Amplifying the Unheard

As I stepped out of the new member orientation for the Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) at Harvard Law School, I felt a mix of emotions – excitement, trepidation, and a touch of nausea. A month of 1L classes had steeped me in legal doctrine, but I was eager for something more tangible. The classroom was full of abstractions and hypotheticals, and I yearned to be the lawyer I had come to law school to become.

That sense of unease only grew as I attended an eight-hour training on public housing law, case management, and intake procedures. Suddenly, the reality of representing a client whose housing was at stake within just a few weeks became all too real. The nerves reached their peak on the day of my first hearing, as I stood alongside my client, whose Section 8 voucher had been terminated.

Finding My Footing

The night before the hearing, I had practiced my opening and closing statements over and over again with my TAP team leader, remembering a time when video calls were still a novelty. On my way to the courthouse, I ran into a fellow TAP 1L, who wished me luck. All I could muster in response was, “I’m nauseous.”

But once I was seated next to my client, the jitters melted away. I had prepared diligently for the hearing, with the support of our clinical instructor and my fellow TAP members, and in that moment, all I had to do was stand with my client as she told her story and show how the law favored reinstating her voucher. And the hearing officer did just that – they heard my client and ruled that she was entitled to keep her housing assistance.

The Privilege of Representation

Now, a month away from graduation, I still feel a sense of overwhelming gratitude for my time with TAP. This program has been an integral part of my law school experience, from serving as a student representative and intake coordinator to co-presiding over the organization during the remote 2020-21 academic year.

As I’ve reflected on my TAP journey, I realize that the relationships I’ve built with my clients have been the most meaningful aspect. TAP represents low-income tenants with subsidized housing in administrative hearings, and our clients entrust us with keeping them and their families housed. Representing and advising several tenants over the years has been an immense privilege, and I’ve learned so much from them – from one client’s unwavering commitment to her recovery to another’s bravery as a survivor of domestic violence.

The Unsung Heroes

Of course, I couldn’t speak about TAP without acknowledging the critical role played by our clinical instructors and the inimitable Betty Blake, TAP’s Program Manager. The guidance and support of our clinical instructors have been invaluable, as they’ve helped us navigate the challenges of representing clients and grow into the attorneys we strive to be. And Betty – with her endless patience, wisdom, and ability to keep the program running seamlessly – has been a constant, grounding presence, especially during the remote learning year.

The Power of Community

But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of TAP has been the community of law students, past and present, who come together to serve our clients and advocate for just housing policies. These individuals carve time out of their busy schedules to represent clients, conduct intake calls, and fight for a more equitable world – all without any academic credit or compensation.

As a first-time advocate, I was initially hesitant about my ability to be effective, worried that I hadn’t done enough to earn the title. But I soon realized that HHAD, one of the largest organized lobby days in Washington State, is for everyone – not just seasoned advocates or those with personal experience. Everyone has something to contribute, whether it’s sharing a personal story or simply showing up to be heard.

The Transformative Power of Advocacy

My TAP experience has taught me that being an advocate is not about being an expert; it’s about standing alongside those whose voices often go unheard and using the power of storytelling to drive change. Campaigns like the one highlighted in Housing Finance Magazine, which gives a platform to struggling renters, are a testament to the transformative power of advocacy.

As I prepare to graduate and embark on the next chapter of my career, I know that the lessons I’ve learned through TAP will shape me as a lawyer and as a person. The relationships I’ve built, the skills I’ve honed, and the passion for housing justice that has been ignited within me will continue to drive me forward, even when the challenges feel overwhelming.

And I can’t wait to see what my fellow TAP members, past and present, will achieve as they carry on the fight for equitable access to affordable housing. Because when we come together, our voices have the power to move mountains – one hearing, one rally, one personal story at a time.

So, if you’re feeling inspired to get involved in affordable housing advocacy, I encourage you to find your local tenant advocacy organization or housing justice collective. Organizations like the Housing Advocacy and Community Collaboration (HACC) are always in need of passionate individuals who are willing to lend their time and their voice to this critical cause. After all, when we amplify the unheard, we can truly start to build the just, equitable, and affordable communities we all deserve.