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.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicant must be LSC eligible and a resident of Philadelphia.

Funded By: Legal Services Corporation

Projects of the Consumer Housing Unit

Save Your Home Philly Hotline

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.

Articles

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

Staff Attorney, Consumer Housing Unit Full-Time Position

BACKGROUND

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (“PLA”) is the federally funded civil legal aid provider for Philadelphia’s indigent community, providing high-volume, high-quality legal services including community education, advice, referral, pro se assistance, and full legal representation in administrative and court proceedings, including all levels of state and federal courts, in the areas of basic human needs: family safety, health, income maintenance, and home preservation.

Professionals

Jane Nylund - Attorney
Margaret Robinson - Attorney

Margaret Robinson supervises the Save Your Home Philly Hotline.

Irwin Trauss - Attorney

Irwin Trauss is the Supervising Attorney of the Consumer Housing Unit.

Joanne Werdel - Attorney

Self-help Materials

Application for Owner Occupied Payment Agreement

If you are behind on your real estate taxes, you may be eligible for an Owner Occupied Payment Agreement that will lower your payment for back taxes.  This is the application form.

Assistance with applying for public benefits, UC, and EITC

If you need help applying for public benefits, unemployment compensation, or the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), free help is available from the City of Philadelphia.  You can get one-on-one counseling from BenePhilly over the phone or in person.

The toll-free number for BenePhilly is 844-848-4376.  You can also walk in to one of six BenePhilly Centers.

Coping with Debt
Dealing with debt collectors
Debt Defense Self-Help
Housing Counseling Agencies

The Save Your Home Philly Hotline refers callers to one of several housing counseling organizations in Philadelphia.  This is a list of those organizations, with addresses and phone numbers.

How to file a complaint
Information about filing for Bankruptcy
Information and assistance available from Community Legal Services

Community Legal Services offers legal information, advice and/or representation in the following areas:

Obtain a free credit report
Real Estate Tax Assistance Programs