Our first ever Smarty Party was so much fun!! The trivia competition was fierce, but it was Lily & The Lady Lawyers who emerged victorious, claiming the top spot. We want to give a huge shout-out and heartfelt thanks our amazing Smarty Party sponsors! Without their generous support, this event wouldn’t be possible. BON…
What is the Urban Homesteading Program? This is for individuals who can fix up a house that is currently in very bad condition. Who qualifies for the Urban Homesteading Program? People with construction skills and experience working on repairing homes, as well as enough regular income to rehabilitate a home. Applicants are also required…
Preguntas Frecuentes sobre Legal Aid y el Programa de “Urban Homesteading” (Viviendas Urbanas) ¿Qué es el Programa de Viviendas Urbanas? Es para individuales que pueden arreglar una casa en muy mala condición. ¿Quién califica para el programa de Viviendas Urbanas? Personas con habilidades de construcción y experiencia trabajando en reparo de casas, y con suficiente…
Urban homesteading is a unique opportunity for individuals with construction skills and/or experience in home repair to acquire and rehab homes in poor condition. Eligible properties are truly abandoned and cannot be purchased or otherwise acquired. The houses must be 1. Vacant for at least six months continuously; 2. Delinquent on taxes for at least two…
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO OPEN GALLERY This property is in the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association, one of our community partners. The neighborhood association chose a 60-year-old man with over two decades of construction experience to be the Urban Homesteader. He immigrated to this country from Cuba as a teenager and has been living here…
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO OPEN GALLERY The current owner-occupant of this Neighbors United for Action property in Kansas City renovated it under the Urban Homesteader Project. The neighborhood association sought assistance from Legal Aid’s Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project in dealing with four vacant homes on the same block. Legal professionals from Kutak Rock law firm and…
One night, Ericka’s husband brutally attacked her with a crowbar. The police connected her with a domestic violence advocate who referred her to Legal Aid for help with an order of protection. Ericka wanted to ensure that she and her daughter were included on the order. Her daughter witnessed the attack and was afraid her…
Anita had worked retail and restaurant jobs her entire life. When she reached full retirement age, she began receiving her Social Security benefits. She could not live off of her retirement benefit alone, so she continued to work part-time at a local department store. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Anita’s doctor told her she should…
Steve, his wife, and their children lived in a rented house before the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit, Steve and his wife both lost their jobs. Like so many families in this situation, they did their best to keep up. But with no income coming in, they got behind on their rent. Their landlord…
We all have that one friend who is ready and willing to lend a helping hand. That’s Helene. Helene is 79 years old and cares for her adult disabled son. Helene contacted Legal Aid because the Family Support Division (FSD) rejected her food stamp application due to a finding that her available resources exceeded the…
