“I had been looking for housing cases because I had experience running a housing clinic in law school. It’s hard to overstate how critical housing work is. It can be taken for granted by people who are on their feet and can take care of themselves, but it’s important to help people out and ensure they have a roof over their heads.” – Eric Schlichte, Associate, Holland & Knight LLP
When Eric Schlichte, an associate at Holland & Knight LLP, received an email from a colleague about open pro bono cases at Lawyers Clearinghouse, he signed up to help Clearinghouse client Adam*.
Adam was homeless and living in a shelter after the local housing authority terminated his Section 8 voucher when he failed to show up for a required voucher recertification hearing. As someone who has long struggled with a number of mental health issues, Adam has trouble communicating and staying organized when it comes to such obligations.
Eric met with Adam’s leasing officer at the housing authority and was able to acquire a new voucher after submitting the necessary documents.
A month later, Adam received a notice from the housing authority accusing him of fraud. Years prior, Adam’s daughter had lived with him and his voucher had indicated he lived in a two-person household, but his daughter had since moved out. When Eric and Adam reapplied for a new voucher and indicated that Adam needed housing for only one person, the discrepancy led the fraud department to recommend once again terminating Adam’s voucher.
Eric quickly requested a pre-hearing conference with members of the fraud department, where he and Adam were able to provide the relevant background information. Following the hearing, the housing authority determined that Adam’s family composition had not been properly documented when his daughter moved out and agreed to cancel the proposed termination.
Thanks to his new voucher, Adam can now look for housing and plans to move out of the shelter soon. The constant noise at his previous, street-level apartment had exacerbated his mental health issues, so he looks forward to finding a unit in a quieter location.
*Client’s name has been changed to protect privacy.
