Empire Justice Center receives $25,000 donation

A donor who asked to remain anonymous has contributed $25,000 to Empire Justice Center to help homeowners and renters affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A state eviction moratorium has ended and many landlords are now once able to move forward with eviction actions.

The donor told the Empire Justice Center they made the donation to make sure it has “meaningful impact on our community.”

Empire Justice will use the funds to financially assist families in Monroe County who are at risk of being evicted due to their inability to pay rent, focusing on those who do not qualify for other programs.

Renters will be identified through the hotline of the Tenant Defense Project, a new collaboration between the four legal services agencies located at the Telesca Center for Justice.

The Tenant Defense Project is a pilot program that provides legal representation for low-income renters facing eviction.

Families who call the hotline who are not eligible for state or federal rental relief, or who are ineligible for assistance through the Project, will be referred to Empire Justice for consideration for rental assistance.

Families in Monroe County who are at risk of eviction can call the Tenant Defense Hotline at (585) 504-1695.