MLAC Thanks Governor Healey, Massachusetts Legislature for Civil Legal Aid Funding in FY27 Budget

BOSTON, July 10, 2026– MLAC is grateful the FY27 budget just signed by Governor Maura Healey includes strong investments in civil legal aid: $51 million for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s (MLAC) line item 0321-1600, and $3 million for the Access to Counsel Program (administered by MLAC) through line item 0321-1800, a $500,000 increase over FY26.

“I am grateful to Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature for this commitment to the critical civil legal aid services that make our Commonwealth stronger,” says Lynne Parker, Executive Director of MLAC. “Every day, civil legal aid advocates across Massachusetts are working on life-changing cases that protect some of our most vulnerable residents.”

MLAC-funded civil legal aid organizations represent people with low incomes who are struggling with issues related to housing, employment, health care, domestic safety, and more. Households with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level ($41,250 per year for a family of four; $19,950 for an individual in 2026) qualify for civil legal aid.

The Access to Counsel Program (ATCP) launched in January 2025 has been representing low-income tenants and landlords in eviction cases across the Commonwealth. The results show progress and positive outcomes. In its first full year, nearly 1,200 ATCP cases were opened. In 87% of ATCP eviction cases closed on behalf of tenants, an eviction was either prevented or delayed.

“A weakened economy, rising inflation, federal program cuts, and federal policy changes are making it even more challenging for people in poverty to meet their basic needs,” Parker says. “State funding for civil legal aid is crucial to sustaining this fundamental safety net program.”

In addition to the Governor and the Legislature, MLAC thanks the Equal Justice Coalition and our allies in the private bar for their ongoing leadership and advocacy efforts.

Statement on House Ways and Means Committee’s FY27 Budget

BOSTON, April 15, 2026– Earlier today, the House Committee on Ways and Means issued its FY27 state budget recommendation, which includes $52 million for civil legal aid through the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s (MLAC) line item 0321-1600. This is an increase of $1 million over FY26 funding. The House also allocated $3 million for the Access to Counsel Program (ATCP) through line item 0321-1800. ATCP provides legal representation for low-income renters and owner-occupant landlords in eviction cases. The program received $2.5 million from the Legislature in FY26.

“MLAC is grateful for the increased in funding for civil legal aid and the Access to Counsel Program in the House budget. We look forward to continuing our work with the Legislature as the budget process progresses. Civil legal aid is a lifeline for Massachusetts residents with low incomes facing a crisis,” says MLAC Executive Director Lynne Parker.

“People with low incomes are hurting. A weakened economy, rising inflation, and deep program cuts and policy changes at the federal level are making it even more challenging for people in poverty to meet their basic needs – including safe and affordable housing, adequate food, and access to health care for their families,” said Parker.  “This increased funding will help civil legal aid organizations serve more people and families facing serious legal issues.”

 

MLAC Responds to Governor Healey’s FY27 Budget

BOSTON, January 29, 2026 – Yesterday, Governor Maura Healey issued her FY27 state budget recommendations, which included $52 million for civil legal aid through the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s (MLAC) line item 0321-1600. This represents a $1 million increase for civil legal aid services over the current funding level of $51 million. 

“We are grateful to Governor Healey for increasing the state’s investment in the MLAC line item in her FY27 budget recommendation,” said Lynne Parker, Executive Director of MLAC. “This funding will help civil legal aid organizations across Massachusetts, which serve as a lifeline for people with low incomes who are facing challenges related to housing, domestic safety, health care access, education equity, consumer protection, and more. MLAC is the single largest funder of these organizations, which provide critical representation and resources to Massachusetts residents in crisis.”   

To qualify for legal assistance, people and families must have incomes at or below 125% of the poverty level—$41,250 for a family of four or $19,950 for an individual in 2026.   

In addition to stabilizing individuals and families, the state’s annual investment in civil legal aid brings significant cost savings to the Commonwealth as a whole. In FY25, according to MLAC data, legal aid organizations secured an estimated $113.5 million in economic benefits for the Commonwealth and its residents, an increase of $4.5 million over FY24 ($109 million).  

MLAC-funded legal aid organizations handled more than 46,890 cases in FY25, impacting more than  98,900 people across the Commonwealth, with 94% of cities and towns having at least one person with a case handled by a legal aid organization.  

For more information on civil legal aid, MLAC, and the organizations it funds, visit www.mlac.org. 

Hundreds of lawyers, supporters “Walk to the Hill” advocating for increased funding for civil legal aid 

BOSTON – The Equal Justice Coalition will host its annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Massachusetts State House, marking more than a quarter-century of advocacy for equal access to justice. 

The event brings hundreds of Massachusetts attorneys, law students, and other justice advocates from across the Commonwealth to meet with state legislators and urge strong support for civil legal aid.  

Civil legal aid provides legal representation, guidance, and resources to individuals and families with low incomes who face legal challenges affecting basic needs—including housing stability, safety from abuse, access to benefits, and family security. In Massachusetts, households with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level qualify for civil legal aid services. That equates to $40,187 annually for a family of four and $19,562 for an individual. 

“Behind every number is a person in crisis: a veteran struggling to afford groceries; a mother making the difficult decision to leave her abusive spouse and protect her children; an aging senior afraid of losing her home as medical bills pile up,” says MLAC Director, Lynne Parker.  

“Civil legal aid is a lifeline for Massachusetts residents in crisis. As the economy weakens and changes to federal benefit programs leave fewer people eligible for aid, our neighbors with low incomes will face an increased need for legal help.” 

The event will feature remarks from state and local bar association leaders, as well as a client who will share her personal story of how civil legal aid changed her family’s life. Following the speaking program, participants will meet with their senators and representatives to discuss why increased public investment in civil legal aid is essential to ensuring justice for all. 

The Equal Justice Coalition is a partnership of the Boston Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC). The Coalition advocates for robust state funding for civil legal aid programs that serve tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents each year. 

Event Details
27th Annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133 

Speakers: 

  • Host: Louis Tompros, Chair, Equal Justice Coalition 
  • Lynne Parker, Executive Director, Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation 
  • Suma V. Nair, President, Boston Bar Association 
  • Michael H. Hayden, President, Massachusetts Bar Association 
  • A legal aid client who received help over the past year  

Walk to the Hill is free and open to the public and media. Registration information is available at equaljusticecoalition.org/walk. 

Equal Justice Coalition
Website: www.equaljusticecoalition.org
Social Media: @equaljusticema
Hashtag: #WalktotheHill26 

MLAC Welcomes Attorneys Carolyn Hely and Nina Sousa to Board of Directors

BOSTON, MA — The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) is pleased to announce the appointments of attorneys Carolyn Hely and Nina Sousa to its Board of Directors. MLAC is the Commonwealth’s largest funding source for civil legal aid organizations, which provide critical representation and resources to people with low incomes facing barriers to basic needs. 

Carolyn Hely is an Assistant District Attorney at the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecutes homicides and other serious felonies including domestic violence and sexual assault cases. Her work reflects a deep commitment to public service and to addressing complex matters within the justice system. 

Hely is also an active leader within the legal community. She is a former president of the Bar Association of Norfolk County and continues to support the association’s free legal clinics and conciliation program, helping to expand access to justice for individuals and families across the region.  

Nina Sousa is the founder of Sousa Family Law, where she represents clients in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and guardianships. In addition to her private practice, Sousa serves in several specialized roles within the court system, including as an Attorney Representing Children, Guardian ad Litem, professional parenting time supervisor, and Committee for Public Counsel Services panel attorney. 

Throughout her career, Sousa has devoted herself to working directly with families, juveniles, courts, schools, law enforcement, and mental health professionals, developing a holistic understanding of the challenges facing children and families navigating the legal system. Prior to founding her firm, she served as Director of Fall River’s South Coast Youth Courts, where she focused on youth-centered justice and community-based solutions.  

“Carolyn and Nina each bring valuable perspectives to MLAC’s Board,” said Lynne Parker, Executive Director of MLAC. “Their combined experience strengthens our efforts to expand access to justice for people with low incomes throughout Massachusetts.” 

For more information about MLAC and its work, please visit mlac.org.  

MLAC Thanks Governor Healey, Massachusetts Legislature for Supporting Civil Legal Aid in FY26 Budget

BOSTON, July 7, 2025– On July 4, Governor Maura Healey signed the Massachusetts FY26 Budget. The budget includes $51 million for civil legal aid through the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s (MLAC) line item 0321-1600. It also includes $2.5 million for the Access to Counsel program, line item 0321-1800. 

 

“I am sincerely grateful to Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature for sustaining strong investments in civil legal aid in the state’s FY26 Budget,” says Lynne Parker, Executive Director of MLAC. “Civil legal aid is needed now more than ever to protect the lives, health, safety, and stability of Massachusetts residents with low incomes struggling to meet their basic needs.”  

  

Households with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level ($40,187 per year for a family of four; $19,562 for an individual) qualify for civil legal aid. The latest census data show that more than 325,700 people in Massachusetts live in extreme poverty, defined as having incomes below 50% of the poverty line ($16,075 for a family of four; $7,825 for an individual). This group now represents 38% of the clients eligible for legal aid.  

 

The FY26 $2.5 million appropriation for Access to Counsel will enable legal aid organizations to continue to provide full representation in eviction cases. Access to Counsel serves low-income tenants and low-income owner-occupants facing eviction. “MLAC is excited to move forward with our partners to establish a permanent statewide Access to Counsel program in eviction cases,” says Parker. 

 

MLAC thanks the Massachusetts Legislature for its longstanding commitment to civil legal aid and appreciates the advocacy efforts of the Equal Justice Coalition and our allies in the private bar.  

Facing a cost of more than $1 billion, Healey proposes dramatic changes to emergency shelter system (Boston Globe)

Below is an excerpt from a Boston Globe article published On November 24. It discusses new changes implemented to the Emergency Shelter System by Governor Healey, with hopes of alleviating financial pressures on the state. Advocates say the new regulations will continue to constrain and force families into homelessness. Massachusetts Law Reform Institute’s Andrea Park is quoted.

Governor Maura Healey said Friday she will seek to cap stays in emergency shelters for homeless and migrant families to six months, marking her latest effort to contain spending within a strained shelter system that is projected to cost the state nearly $1.1 billion this fiscal year.

If approved by the Legislature, Healey’s proposal would slice three months off the maximum time families are allowed in shelters, which itself was among the first restrictions the state put on shelter stays since the inception of Massachusetts’ right-to-shelter law four decades ago.

The proposal is one of several dramatic changes Healey’s administration will impose — or try to impose — in the coming weeks and months. State officials said Friday they intend to “phase out” the use of hotels and motels to shelter homeless families, a task that proved a years-long effort for Healey’s predecessor. Healey said she will also ask lawmakers to increase subsidies available to families looking for long-term housing to help move more of them out of shelter.

More immediately, state officials said they are creating a new, two-track system for eligible homeless and migrant families seeking shelter. Starting Dec. 10, many families will be allowed to stay for 30 business days in so-called temporary respite centers; they’re currently capped at five days, which critics have argued is “cruel” and has helped push families to the street.

Read more at the Boston Globe.

MLAC Welcomes Livia Gonzalez as the Newest Client Board Member Appointee

BOSTON, September 9, 2024 —The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) is thrilled to announce that Livia Gonzalez has been appointed the newest member of its Board of Directors. Selected by the Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Livia will serve her first term as a Client Board Member.   

A passionate advocate for civil legal aid and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Livia brings a wealth of experience as a dedicated caregiver and prior Community Legal Aid board member. Her retail management background and commitment to community service highlight her capacity to build and maintain relationships.   

Livia’s journey as a primary caregiver for her terminally ill son lends valuable insight into the challenges faced by clients with low incomes. This makes her an essential voice for those served by MLAC-funded legal aid organizations. The Board welcomes Livia and is confident that her contributions will further advance the mission of providing equitable access to legal services.   

Lynne Parker, MLAC Executive Director, emphasized the significance of Livia’s appointment, stating, “We are honored to welcome Livia to our Board. Her firsthand experience and deep understanding of legal aid will be instrumental in shaping our discussions and advancing our mission.”  

In her own words, Livia expressed her gratitude: “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve on the MLAC Board. I am committed to advocating for individuals and families with low incomes, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and support to survive and thrive. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”  

For more information about Livia Gonzalez and the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, please visit www.mlac.org. 

MLAC Announces Thomas Bond’s Appointment to the Board of Directors

BOSTON, MA — Thomas Bond, founding and managing partner at the Kaplan/Bond Group, was recently appointed by the Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s (MLAC) Board of Directors for a five-year term. MLAC is the largest funding source for civil legal aid organizations in the Commonwealth. 

During his extensive career, Bond has represented individuals and workers from underserved communities, focusing on maritime death and injury cases. As a former Massachusetts Bar Association president, Bond worked with partner organizations in the legal community to increase diversity and inclusion at the MBA and support equitable pathways for advancement in the profession. Bond currently serves on the MBA’s executive management board and the House of Delegates, is an Oliver Wendell Holmes fellow with the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, and is the president-elect of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys.  

As a distinguished legal advocate, Bond brings with him a proven track record of serving clients and enhancing access to justice. His insights will be invaluable to MLAC as it continues its mission to provide essential legal resources to residents with low incomes across Massachusetts. 

“Attorney Bond is a welcome addition to the MLAC Board of Directors,” said MLAC’s Executive Director Lynne Parker. “His knowledge and experience in the legal field will help guide our efforts to improve legal access for all.”  

Bond expressed enthusiasm about the new role, stating, “I am honored to contribute to the mission of MLAC. Everyone deserves access to quality legal assistance, and I look forward to working with the board to advance this important cause.”  

For more information about Thomas Bond and the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, please visit www.mlac.org.

MLAC Thanks Governor Healey for Supporting Critical Civil Legal Aid Investments in FY25 Conference Budget

BOSTON, July 29, 2024 – Earlier today, Governor Maura Healey announced her decision on the FY25 Budget. The budget includes $51 million for civil legal aid through the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s (MLAC) line item 0321-1600. This represents a $2 million increase over the FY24 funding level. 

“I am very grateful that Governor Healey’s action today increases funding for civil legal aid organizations,” says MLAC Executive Director Lynne Parker. “MLAC is proud to support these vital services, which transform lives and help people with low incomes gain stability. Demand for these vital services is considerably high and currently approximately 50 percent of people who apply for legal aid and meet income eligibility requirements are turned away due to a lack of resources.” 

Massachusetts civil legal aid organizations play a critical role in our state’s network of safety net programs, serving people with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. In 2024, that is $39,000 for a family of four and $18,825 for an individual. Legal aid is a proven intervention with far-reaching results: MLAC data shows legal aid secured an estimated $100 million in economic benefits for the Commonwealth and its residents in FY23. 

MLAC is grateful to the Legislature for their continued investment in civil legal aid and appreciates the longstanding efforts of the Equal Justice Coalition and our allies in the private bar. The Equal Justice Coalition (EJC) includes members of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association; managing partners of many of the state’s largest law firms; corporate in-house counsels; representatives from area law schools; and social services organizations across the Commonwealth.