Keeping People in Their Homes

The Consumer Housing Unit strives to prevent foreclosures and evictions for low-income homeowners, combat predatory lending practices, and assist families in preserving their homes’ integrity. Services include connecting clients with housing counselors through the Save Your Home Philly Hotline, running Philadelphia’s Eviction Diversion Hotline, fighting mortgage foreclosures, aiding with real estate tax issues, facilitating Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings, and resolving tangled titles to ensure homeowners have the necessary legal tools to protect their properties.

At PLA, our holistic approach to resolving complex tangled title and foreclosure cases not only protects homeowners from losing their homes but also places them on a path toward lasting financial stability. 

One 2024 success story illustrates this perfectly. Our client was one of 18 heirs to a family home, which he had lived in and maintained for many years. Initially, he managed to keep up with the previous owner’s mortgage payments, but eventually fell behind and faced imminent foreclosure. Without intervention, he and his family stood to lose their home. 

PLA stepped in and provided comprehensive legal support. Our team tracked down all 17 other heirs, navigated the probate process, and successfully transferred the deed into our client’s name. Additionally, we negotiated a favorable loan modification, effectively resolving the foreclosure crisis. 

Thanks to PLA’s advocacy, our client secured an affordable monthly housing payment of just over $600. Beyond simply preserving his home, this legal victory unlocked approximately $100,000 in net equity, empowering our client with lasting financial security and a solid foundation for intergenerational wealth.