Dennis.Harrison@jaxlegalaid.org

“Jonathan” was displaced from his home after it was destroyed in a fire. Through his insurance, his family was placed in an apartment complex while they decide whether to rebuild or move. Jonathan has physical disabilities, including quadriplegia, so he needed a number of modifications to the new apartment, including a keyless entry door lock, a Wi-Fi-capable thermostat, and a door handle to replace the knob on his back patio door. Unfortunately, he and his wife were unable to get permission from the property management to make the necessary modifications to the apartment. 

“Arturo,” who had stage 4 mesothelioma, came to JALA facing a foreclosure of his deceased mother's home. He was able to afford the mortgage payments, but first he needed to get the title to be transferred to his name. JALA attorney Carol Miller stepped in to handle probate on Arturo’s mother’s estate.  

“Josie,” who lives in an apartment with her 4-year-old son, sought help from JALA after experiencing repeated problems with her apartment’s air conditioning unit. Josie’s son has multiple disabilities and is at risk if he becomes overheated. During the day in the summer, the temperature in her apartment would go above 85 degrees, forcing her and her son to leave until after 8 p.m. each day. Maintenance of the air conditioning unit is the responsibility of the property management, but the manager made only excuses and not the necessary repairs.