| Over the years the work done by the Housing Unit has changed from being responsive only to individual housing questions, to becoming proactive. The unit's current priority is to keep people in decent, safe, and sanitary housing. The unit directly responds by handling landlord/tenant issues, land contracts , mortgages, and other property ownership issues. Positive resolution of such cases prevents people from becoming homeless.
In addition, much Community Legal Education is done through distribution of printed material on topics like: homeowner issues, repairs, the dangers of lead poisoning and how to address it, and how to file cases in small claims court . Much of the material used in these programs was created by LSEM advocates, and specifically addresses its clients' unique needs. In this way clients are empowered to help themselves and cases need not necessarily go to trial. |
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