Name changed for privacy; photo not the client.
“Valerie,” the widow of a veteran, was in imminent danger of losing her home to foreclosure when she reached out to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid for help.
The home was set to go up for auction within three weeks when JALA Housing Counselor Marissa Vetter leapt into action on her case.
“I was very terrified of losing my home,” Valerie said. “She understood the urgency and wanted to help me right away with the limited time that we had. She sent me the list of documents I needed to get. I got her all the documents she needed me to get and completed the required financial education courses.”
Vetter said the resolution of the case happened in record time, in large part because of Valerie’s diligence, but also because of teamwork involving staff from both JALA and the City of Jacksonville’s Foreclosure Intervention Program, which provided funds to help Valerie get caught up on her mortgage.
“It took us only 10 business days from the first meeting with the client to canceling the sale date,” Vetter said. “It was a team effort. I always tell my clients when they get funds from this program, they’re very lucky to be in Jacksonville since it’s the only funding of this kind in Northeast Florida.”
Valerie expressed heartfelt appreciation for the City of Jacksonville and for Vetter.
“She was strict in letting me know that I must meet her deadline in getting all the paperwork to her because of how little time she had due to the sales date of my home, but I knew that it was because she really wanted to help me. She was really easy to work with. She gave me comfort in knowing that she loves her job and helping.”
Having received financial education along with the assistance from JALA and the City, Valerie is now determined to remain current on her mortgage.
“Now that my home has been saved, I will be sure to keep up with my payments to stay on the right path,” she said.
About Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.
If you are an attorney interested in volunteering with housing-related issues, please contact Debra Talley, Pro Bono Case Placement Manager, at debra.talley@jaxlegalaid.org, or visit https://www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono/.
