LAWO SERVICES

Housing Programs

Without the assistance of LAWO housing attorneys and advocates, many families would lose their current housing with little or no hope of finding an alternative. Because the demand for decent, affordable housing far exceeds the current supply, a change in life circumstances such as job loss, illness, or loss of benefits could be the last step to homelessness for many low-income people.

LAWO provides help to families and individuals who are facing housing problems. In addition, clients receive assistance in enforcing their rights to safe, sanitary public and subsidized housing. LAWO attorneys may assist with:

• Wrongful evictions;
• Illegal lockout
• Utility shut-offs;
• Landlord-tenant disputes;
• Public housing or Section 8 disputes;
• Requests for repairs;
• Security deposit disputes;
• Foreclosures;
• Housing discrimination; and
• Other housing legal issues.

Legal Aid helped save Carrie's
home from foreclosure.

As a nurse, Carrie fully understood the importance of good medical care. When her 79-year-old father became seriously ill, he moved in with Carrie and her son. Her father's limited veteran's benefits barely covered his prescriptions, so Carrie found herself helping him with payment of his medical costs. As a single Mom working two jobs, she had always been careful with her bills; however, as a result of helping her father, Carrie fell behind on her mortgage.

On her own, Carrie tried to contact the mortgage company to work out payment, but had to start over with a different person every time she called. The mortgage company began to pressure Carrie for large payments—no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't catch up. A friend suggested she contact Legal Aid.

By the time Carrie contacted legal aid, her house was scheduled for auction by the sheriff. Her legal aid attorney took over calling the mortgage company. He represented Carrie at mediation and was able to negotiate a loan modification that stopped the sheriff's sale and reduced her original mortgage payments, allowing Carrie and her son to keep their home.