About Us

Get CELHP

WHAT IS CELHP?

VLP is proud to announce the launch of the COVID-19 Eviction Legal Help Project (or CELHP for short)!

The project’s primary goals are to help low-income tenants and owner-occupants of small properties achieve short- and long-term housing stability throughout the state of Massachusetts.

CELHP, exclusively through the Volunteer Lawyers Project, will help low-income owner-occupants properties who face financial hardship brought on by the pandemic. In addition to VLP, six other legal services organizations across Massachusetts have joined CELHP. Together with VLP, these organizations will assist low-income tenants who, as a result of the economic effects of COVID-19, were not able to pay rent and now face eviction.

To help develop and implement CELHP locally and at the state level, VLP has brought on several new hires to make up the CELHP team and is currently working to boost CELHP’s web & social media presence.

CONTACT INFO

Are you an landlord/owner-occupant seeking help?

Do you live in the 2-3 unit property which you manage? Are you facing financial hardship or considering filing an eviction due to the economic impacts of COVID-19? Are you in Massachusetts? Then you may be eligible for help!

Call our helpline at 617-603-1700 and follow the prompts to speak with our CELHP team! Or apply for help online.

Are you a tenant seeking help?

Are you facing eviction because you couldn’t pay rent due to the economic hardships brought on by COVID-19? Are you in Massachusetts? Then you may be eligible for help!

Call our helpline at 617-603-1700 and follow the prompts to speak with our CELHP team! Or apply for help online.

Are you an attorney looking to represent owner-occupants?

Would you like to volunteer with CELHP?

Email CELHP Pro Bono Coordinator Orquidea Pena.

Are you an attorney looking to represent tenants?

Would you like to volunteer with CELHP?

Email CELHP Pro Bono Coordinator Orquidea Pena.

RESOURCES FOR VOLUNTEERS

The documents and forms posted are for informational purposes only. They may change as the law, regulation and requirements can change without notice. Please make sure to check for the most up to date information.

Housing LFD Training Manual

Click here to view the Housing LFD Training Manual.

Housing LFD Training Video

Watch here!

The Eviction Process (Training)

The Eviction Process (Online Course)

Welcome to the online course on the eviction process. The purpose of this course is to give advocates a basic introduction to the eviction process in light of substantive and procedural changes to court rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. The course is free. It takes about an hour, although you do not need to complete it in one sitting. You can come back to it at any time and find your place by using the course menu. You can also return to the course at any point to refresh your knowledge. Click the link above to take the course.

Required Attestation Form to Accompany a Notice to Quit

Notice to Quit Attestation Form and Submission Information

All landlords must give tenants an attestation form and submit a copy of any Notice to Quit for nonpayment of rent given to a residential tenant during the COVID-19 State of Emergency to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

CELHP Virtual Court Access Information

Click here to view CELHP Virtual Court Access Information.

Language Access: Working with Interpreters

Click here to view Language Access 101.