Memphis Area Legal Service working to meet federal standards [Video]

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 …