SUCCESS STORY

A care provider for seniors, Melissa’s work hours were reduced due to her employer’s budget cuts. Melissa was unable to meet her rent payment and received a three-day notice from her landlord. With her five children, ranging in age from 7 to 20 years old, living with her, Melissa quickly gathered the funds necessary, but once she tried to pay, the landlord refused and began eviction proceedings. How could Melissa keep the apartment and ensure her family had a place to live?

How Legal Aid Helped

Through the HomeSavers Project, Legal Aid appointed an attorney to help Melissa fight the eviction notice.

• Legal Aid learned that Melissa had attempted to pay the rent only a day after the three-day notice had expired.

• The attorney then prepared an answer for Melissa to file in court and argued that Melissa’s history of meeting payments should preclude this one-time lapse.

• Legal Aid successfully negotiated with the landlord who accepted Melissa’s rent money and permitted her to continue as a tenant.

Today Melissa and her five children continue to live together under one roof and are grateful for Legal Aid’s help in enabling them to keep their home.

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