Cleveland Homeless Legal Assistance Program
The Cleveland Homeless Legal Assistance Program (CHLAP) is a program of the CMBA. It works with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) and homeless shelters in the area to focus on the legal issues that are of concern to those in Cleveland who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of becoming homeless. The program offers an important service to the individuals in need by providing access to justice through brief advice and counseling clinics at regularly scheduled times in shelters and social service sites where they reside or gather for meals and other services.
CHLAP aims to provide pro bono legal assistance to homeless and at-risk individuals. Volunteers provide a variety of services, including shelter site intake interviews, brief advice, information service, and direct representation in matters requiring further assistance. Volunteers help individuals with civil legal issues, including driver's license reinstatement, credit problems, criminal record expungement, landlord-tenant problems, public benefits, and family law. Training, resources, and mentors are available to volunteers. Malpractice insurance coverage is available through the program's volunteer policy.
2018 CHLAP Schedule*
1. Bishop Cosgrove Center Last Friday of the month
1736 Superior Ave. CLE 44114 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2. Salvation Army Harbor Light / PASS 1st Wednesday of the month
1710 Prospect Ave. CLE 44115 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
3. Lakewood Community Service Center 2nd Wednesday of the month
14234 Madison Ave. Lakewood 44107 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
4. West Side Catholic Center 3rd Wednesday of the month
3135 Lorain Ave. CLE 44115 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
5. Norma Herr Center (Women’s Shelter) Last Thursday of the month
2227 Payne Avenue CLE 44114 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
*All dates are subject to change depending upon availability of attorney volunteers and shelter schedule.