformer Building at 1200 U Street NW in the heart of Washington, D.C.'s U Street Corridor. At the core of the Legal Clinic's work is the Legal Assistance Project, which provides pro bono representation of individual low and no-income clients through a network of over 200 volunteer attorneys and legal assistants. Volunteers obtain clients on a referral basis or at one of seven intake sites run by the Legal Clinic at meal programs, health clinics and day programs throughout the District.
The Clinic hosts and participates in several major fundraisers each year including Lawyers Pitch In, and Home Court.

History

The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless began its efforts to fight homelessness in 1985 as an undertaking of the D.C. Bar, and was originally titled "Ad Hoc Committee for the Homeless." In 1986, the organization became the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.

Staff

The Legal Clinic staff consists of Patty Mullahy Fugere, the Executive Director; about seven staff attorneys, and a grassroots advocacy coordinator.
Mary Ann Luby, a nun, served as outreach worker at the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless for 15 years. Prior to joining the Clinic, she served as the first director of the privately run Rachael's Women's Center. She died in 2010 at the age of 70.