Suffolk Construction Supporting Law School's Veterans Legal Advocacy Project

BOSTON — February 12, 2025 — Suffolk Construction, one of the largest and most innovative real estate and construction enterprises in the country, announced its funding, partnership and support for Suffolk University Law School’s Veterans Legal Advocacy Project (V-LAP). The Advocacy Project delivers free legal services to veterans seeking assistance navigating housing law.

Veterans face persistent challenges finding and maintaining stable housing. The problem is particularly acute in Massachusetts, one of America's most expensive rental markets. Lack of safe and secure housing can lead to poorer health outcomes, homelessness, mental health crises, family disruption and loss of employment for veterans.

The V-LAP is helping veterans tackle persistent challenges that stand in the way of securing safe and secure housing, including:

• Property owners denying legally required accommodations for veterans with disabilities;
• Unsafe housing conditions that threaten veterans’ health and safety; and
• Unjust eviction attempts that put veterans at risk of homelessness.
  
  

The Project builds on the work of Suffolk University’s longstanding Housing Discrimination Testing Program (HDTP), a national leader in identifying and combatting housing discrimination and advancing affordable housing, and leverage the talent and expertise of Suffolk Law’s nationally recognized Clinical Programs and the Law School’s newly established Center for Housing Justice & Policy (CHJP) to provide direct representation, public education, and advocacy aimed at helping veterans access the housing they need and deserve.

V-LAP is also providing education and technical support in fair housing for veterans’ support providers, including Home Base. Suffolk Law’s Clinical Program operates 13 in-house legal clinics that are fully operational law offices in which students represent low- and moderate-income clients under the close supervision of faculty and staff.

"In spite of bipartisan support for veterans’ housing, discrimination and unlawful rental practices keep many veterans out of homes they could otherwise afford,” said Jamie Langowski, CHJP director and project director for V-LAP. “Veterans are being told – untruthfully and illegally – that specific accommodations can’t be made without offering them broadly to everyone.”

Suffolk Construction’s longstanding support for veterans navigating the challenges of returning to civilian life spurred the general contractor’s national collaboration with Home Base. As America’s Contractor, the company is grateful to have the opportunity to help Suffolk Law in its mission to provide legal services to veterans navigating a complex legal system.

“Suffolk Construction remains committed to assisting veterans who have selflessly served our country in the armed forces, and we are honored to play a role in helping them land on their feet when they return home,” said John Fish, Chairman and CEO of Suffolk Construction. “Our relationship with Home Base, and now Suffolk Law, is allowing us to have greater impact within the veteran community that deserves our country’s gratitude, attention and support.”

“Those who served our nation should receive our service in return," said Andrew Perlman, dean of Suffolk University Law School. "Through this partnership, our students are providing vital legal assistance to veterans facing housing challenges while developing the skills and experience essential to becoming outstanding service-oriented lawyers.”

About Suffolk Construction

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies) and innovation research/development.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $6 billion in annual revenue, 2,800 employees, and offices in Boston, Massachusetts (headquarters); New York City, New York; Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa and Estero in Florida; Dallas, Texas; Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in California; Portland, Maine; and Herndon, Virginia. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, federal government and public work, mission critical, advanced technology and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Largest Domestic Builders” and #8 on its list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com.

About Suffolk Law

Suffolk Law’s mission is to empower law students from all backgrounds and circumstances to excel professionally and contribute positively to society through a legal education that integrates practical skills, foundational knowledge, and ethics, delivered by a faculty committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. Central to that mission is Suffolk Law’s nationally recognized Clinical Program. Suffolk Law students and clinical faculty represent hundreds of clients each year, donating tens of thousands of hours of pro bono legal services to the Greater Boston community.