The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. and Legal Assistance of Western New York will each receive $125,000 under the Education and Outreach Initiative.

This program offers support for fair housing activities that educate the public and housing providers about equal opportunity in housing and compliance with the fair housing laws.

County Attorney Stephen Abdella, future County Attorney Pat Slagle, County Executive PJ Wendel

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel has appointed Pat Slagle as the new County Attorney.

Slagle will begin his new position in January 2023, replacing current County Attorney Stephen Abdella, who is retiring from the position on or about January 1, 2023.

Slagle has served as First Assistant County Attorney for the Chautauqua County Law Department since February 2022 and previously was an Assistant Social Services Attorney with the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services.

Prior to working for the County, Slagle was a Supervising Attorney at Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. He is also a current member of the Jamestown Bar Association, New York State School Board Association, and Jamestown Public Schools Board of Education.

Slagle currently resides in Jamestown with his wife and their two children.

Legal Assistance of Western New York

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is distributing the grants which are being awarded to legal service providers to assist in providing legal assistance to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction. The Eviction Protection Grant Program is part of HUD’s continued work to support families recovering from the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

HUD Deputy Regional Administrator for New York Stephen Murphy said, “HUD’s award of Eviction Protection Grants to Legal Assistance of Western New York comes at a critical time as New York State’s moratorium on COVID-related evictions is scheduled to expire on January 15, 2022. This funding will allow the grantees to provide essential legal assistance at no cost to low-income tenants facing eviction, including those living in rural areas.”

Legal Assistance of Western New York can be contacted at lawny.org.

Legal Assistance of Western New York

Among the activities that will be conducted by the organizations is addressing discriminatory practices in under-served communities. The funds are the first ARP competitive grants that focus directly on the unequal impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on communities of color, low-income communities, and other vulnerable populations. Specific activities that will be carried out include responding to housing inquiries, investigating fair housing complaints, conducting fair housing testing, providing legal assistance, conducting education and outreach, and covering costs associated with providing services related to the pandemic.

LAW New York has offices in downtown Jamestown. People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777.