VPLC Launches Website to Help Prevent Eviction

For many renters, the fear of eviction is a constant reality. Court summonses arrive in mailboxes daily, often leaving tenants unsure of what to do next or where to turn for help. To help, VPLC has launched the Eviction Defense Center, a free online resource that helps renters understand their rights, prepare for court, and respond to eviction notices. The tool—available at FightMyEviction.org—is part of VPLC’s broader effort to make justice more accessible to Virginians facing housing instability.

The Eviction Defense Center was created especially for people who can’t get direct assistance from Legal Aid programs—whether because of limited capacity, eligibility restrictions, or timing. It guides users step by step through the eviction process, helping them answer questions, fill out forms, and better understand what to expect in court.

“Going to court is an intimidating and often confusing process,” explains Phil Storey, a housing attorney with VPLC who leads the Eviction Defense Center. “People facing an eviction case without an attorney rarely get good outcomes by just winging it. The Eviction Defense Center helps them go to court informed and prepared. Plus, it’s designed to be simple to use on any smartphone or computer.”

The Eviction Defense Center is one of several innovative tools developed by VPLC to empower Virginians with knowledge about their legal rights. By combining online self-help resources with local partnerships like this one, VPLC is expanding its reach to thousands of residents who might otherwise face eviction alone.

Renters across Virginia can access the Eviction Defense Center in English at FightMyEviction.org or in Spanish at NoDesalojo.org.