Groundbreaking Access to Counsel in Evictions Program (ACE) Delivers Significant Impact for Maryland Tenants
BALTIMORE, MD (January 15, 2025) – The Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC), The Maryland Access to Justice Commission, and the Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) Task Force today announced the groundbreaking successes of the ACE program as detailed in Stout Risius Ross, LLC’s Independent Evaluation. This transformative program, established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021, ensures income-eligible Marylanders facing eviction have access to legal representation, a critical lifeline for housing stability and tenant rights.
Ace Program Key Highlights
- Eviction Prevention and Stabilization: Of the 87% of tenants who expressed a desire to remain in their homes, an outstanding 88% were able to do so with ACE representation. The program closed 9,196 cases in this period, directly impacting 21,000 Maryland residents, including 9,100 children.
- Economic Benefits: For every dollar invested in the ACE program, Maryland realized an estimated $3.04 in fiscal and economic benefits, translating to a total impact of $46.7 million in just one year.
- Equity in Justice: ACE attorneys significantly leveled the playing field in eviction proceedings, reducing disruptive displacement for 84% of tenants served, while addressing systemic disparities in every county in the state. Approximately 86% of clients identified as non-white, and 72% identified as female, reflecting the program’s emphasis on equity and justice.
- Averting Homelessness: The program ensured housing stability for the most vulnerable, with 36% of tenants stating they would have no alternative housing if evicted.
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown praised the program’s successes: “The ACE program is an unprecedented initiative to address the deep inequities in eviction cases, where tenants have historically been at a disadvantage. This program has already kept thousands of Marylanders in their homes, and we will continue to build on its momentum.”
MLSC Executive Director Michelle Daugherty Siri emphasized the collaboration behind the program’s impact: “Through strategic partnerships and the dedication of legal service providers, the ACE program has shown how meaningful access to counsel can transform lives and communities.”
ACE Task Force Chair Reena Shah highlighted the program’s role in advancing equity while being cost effective: “ACE is not only about keeping families housed and communities stable; it is about ensuring that justice is accessible to all Marylanders, regardless of race, gender, or income. This program is a national model on how to implement humane, but also cost-effective solutions.”
As ACE continues its phased implementation, the partners call on stakeholders to sustain this vital initiative through ongoing support and funding. Together, the program’s success demonstrates Maryland’s commitment to fairness, equity, and housing stability.
The Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) program was established in 2021 by the Maryland General Assembly. Administered by MLSC, ACE provides legal representation to tenants facing eviction whose household income is at or below 50% of the state median income. The program aims for full statewide implementation by October 2025.
For more information about the ACE program and how to access services, please call 211 or visit www.legalhelpmd.org. ###