Impact of the Homeless Persons Representation Project

The Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP) uses the law to achieve
an end to homelessness in Maryland.
Targeted Legal Services

What is Unique About HPRP?

HPRP is the only legal services program in Maryland that works to end homelessness. HPRP is not a general legal services
provider; HPRP targets its legal work on issues that will directly prevent or eliminate homelessness.

Community-based Approach
HPRP Staff and Volunteers conduct outreach and meet with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in
shelters, soup kitchens, community-based associations and on the street to provide legal representation.

Education and Advocacy

HPRP Staff conduct forums in the community for clients, service providers and others on legal issues confronting people
who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. HPRP Staff address systemic hurdles to ending homelessness, including
improving government services, programs and laws, with knowledge derived from client experiences.

HPRP Programs
Our Staff and Volunteers target legal services on issues that will directly assist someone in moving from homelessness
into housing or in keeping the housing they need. These are examples of some of HPRPs programs:
Helping Homeless Veterans: HPRP operates a legal clinic twice monthly at the VA Medical Center Annex in Baltimore, where homeless veterans who are receiving medical treatment can also receive legal assistance. In February 2015,
HPRP opened a similar legal clinic on the grounds of the VA Medical Center in Perry Point, Cecil County.


HPRP makes a difference: Beth* is a veteran of the United States Air Force. She has several serious medical conditions which worsened over the years and made it impossible for her to keep working. Beth eventually became
homeless with no income, living in a shelter in Baltimore City. An HPRP attorney represented Beth in her claim for VA
service-connected benefits and she was awarded a 90% disability rating resulting in a back award of $16,000 and monthly
benefits of $1,689. Another HPRP attorney also represented Beth in her administrative hearing for disability benefits at
the Social Security Administration. Beth won her hearing and was awarded back benefits of $23,000 and monthly benefits
of $871. Beth now has monthly income of over $2,500 and she is no longer homeless.
Housing Homeless Families: Recognizing that housing is the major solution to homelessness, HPRP represents families and individuals in their attempts to move out of shelters and into permanent housing.

HPRP makes a difference: Georgia resided at an emergency shelter for over a year with her three minor
children. She was referred for a Section 8 voucher through Baltimore Citys permanent supportive housing program, but
was denied the voucher because the Housing Authority claimed she owed $388 from a prior tenancy many years ago.
Georgia had the money to pay off the debt, but the Housing Authority still denied her voucher stating it was too late to
pay. An HPRP staff attorney represented Georgia and her Section 8 voucher was approved, allowing her to move out of
shelter and into a new home for her and her children.
Eliminating Barriers to Employment: Criminal records pose a significant barrier to the ability of homeless people to access housing and employment. HPRP works to eliminate barriers to employment and housing by representing
homeless people in proceedings to expunge records of non-convictions and convictions for nuisance offenses.

HPRP makes a difference: Catherine was a 21 year old foster youth who wanted to pursue a career in
health care but had been rejected from even volunteering at a hospital due to a single criminal charge for which she
had never been convicted. An HPRP Attorney represented Catherine and petitioned the Court to grant an early expungement of her charge for good cause. The Court granted Catherine an early expungement and she plans to enroll in
college next year to pursue her goal of becoming a nurse.

*Client names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Who is HPRP?
HPRP has a staff of 8 attorneys who work with over 330 volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students to
provide legal services, education and advocacy to prevent and eliminate homelessness. HPRP handles nearly
1000 client matters each year.