GCLC Joins New Housing Security Initiative
A new program provides free legal help for residents of Cook County.
Established to help residents resolve eviction, foreclosure, debt, and tax deed issues resulting from recent economic disruptions, Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) was announced Monday, November 23, 2020, at a press event led by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
“Cook County has been experiencing an affordable housing crisis since at least the turn of the century,” said President Preckwinkle. “The pandemic has only exacerbated this crisis and the most vulnerable among us. When you look at this issue against the backdrop of the financial hit many are taking, we understood we needed to step in and provide solutions.”
CCLAHD’s first initiative, the Early Resolution Program (ERP) provides free legal assistance, counseling, pre-court mediation, and case management for Cook County residents.
As an ERP community partner, Greater Chicago Legal Clinic attorneys will provide legal aid services related to eviction and consumer debt issues to people in suburban Cook County.
“Our role has always been to help our clients navigate court processes that can be overwhelming for any individual,” said Jamie Davis-Maxfield, Supervisory Attorney of Greater Chicago Legal Clinic’s Housing Stability and Consumer Protection Program. “With the surge of cases we expect to see, early resolution will be critical to save our client’s resources and to ensure the courts can continue to run smoothly.”
Future CCLAHD initiatives will focus on mortgage foreclosure and tax deed assistance.
According to a recent report by the Aspen Institute, “The Covid-19 Eviction Crisis: An Estimated 30-40 Million People in America Are At Risk” (pdf), an influx of foreclosure filings is expected.
County officials are proactively taking steps now to get assistance programs in place, as local, state, and federal moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures expire in the coming months.
The Chicago Bar Foundation played a critical role in the program development phase and will continue acting as lead coordinator between partner organizations and government offices.
GCLC is proud to work with the following community partners:
• CARPLS
• Center for Conflict Resolution
• Center for Disability & Elder Law
• Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
• Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing
• Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services
“We are grateful to County and Court leadership for prioritizing these critical services amid the pandemic,” said Chicago Bar Foundation Executive Director Bob Glaves. “This partnership between the County, the Court, and a network of outstanding legal aid and community partners is sure to help many thousands of County residents in this time of greatest need.”
There is no income limit for ERP services. The program is open to all Cook County residents and property owners.
“We are in uncharted territory,” said Adam Salzman, Executive Director of Greater Chicago Legal Clinic. “We do not yet know how many people will be effected by the economic disruptions we’ve seen this year, or what will happen in the coming months. We are doing all we can to prepare, and we are very pleased to be part of this important initiative.”
For more information about the Early Resolution Program and future CCLAHD programs, please visit www.cookcountylegalaid.org or call 855-956-5763.