Fair Housing Archives - Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.

JALA and City of Jacksonville team up to save widow’s home

JALA and City of Jacksonville team up to save widow’s home

“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.

Dennis Harrison2025-03-31T17:50:37-04:00March 31st, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Veterans Services|

JALA helps clients keep their home during financial hardships

JALA helps clients keep their home during financial hardships

After facing severe financial struggles, “Charles,” not his real name, and his wife were on the verge of losing their home. Thanks to the help of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA), their situation was turned around, and they were able to retain their property. Charles, a self-employed contractor, had faced a tough financial year even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With two clients backing out of contracts, his income was significantly impacted. Despite efforts to recover, the situation worsened, and he was forced to apply for a mortgage modification. Things took a further turn for the worse as the pandemic compounded the financial strain, leaving Charles and his wife with dwindling savings and mounting pressures.

Dennis Harrison2025-03-31T17:42:57-04:00March 31st, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Tangled Title|

JALA helps client secure transfer of home and vehicle ownership

JALA helps client secure transfer of home and vehicle ownership

Following the unexpected passing of her husband, “Lisa,” not her real name, needed guidance to secure ownership of her home and vehicle. JALA Attorney Jessica Farmer assisted Lisa through the probate process, ensuring she could remain in the family home with clear legal title. Lisa’s late husband had children from a previous marriage, but they fully supported her right to the home. Under probate statutes, the children had to be included in the legal process before transferring their interest. JALA utilized a legal form called a quitclaim deed to officially place ownership in Lisa’s name. After smooth transfer of title, Lisa sought to also claim her husband’s vehicle as exempt property, allowing her to take full ownership without legal complications.

Dennis Harrison2025-02-25T14:44:25-05:00February 25th, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Tangled Title|

JALA helps client with disabilities delay a difficult move

JALA helps client with disabilities delay a difficult move

“Sam,” not his real name, turned to JALA for help after receiving a notice of nonrenewal from his landlord, leaving him with little time to find a new place to live. This was a particularly difficult situation for Sam, who uses a wheelchair due to back and leg problems. He had a lot of belongings and nowhere else to go and generally felt alone in his situation. JALA’s Veteran’s Service Unit contacted Mission United, which in turn connected Sam with a number of veteran’s service organizations to assist him with his many needs. One of his biggest needs, though, was to buy a little extra time before he had to move out. JALA attorney Richard Cloninger was key in solving that problem. He contacted the landlord on Sam’s behalf and got them to agree to give Sam an additional 30 days.

Dennis Harrison2025-02-18T14:59:36-05:00February 18th, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Veterans Services|

JALA helps client secure the benefits of home ownership through probate

JALA helps client secure the benefits of home ownership through probate

Following the death of her mother, “Kendall,” not her real name, needed help transferring the family home into her name. JALA Attorney Jessica Farmer successfully guided Kendall through the probate process to secure full ownership of her family home. Kendall had been living in the home but faced challenges with probate, the legal process required to officially claim ownership of inherited property. Fortunately, creditor concerns were not an issue, with more than two years having passed since her mother’s death. With several siblings, all of whom were on board for the probate process, the case required coordination with the family to obtain waivers, which took some time. After obtaining the deed and preparing the pleadings, Farmer filed the case and promptly requested court orders, which were granted. Kendall was thrilled to receive the orders for the title transfer. Among other benefits, gaining title to the home allowed her to claim her portion of the homestead exemption.

Dennis Harrison2025-01-27T14:10:57-05:00January 27th, 2025|Client Stories, Fair Housing, Family Law, Shelter for Elders, Tangled Title|

Jacksonville legal expert offers advice to help renters understand rights, lower rent payments

Jacksonville legal expert offers advice to help renters understand rights, lower rent payments

Legal experts and housing analysts are offered advice to help renters understand their rights and explore potential ways to negotiate lower monthly payments. RELATED: DOJ is accusing 6 major landlords of scheming to keep rents high. Two of them manage 21 properties across Jacksonville The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a lawsuit against several major U.S. landlords, alleging they engaged in price fixing by sharing sensitive data about rental prices and occupancy rates. The lawsuit has sparked concerns among renters nationwide, including in Jacksonville, where residents face rising rent costs. More than 50% of Jacksonville renters are classified as “cost-burdened,” according to data from the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida. This means over half of renters in the city are spending a significant portion of their income on housing, leaving many struggling to make ends meet. For renters facing temporary financial hardships or struggling with high rent, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid lawyer Rafael Mas emphasized the importance of proactive communication with landlords.

Dennis Harrison2025-01-17T16:32:46-05:00January 15th, 2025|Fair Housing, News|

Banks lobbyists want to slash funding for legal support programs

Banks lobbyists want to slash funding for legal support programs

With Florida's 2025 legislative approaching, banks have begun a campaign to cut funding for legal programs that help veterans, domestic violence victims, and families facing eviction and foreclosure. As Florida lawmakers prepare for their next legislative session, the banking industry is lobbying to cut funding for legal programs that support veterans, victims of domestic violence, and families facing eviction and foreclosure. Just days after the end of the 2024 elections, records show a group of banks hired two lobbying firms in Tallahassee to push for the cuts when Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature convenes early next year for the 2025 session.

Dennis Harrison2024-12-20T17:39:21-05:00December 20th, 2024|Fair Housing, News|

Saving A Home – The Power of JALA Teamwork

Saving A Home – The Power of JALA Teamwork

After years of caring for her grandmother, Shateal Redding Johnston inherited the Jacksonville home her grandmother had built in 1959 and lived in until she died at the age of 95. But soon Redding found herself at risk of losing the home to foreclosure because of fraud perpetrated by relatives. By the time the case came to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, it took two attorneys and a housing counselor to unravel and rectify a range of issues to stop the foreclosure. “They took the time to listen, to understand, and to come up with a great plan to allow me to be able to save my grandmother’s home,” Redding said. Redding had taken over the guardianship of her grandmother, Susie Mae Foster, after family members stole Foster’s money and forged her name on a reverse mortgage on the home. The foreclosure was based upon this presumably illegally obtained Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. A little over a month before her foreclosure trial, Redding turned to JALA for help. “The Court knocked Ms. Redding’s defenses relating to the fraud right away,” said JALA Attorney Lynn Drysdale. “The Court determined she could not raise the forgery and lack of mental capacity. Her case looked hopeless and became even more and more hopeless as time went on.”

Dennis Harrison2024-12-19T12:58:27-05:00December 19th, 2024|Fair Housing, Shelter for Elders|

United Way announces $4.4 million in grant funding

United Way announces $4.4 million in grant funding

United Way of Northeast Florida is thrilled to announce the grant recipients of its $4.4 million investment in providing basic needs and improving the financial well-being of families across Northeast Florida. Nearly three dozen programs received funding for an 18-month grant cycle to support meaningful outcomes that will improve economic mobility across our region. The grantees were selected following a request for proposals (RFP) process that launched in early July and closed in mid-August. The $4.4 million grant pool is made possible by contributions from thousands of donors, corporations and foundations who donate to United Way annually. To submit a proposal, an organization was required to be a 501(c)3 nonprofit leading programs that fall within United Way's focus areas of basic needs and/or financial well-being. Moreover, the applicants must serve residents in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and northern St. Johns counties.

Dennis Harrison2024-10-21T09:52:14-04:00October 20th, 2024|Fair Housing, News|

JALA helps Jacksonville woman save her home after health problems left her behind on HOA payments

JALA helps Jacksonville woman save her home after health problems left her behind on HOA payments

Due to major health issues, “Nicole” struggled to keep up with her homeowners association dues. As her illness progressed, she had to undergo multiple corrective surgeries after the original was botched, and she fell further behind on her payments, which exacerbated her already challenging circumstances. With the threat of foreclosure looming, Nicole was referred to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and connected with Joy Bryant-Baucum, a housing counselor in JALA’s Jacksonville Office. Bryant-Baucum provided guidance and support, meticulously walking Nicole through the application process for the City of Jacksonville’s Foreclosure Intervention Program funds and making sure her paperwork was promptly submitted while keeping Nicole informed at every step.

Dennis Harrison2024-08-12T14:43:13-04:00August 12th, 2024|Client Stories, Fair Housing|