For our neighbors living in poverty, something as simple as a minor car repair can lead to eviction. That was almost the case for “Arthur,” 63, a disabled resident of a Jacksonville Housing Authority public housing complex for older adults and people with disabilities. Arthur had been paying rent of $249 a month out of his $862 monthly Social Security check for seven years when his old Mercury sedan, which he used to go grocery shopping and to doctor’s appointments, developed a severe leak from a hole in the oil pan. After paying for two failed attempts to repair it, Arthur received a warning notice and then an eviction notice from the housing authority because the oil from his car was damaging the parking lot and grassy areas of the complex where he had parked. Arthur acknowledged the problem, but he couldn’t afford further repairs to the car. To stop the eviction and avoid homelessness, Arthur sought help from JALA. His JALA attorney contested the eviction at an administrative hearing before the Jacksonville Housing Authority hearing officer, whose decision allowed Arthur to remain in his home so long as he agreed to keep his car off the property until he could afford to have it fixed properly. Arthur also agreed to pay JHA’s alleged clean-up costs. He then kept the car nearby until he was able to save enough money to pay for the parts and labor for a new oil pan, at which point he was able to resume parking at his home.
