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Local attorney offers tenant legal‑assistance nonprofit and small‑claims tools
Summary
At the June 30 committee meeting, attorney Ben Alhamdi introduced Housing Resolution Collaborative, a nonprofit offering mediation, volunteer representation and automated small‑claims guidance to help tenants avoid evictions and navigate legal filings.
An attorney who said he licensed in Kansas and Missouri introduced a volunteer nonprofit to help tenants avoid eviction and to provide practical small‑claims assistance.
Ben Alhamdi told the Public Health and Safety Committee he founded Housing Resolution Collaborative to mediate landlord‑tenant disputes, connect tenants to volunteer attorneys and to develop online tools that generate small‑claims documents. "I've helped more than 300 people. 90% of these tenants, we resolve the case before going to the trial," he said.
Alhamdi described plans for online dispute resolution and time‑stamped messaging systems to encourage civil negotiations, and he said he is working with local law schools to build volunteer capacity. He also proposed automated document generation for small‑claims filings to lower procedural barriers for tenants.
Committee members thanked Alhamdi and discussed practical next steps including providing in‑person meeting space in Topeka and possibly funding or coordinating with existing counseling providers. Topeka Tenants representatives and other commenters said tenant legal help is an important part of a broader strategy that includes data, education and improved enforcement.
Next steps: Alhamdi agreed to leave literature and contact information at the meeting and staff indicated they may coordinate with him and existing providers to arrange in‑person or scheduled sessions for tenants.
