While Philadelphia has a strong legacy of homeownership across income levels, for many folks keeping up with repairs is a challenge. In families where homes are passed down through generations but inheritance isn’t clearly documented, the inability to afford repairs forces families to live in aging or deteriorating homes that threaten their health.
Joanne, an attorney in PLA's housing unit, wrote about how raising sons with asthma impacted by her work.
Consumer Housing Unit
The Consumer Housing Unit handles legal problems of homeowners in the area of consumer law, including mortgage foreclosure, mortgage servicing, real estate taxes, homeownership and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Since the start of the foreclosure crisis, the Unit has focused on saving homes from foreclosure by defending mortgage foreclosure cases and filing Chapter 13 bankruptcies on behalf of clients.
Community Legal Services handles landlord-tenant matters and public housing matters; PLA's Consumer Housing Unit does not.
Practice Areas: Housing Homeownership Mortgage Foreclosure Real Estate Taxes Bankruptcy
Intake Procedure:Applicants need to call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline.
Applicant must be LSC eligible and a resident of Philadelphia.
Funded By: Legal Services CorporationProjects of the Consumer Housing Unit
Articles
No One's Home Should Make Them Sick
PLA Staff Speak at Press Conference
PLA supervising attorney Irwin Trauss and paralegal Ian Skahill spoke at a press conference today about the effect that PHFA's interpretation of HUD guidelines is having on PLA clients.
Job Postings
PA Legal Aid Network Martin Luther King Fellowship Opportunity with PLA - Consumer Housing Unit
About the Martin Luther King Fellowship Program
In 2003, an evaluation of the Martin Luther King Jr., Summer Internship Program revealed that, while the internship experience had been a very positive one for Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Inc. (PLAN) interns, clients and programs, the goal to enhance cultural and ethnic diversity within the programs was not being realized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an appointment with a housing counselor?
If you are behind on your mortgage payments or your real estate tax payments, you may be in danger of losing your home to foreclosure.
If you are in foreclosure, or worried about foreclosure, you should meet with a housing counselor to discuss your options.
To schedule a housing counseling appointment, call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline at 215-334-4663.
Professionals
Jasper Katz -
Attorney
Jane Nylund -
Attorney
Joanne Werdel -
Attorney
