CLS Christian Lawyer Magazine June 2014_Proofforweb.pdf Jun. 2014 | Page 19

LEGAL AID TRANSFORMATIONS

Candy’s Story: Back at Home
BY PETER HILEMAN

A

ter a year of legal batles, Candy has her home back. In
June 2012, Candy had packed to move from the row
home in Hunting Park she had lived in for 30 years. She was
75 years old and unable to go upstairs, so the prospect of moving from her irst loor apartment was very distressing for her.
Plus, Candy was a pillar in the Hunting Park community. Her
landlord had been forced to ask her to move by the District
Atorney’s oice. A resident of her house had been arrested for
selling drugs (activity which had taken place outside the home
and of which Candy was completely unaware.) As a result, the
DA’s oice iled a Petition to Forfeit the house.
At a hearing where Candy and her landlord appeared without
counsel, the DA chastised Candy and told her she was a bad inluence in the neighborhood! He threatened her landlord by telling
her he was going to take her house unless she evicted Candy.
Candy came to Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia’s (CLCP)
Ayuda Legal Clinic in North Philadelphia anxious and fearful.

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