Who We Serve

GBLS represents low-income individuals and families in Boston and 31 additional cities and towns in the Greater Boston area, assisting individual clients to secure some of the most basic necessities of life as well as addressing systemic problems that adversely impact their lives. We also represent community groups in advancing the interests of their low-income constituents and provide community legal education. We give advice and represent people in court, before agencies, and before city councils and the state legislature.

In 2023, GBLS handled over 13,500 matters, providing critical legal assistance to nearly 11,000 people living in poverty. Of the clients we served, 66% identify as women; 84% identify as people of color; and 20% were ages 60 and older. Our caseload broke down as follows: 30% housing; 17% immigration; 14% employment/unemployment; 10% income maintenance; 8% consumer rights; 7% family; 5% criminal record history (CORI) sealing or expungement; 3% health and disability; 2% Social Security or SSI; and 4% fell into other categories.

Legal Problems Handled   

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