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Preserving Housing and Protecting Against Eviction
Blank Rome is committed to providing legal and advocacy services aimed at preventing homelessness for individuals and families in our communities . In 2022 , we partnered with numerous organizations , like Philadelphia VIP and the Homeless Advocacy Project , to provide clients with free legal services and connect them with other crucial social services .
Pro Bono Team Helps Single Mother Retain Home and Critical Housing Subsidy
Hien “ Grant ” Doan |
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John E . Heintz |
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Oliver E . Jury |
Hien “ Grant ” Doan , John E . Heintz , and Oliver E . Jury represented a single mother with a housing subsidy who lost her income during the pandemic . Her landlord was unlawfully charging her rent , pursuing thousands of dollars in back rent , and threatening eviction . The team was able to reach a fair settlement with the landlord , enabling their client to remain in her home and retain her income-based subsidy , thereby maintaining stability for her family . |
Attorney Provides Important Transactional Services to DC SAFE
Cynthia Langelier Paine
Led by Cynthia Langelier Paine , a Blank Rome team completed important transactions for DC Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment , or DC SAFE , a nonprofit that provides advocacy and assistance to those impacted by domestic violence . The team ’ s work has included drafting all the financing agreements needed to secure their shelter space . DC SAFE is the only crisis housing program in Washington , D . C ., that provides immediate placement for victims of domestic violence 24 / 7 .
Blank Rome Obtains Justice for Wrongfully Evicted Tenant
Craig N . Haring , Gregory M . Bordo , Christopher J . Petersen , and our pro bono partner , Public Counsel , represented a low-income mother with two young children who was illegally evicted from her home in 2020 , at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic . Despite a moratorium on unlawful detainer actions for those impacted by COVID-19 , the landlord attempted to evict the client and her young children by requesting a restraining order . When the restraining order failed , the landlord retaliated against the client by illegally cutting off the electricity , trying to intimidate them , and changing the locks to the property with all of their belongings still inside . The landlord also contacted Child Protective Services , ironically reporting that the home where they lived was unfit for children , resulting in the client being separated from her children .
The team fought tenaciously for their client and were able to secure a very favorable settlement that allowed the client and her family to obtain safe and stable housing .
PRO BONO REPORT & COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT • 19