Testing Unbundled Legal Services in Housing Court: An RCT

Bernalillo County, New Mexico (Albuquerque) residents consistently experience eviction at a rate (4.5%) nearly twice the national average (2.3%) and higher than the state overall (3.2%). In response, New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA), which provides free, direct legal services to over 5000 low-income residents, has instituted a lawyer-for-the-day program to assist qualifying tenants with their eviction lawsuits. Yet the public’s demand for their services far exceeds the supply. A research team combining scholars at the University of New Mexico, University of Arizona, and Harvard University will partner with NMLA to evaluate an “unbundled” version of its lawyer-for-the-day model, with any eye toward maximizing service provision subject to resource constraints. This pilot study will randomly assign individuals to one of three service options: (1) written information about tenants’ legal rights in eviction; (2) brief advice from a lawyer; or (3) full representation, and measure differences in case outcomes. The results will inform a more comprehensive RCT evaluation and provide preliminary evidence on the value of unbundled assistance.