Oakland Mediation Center's new legal aid service helps Michigan residents stay in their homes.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Oct. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Oakland Mediation Center (OMC) announces a new Legal Aid Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention program to help renters and property owners, who may have fallen behind on their payments due to COVID-19 pandemic. The services are free for people who qualify.
The program, which launched February 1, 2022, is part of a joint partnership with Lakeshore Legal Aid and Legal Aid and Defenders Association. Awarded by a county grant, the program helps to provide legal assistance to tenants or homeowners at risk of or subject to eviction or foreclosure. OMC's legal services department has already assisted 166 individuals in addition to the 989 cases facilitated by mediation services in pretrial hearings. Most cases have been resolved within 30 days.
The benefits of the Legal Aid Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention program include access to justice, legal resources, and education that empowers clients. The program also helps relieve the burden and stress related to the eviction process.
"The pandemic has created so many challenges for people who live in Michigan," said Charity Burke, Executive Director of OMC. "Our goal is to keep people in their homes and provide support and resources to residents who would normally not receive them — people whose lives have been affected because of COVID-19's impact."
The Legal Aid Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention program is part of a larger program at OMC offering low-cost legal services. For those who do not qualify for free services, rates range from $60 to $145 per hour depending on income, household size, and the complexity of the case. The average cost for most cases is $120 per hour.
To schedule an appointment, renters and homeowners in Michigan must call 248-338-4280 or email [email protected]. Requests can also be submitted through the OMC website.
OMC has partnered with 51st Waterford District Court, 52-4th Troy District Court, 52-3rd Rochester Hills District Court, 48th Bloomfield Hills District Court, and Oakland County to execute the Legal Aid Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention program.
About Oakland Mediation Center: OMC is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that assists Oakland County resident in resolving disputes in a peaceful and respectful manner through mediation and education. Formed in 1989 at the recommendation of the Oakland County Bar Association, OMC was established to provide individuals with an alternative to the litigation process. For additional information about OMC and the Community Mediator Training Program, visit http://mediation-omc.org/or call 248-338-4280, ext. 227.
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Media Contact
Fatima Baig, Oakland Mediation Center, 310-766-8911, [email protected]
SOURCE Oakland Mediation Center
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