HCC has offered legal representation for over two decades to address the needs of Hell’s Kitchen/Clinton’s under-served population. As large real estate developments increase pressures on the West Side of Manhattan, HCC sees a need to expand the scope of legal services offered through the Community Economic Development Project.
The definition of community economic development (CED) is broad. At its core, the CED Project is about helping residents take action in their own community. Through the CED Project, HCC strives to:
- Protect low-income co-ops (HDFCs)
- Cultivate local economies
- Revitalize blocks in the Clinton/Hell's Kitchen neighborhood
- Foster entrepreneurship and self-reliance among residents
- Support community leaders
- Prevent displacement from existing homes
- Connect residents to existing City and State benefits and programs
- Create non-profits and for-profits to address un-met needs on the West Side
Examples of HCC’s expanded legal services include a sophisticated transactional law practice: reviewing, drafting, and negotiating relocation agreements and leases; representing clients in HDFC share transfers; helping HDFC Boards with governance issues; providing non-litigation advocacy services for community residents facing problems with their housing; giving legal start-up assistance to new, small businesses; and assisting established businesses with corporate documents and business operations.
Through the CED project, HCC has found another way to prevent displacement of long-time residents and small businesses and to create sustainable development opportunities on the far West Side.
Adapting HCC’s Non-Litigation Legal Practice to New Demands in Hell’s Kitchen
HCC’s legal services are always evolving as the challenges faced by community residents change. Now, HCC has an emerging elder law practice. HCC staff attorneys have recently started helping members of the aging Hell’s Kitchen population with basic estate planning by drafting last will and testaments, health care proxies, power of attorney documents and living wills. If you or someone you know would like assistance with these vital documents, please come and see us.
If you need legal assistance with a new or existent non-profit organization, please print, fill out and return this application. If you are an individual seeking legal assistance with a limited-equity cooperative (HDFC), please print, fill out and return this application. For all other inquiries, please attend an HCC intake session.
