Training for Housing Court Facilitators

In March 2004, OATH’s Center for Mediation Services hosted a facilitation training for the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The training focused on developing the trainees’ skills in facilitating negotiation and settlement of landlord-tenant disputes brought to New York City Housing Court. A team of three OATH judges, one law clerk, and two training consultants prepared and delivered the training for approximately 20 trainees, including HPD staff and counselors hired by four community-based organizations: South Bronx Action Group; Brooklyn Housing and Family Services; New York Urban League; and the Chinese American Planning Council.

Over the course of four days, the training team and the trainees discussed concepts including landlord-tenant law; conflict and negotiation theory; different dispute resolution processes; the daily realities of Housing Court; tolerance and diversity; and relaxation techniques. Primary emphasis was devoted to the facilitator’s role and method, as illustrated through lecture, guided instruction, and simulations. The trainees explored methods by which they could serve as an unbiased third party, opening lines of communication between often angry litigants and providing structure for discussion of disputed issues. The trainees also practiced informing disputants of relevant aspects of the applicable law and court procedure in an effort to guide the parties to a durable resolution of their dispute. At the conclusion of the training session, the trainees expressed overwhelming enthusiasm for the training.

In August 2004, the training team delivered the first in a series of follow-up management training sessions. OATH Judges Ray Kramer, Roberto Velez, and Charles McFaul led a strength-based evaluation for a select group of managers who will eventually serve as in-house trainers for the rest of the group. Next, the training team plans to present follow-up management training and on-the-job mentoring for the HPD managers.