New Orleans' tenant Right to Counsel program, the city-backed effort that pays lawyers to stand with renters in eviction court, has taken a major hit in the 2026 budget. The nonprofit that runs it says it is already dipping into reserve funds to keep attorneys in court, and tenant advocates warn that fewer funded hours will mean many renters will show up to their first, and often decisive, eviction hearing without a lawyer.
City budget and contract records show funding for the program dropped from roughly $2.3 million in 2025 to a $1.3 million appropriation this year. The city contracted Southeast Louisiana Legal Services for about $2.312 million in 2025, according to city contract documents. Program partners now say the administration can earmark only about $575,000 for Right to Counsel work in 2026, a gap they say will sharply limit who actually gets a lawyer in eviction court, as reported by NOLA.
Laura Tuggle, executive director of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, told reporters the nonprofit briefly tapped its reserve funds to keep attorneys on the dockets and that it has “no immediate plans to cut back services to tenants.” Still, she warned that the reduced city appropriation will strain capacity, and program partners say the shortfall will force tighter outreach and tougher intake decisions about who can receive full representation.
What the data shows
Independent monitoring has found that the program meaningfully changes what happens in court. Jane Place's monitoring and evaluation found that tenants with lawyers were far more likely to avoid an eviction judgment on their record, with many cases ending in dismissal or consent agreements after counsel got involved. The reports also show a sharp jump in representation after the city adopted a permanent Right to Counsel ordinance and document major differences in outcomes when tenants do, and do not, have attorneys. Jane Place's evaluation is the most recent source of court-monitoring data and analysis.
City budget moves and what comes next
The cuts land as the Moreno administration tries a mix of one-time and structural fixes to close a multi-million-dollar hole in the city budget, including a $125 million revenue anticipation note and targeted staffing measures aimed at stabilizing cash flow. The city's Budget/Audit committee summary details those moves, and reporting indicates the administration also pulled back a planned $110 million bond sale in the middle of the fiscal squeeze and a tense political back-and-forth with state officials. Coverage from the Louisiana Radio Network outlines the maneuvers and their potential ripple effects across city programs.
Legal implications
The tenant Right to Counsel ordinance, passed by the City Council in 2022, guarantees legal help for renters facing eviction, at least on paper. The promise depends on steady funding and contractor capacity. If appropriations fall short, advocates and some attorneys warn the program may not be able to keep up with demand, undercutting the law's intent and leaving more tenants to navigate eviction court alone.
Tenants facing eviction are still urged to seek help early. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and partner organizations continue to operate hotlines and courthouse intake, even as budgets tighten. For basic information and local resources, renters can consult the Orleans Civil District Court’s rental-assistance and Right to Counsel guidance and contact SLLS for intake and appointments. The Orleans Civil District Court lists help lines and program contacts.
Council members and advocates say upcoming budget hearings and council votes later this summer are the key events to watch. Depending on how the fiscal picture shakes out, the city could reshuffle existing funds internally, plug the gap with new one-time revenue, or move ahead with program reductions. City and nonprofit leaders say their immediate priority is keeping lawyers in court while they haggle over longer-term funding fixes.
