Clinic: Housing Policy

• Semester: Fall 2024
• Course ID: 697C
• Credit Hours: 6
• Unique: 28815

Special Instructions

Description

Housing Policy Clinic – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)

Students in the Housing Policy Clinic work on cutting-edge policy projects to systemically advance low-income persons’ access to affordable, just, and secure housing. The Housing Policy Clinic offers law students:

• Deep engagement in the housing policy and law reform landscape
• The opportunity to develop public policy solutions and legal reforms to the nation’s most pressing housing challenges
• Close interaction with clients and other housing policy stakeholders
• Development of an expansive range of lawyering skills, including:
  • Creative problem solving
  • Translating research findings into actionable and impactful policies
  • Law and policy analysis
  • Interviewing and counseling
  • Oral and written advocacy

Projects

HPC students work in teams of two to three students on one to two policy projects, working closely with the clinic faculty, clients, and other stakeholders, including housing advocacy organizations, government officials, and community organizations. Over the course of the semester, students complete a number of written deliverables for their clients, such as policy briefs, research reports, know your rights materials, model laws, and regulatory guidance. Students also have the opportunity to hone their oral advocacy skills, such as through delivering testimony to legislative and regulatory bodies.

Classroom

In the classroom, HPC students discuss current and emerging housing law and policy issues and hear from guest speakers actively working in the housing policy and housing justice space. In the classroom, we also focus on skill development through hands-on exercises to support the Clinic’s housing policy projects. Classes include time to work in teams on clinic projects, although students should expect to spend additional time on their projects outside of the classroom.

Time commitment

HPC students should expect to spend a total of 16-18 hours per week in the Clinic, including work on their policy projects, class time, and class assignments. 

Additional information

This is a six-credit hour clinic that is offered only in the fall (although students who have completed the Clinic may apply to participate as advanced clinic students for the spring semester). Grading is on a pass/fail basis. 

There are no prerequisites for this Clinic, but an application is required. Students are encouraged to apply for the Clinic early as enrollment is limited.

For more information, contact Professor Heather Way at hway@law.utexas.edu.