Fair Housing

“Belinda” and “Ernest,” an elderly couple living on rental assistance in Fernandina Beach, came to JALA after their rent suddenly increased from $479 to $730. They had lived in the same complex for eight years and couldn’t afford the sudden 66% rent increase. In 2018 their adult daughter had come to the United States from Australia. Because she was unable to handle her own funds, her husband, who was still in Australia, sent Belinda and Ernest money to pay her expenses, including her rent at a motel. The landlord counted these funds as income to Belinda and Ernest and raised their subsidized rent accordingly.

Facing foreclosure on their home, “Evan and Shayla Marks” came to JALA a few weeks prior to the pending sale date. Shayla had developed health problems that caused her to have to give up her job, and she was in the process of applying for Social Security disability. Meanwhile, she and Evan had fallen behind on their mortgage payments and had been trying to enter into a loan modification with their lender. But they were repeatedly told that their papers hadn’t been received. The court directed them to JALA for help.

Dottie Robinson with her JALA attorney, Eva Paulk Dottie Robinson, 85, had lived in subsidized housing at Hastings Manor Apartments