Legal Aid Ensures Family Remains Housed
Monica, a single mother with three children, was in desperate need of an attorney. Working but earning a low income, Monica lived in subsidized housing managed by a local housing authority. A year before seeking help, her ex-boyfriend and father of her youngest child invaded her home and began beating Monica in front of the children.
The police were called and the man was arrested for both the attack on Monica and because police found the man had marijuana in his possession. When the housing authority learned of the arrest, Monica was served with an eviction notice alleging she violated the housing authority’s “drug-related activity” rule by the person they labeled as a “guest.”
If Monica was evicted for violating this rule, she would lose her housing voucher and be ineligible to reapply for housing help from the housing authority. Legal Aid immediately accepted her case, arguing in court that the housing authority could not evict her for an incident involving domestic violence. The Court found in Monica’s favor and she and her children were able to remain in their home.
The police were called and the man was arrested for both the attack on Monica and because police found the man had marijuana in his possession. When the housing authority learned of the arrest, Monica was served with an eviction notice alleging she violated the housing authority’s “drug-related activity” rule by the person they labeled as a “guest.”
If Monica was evicted for violating this rule, she would lose her housing voucher and be ineligible to reapply for housing help from the housing authority. Legal Aid immediately accepted her case, arguing in court that the housing authority could not evict her for an incident involving domestic violence. The Court found in Monica’s favor and she and her children were able to remain in their home.