MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS), which represents hundreds of low-income people, the majority of their casework dealing with evictions, is losing its largest source of funding starting June 30.
“We are uncertain, other than what has been put in the press, what we haven’t done," Loyce Ryan, MALS interim CEO, said. "We have served 2,700 cases approximately. Poverty in this majority-minority city is different than poverty in the rural area."
Some clients who got free legal help and advice said they are concerned, including Dominic Barnes, who said she doesn't think MALS should be taken away.
The millions of dollars of funding sustained a resource for Barnes six months ago as she battled mold and sewage problems in her rental home in October of 2023.
After getting no response from her landlord, she contacted MALS seeking information about her rights as a tenant and the responsibilities of property owners.
“It takes a lot of courage to stand up to your landlord," Barnes said. "A lot of people are afraid, a lot of people are embarrassed. They are ashamed. So, a lot of times, of course, it's going to go unnoticed. Where can they go? Who can they turn to?"
Though MALS is not complying with certain conditions, like staffing, they can reapply for this grant.
“They said, 'You need to do this, this and this.' They enumerated many things," Ryan said. "I was brought in as a new interim CEO, and we have a new COO (Chief Operating Officer) we brought in to help get in compliance with conditions.”