WASHINGTON – The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) today urged the Council of the District of Columbia to reject the proposed 86 percent reduction to the District’s Access to Justice (ATJ) Initiative, warning that the cuts would destabilize the civil legal aid system and leave thousands of residents without critical support. 

In testimony before the Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, April Frazier Camara, President and CEO of NLADA, emphasized that civil legal aid is essential to helping low-income residents remain housed, protect their families, secure income and health benefits, and maintain stability. 

The ATJ Initiative currently funds more than 30 nonprofit organizations that collectively serve over 44,000 District residents across all eight wards. Despite this reach, the need for legal assistance already far exceeds available resources. National data shows that 92 percent of civil legal problems experienced by low-income individuals receive inadequate or no legal help. 

“An 86 percent cut would not reduce services at the margins. It would dismantle the infrastructure that makes access to justice possible in the District,” said Camara. 

NLADA’s testimony highlighted the broad impact of legal aid on individuals, communities, and public systems. Legal representation significantly reduces evictions, lowers rates of repeat domestic violence, and improves outcomes for individuals navigating complex legal systems. It also supports court efficiency by streamlining cases and reducing administrative burdens. 

Legal aid also delivers strong economic returns. Studies show that for every $1 invested, jurisdictions receive an average return of $7 through reduced reliance on emergency services, preservation of income and benefits, and increased economic stability. 

The proposed cuts would lead to staff layoffs, reduced intake, and potential office closures among legal aid providers. They would also weaken the pro bono legal network that depends on these organizations for training and case management. 

NLADA emphasized that District funding is a critical and irreplaceable component of the civil legal aid system. Federal and philanthropic sources are not sufficient to meet existing demand, particularly as residents face rising housing costs and economic uncertainty. 

“Access to justice is not optional. It is a core function of a fair and functioning system,” Camara said. “Without it, residents cannot protect their rights, their homes, or their families.” 

NLADA urged the Council to fully restore funding for the Access to Justice Initiative to its FY2026 level to ensure continued access to legal services for District residents. 

For more information, please contact Rabiah Alicia Burks at  [email protected].  

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The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is America's oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state, and local levels, playing a leadership role in the creation of public defender systems and other important institutions from The Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in the development of national standards for civil legal aid and public defense, NLADA also provides advocacy, training, and technical assistance for equal justice advocates across the country.