Client Stories - evictionlegalhelp.org

Pro Bono Attorney Keeps Single Mother and Her Kids Housed After Months of Uncertainty

May 3, 2021

Mintz Attorney Deborah Frisch

Rosa, a single mother of three, worked as a Patient Care Assistant on a COVID unit. Early in the pandemic, Rosa was furloughed and began to fall behind on her rent. When she returned to work, Rosa, who was then pregnant with her third child, developed pregnancy complications and was forced to take an early, unpaid maternity leave.

Rosa gave birth to her third child in September 2020 and resumed work shortly after. Rosa tried to keep up with her rent payments as best as she could, and made partial payments anytime she received extra income.

South Coastal Counties Legal Services Supports Tenant Facing Eviction After His Wife’s Death

April 20, 2021

CELHP Attorney Lisa Marshall

CELHP Paralegal Sharifa Derby

When Robert first contacted South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS), he was facing an eviction for nonpayment of rent. In November, his wife had died. Between the two of them, they were only just able to make ends meet. Without her financial contribution, there was no way for Robert to afford the rent.

De Novo Helps Tenant Dodge Disaster at the 11th Hour

April 15, 2021

CELHP Attorney Emily Dasey

In November 2019, Julia lost an eviction trial for non-payment of rent and her landlord was given a court order to evict her. The court’s order is called an execution – a frightening term for tenants. The landlord, however, never used the execution and Julia and her elderly mother remained in their home. It was an uneasy peace, but it kept them housed and allowed them to stay safe when the COVID pandemic hit.

MetroWest Legal Services Fights for a Mother and Son

April 1, 2021

“Allan began sleeping at night in his employer’s van, which he drove during the day to bring special needs kids to school.”

At the start of the COVID pandemic, Allan had no place to go. He had received an eviction Notice to Quit after missing two months of rent and left to avoid court action. Allan had lived with his mother, Sarah, in her apartment a few years ago, so Sarah decided that he should move back in.

Shortly after Allan returned, Sarah’s landlord sent her an eviction Notice to Quit for having someone live with her without permission from the housing complex.

Greater Boston Legal Services Advocacy Opens Door to a Fresh Start

March 26, 2021

CELHP Paralegal Allison Piper

JJ was working three jobs and caring for her two daughters when the pandemic hit. As two of her jobs phased out, she was able to keep the third until an injury flared up, causing her to take fewer hours. As medical bills mounted and her income depleted, JJ began to fall behind on rent. She struggled to pay her phone and WiFi bills and worried that her daughters would not be able to keep up with remote school.

Community Legal Aid is Keeping Survivors Housed

March 16, 2021

Persis Ticknor-Swanson, CELHP Case Manager

CELHP Case Manager Persis Ticknor-Swanson

With 1 in 5 Massachusetts residents reporting domestic violence as a reason for their homelessness, collaborations between domestic violence organizations and legal aid can keep survivors housed.

Recently, the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT), the sexual and domestic violence crisis center in Franklin County, referred a case to Community Legal Aid (CLA). The tenant, a single mother, had lost her job because of her abusive partner and owed thousands of dollars in rent. Her landlord refused to accept rental assistance to cover the amount owed and filed an eviction case against her.

Northeast Legal Aid is Closing the Digital Divide in Court

March 10, 2021

CELHP Attorney Jolie Main

When COVID hit and court proceedings moved online, the digital divide quickly became an access to justice divide.

“The justice system is relying on technology to operate efficiently during the pandemic, but this assumes that technology is accessible to all, and as we see with our clients — that just isn’t the case,” says Jolie Main, a CELHP attorney at Northeast Legal Aid (NLA).

Justice Center of the Southeast is Meeting Tenants Where They Are

March 7, 2021

CELHP Paralegal Kasha Ambroise

Kasha Ambroise, a CELHP Paralegal at the Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts, became a lifeline for Nuella as she sat in a car in the parking lot of an emergency room.

Her 8-year-old grandchild was sick. Her daughter was anxiously trying to access an application for rental assistance (RAFT) on her phone. Nuella spoke Cape Verdean Creole; her daughter interpreted.