Sophia is a physically disabled woman who lives alone. She became disabled after suffering injuries in a car accident and she has difficulty using the stairs to her third floor apartment. She often felt like a prisoner in her own home because she could not make the climb up and down the stairs. Sophia contacted BALS’ Wimauma office to seek assistance. BALS’ attorneys, Greg Grossman and John Salgado, obtained medical documentation from Sophia’s doctor establishing that because of her disability she should be transferred to a first floor unit. They submitted a reasonable accommodation request for a cost-free transfer. Within a short time, the request was granted and Sophia moved to a first floor apartment without paying a transfer fee and with a refundable security deposit. However, while her request was pending, Sophia missed a rent payment when her benefit check, her sole source of income, was lost in the mail. She received a notice of nonpayment and faced possible eviction. Greg and John submitted another request asking that the landlord not file an eviction and adjust the rental due date to allow her to pay the rent as soon as the lost check was found. The landlord granted the request and Sophia’s housing was preserved.
Previous post: Abuse Victim Obtains Sole Custody
Next post: Seniors Receive Foreclosure Assistance
