  LAWO and ABLE are one of the few programs in the country that receive an AmeriCorps Grant that employs professional members. Through the Ohio Community Service Council, ABLE and LAWO established the AmeriCorps Homelessness Prevention and Housing Opportunity Project, helping hundreds of low-income individuals and families obtain or preserve access to affordable, decent housing each year. Working together, the nonprofit law firms are able to dedicate attorneys and paralegals to provide legal information, education and general assistance to low-income residents and the homeless in an effort to help them acquire and maintain safe, affordable housing. AmeriCorps Members work to:
- Prevent eviction and foreclosure;
- Improve substandard housing conditions;
- Obtain or preserve eligibility for housing subsidies; and
- Address consumer law issues that often lead to the loss of a home, including predatory lending.
AmeriCorps attorneys also work closely with government and nonprofit agencies throughout the service area to promote tenants' rights and to advocate for the development of affordable housing.
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AmeriCorps helps Janine*
prevent a foreclosure.
At 80 years old, Janine could not believe she was facing foreclosure on the home she had lived in for 55 years. Despite her age and the death of her husband, she continued to work a few hours a week, providing her with a monthly income of less than $2,000 when combined with her retirement. Janine tithed to her church and she allowed her grandchildren to live with her, creating even more expense.
In 2005, Janine refinanced her home with an adjustable rate loan that increased her payments more than what she had expected. When she fell at work and fractured her pelvis, Janine fell behind on her mortgage payments. By the time she contacted Legal Aid for help, her home was already in default. Janine's AmeriCorps attorney contacted the opposing counsel and began a difficult negotiations process that lead to a dismissal of the foreclosure action and a modified loan with a lower monthly payment. Thanks to her legal aid attorney, Janine is able to remain in her home. (*not her real name)
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| This brochure will assist you in knowing and understanding your rights as a tenant. The information provided is a guide to help you handle the kinds of problems that might arise between you and your landlord. Awareness and understanding of your rights as a tenant are important tools you can use when working out differences with a landlord. | 
| FOLLETO Este folleto le ayudará a conocer y entender sus derechos como inquilino. La información proveida tiene el propósito de servir como una guía para ayudarle a manejar diferentes tipos de problemas que podrian presentarse entre usted y el arrendador. El conocer y entender sus derechos como inquilino es un importante instrumento que usted puede usar cuando trate de resolver diferencias con un arrendador.
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