Thank you, Chair Krueger and Chair Weinstein, for the opportunity to submit this testimony to

the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Housing. This testimony is presented by Kevin M.

Quinn, Director of Impact Litigation at the Center for Elder Law & Justice. The Center for Elder

Law & Justice (“CELJ”) has been serving the Western New York region for over 40 years,

providing free civil legal services to older adults, persons with disabilities, and low-income

families. CELJ’s primary goal is to use the legal system to assure that individuals may live

independently and with dignity. CELJ also provides for policy and systems change, particularly

in the areas of housing, elder abuse prevention, nursing home reform, and consumer protection.

Currently, CELJ provides full legal representation in ten counties of Western New York. CELJ’s

Free Senior Legal Advice Helpline is open to all of New York State. CELJ operates a central

office in downtown Buffalo, with three additional offices in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and

Niagara counties.