by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
City Council member Glorious Johnson swears she’ll find more money for the Ribault Jacksonville Area Legal Aid foreclosure office. Johnson said both U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and State Rep. Jennifer Carroll have pledged to help find federal and state dollars to keep the office open.
But, right now, she needs the City to help. Monday, the Council Finance Committee approved $112,500 from the Special Council Operating Contingency Fund by a 6-1 vote with only Finance member Clay Yarborough voting against the bill.
“I understand the desire to help folks facing foreclosure, but this looks like one-time money,” said Yarborough.
The JALA office has been open before and was staffed with two full-time attorneys and two support staff devoted solely to foreclosure cases. According to figures provided by Johnson, before the office closed due to funding issues, over 6,100 hours were spent handling cases for about 780 people who were, or are, losing their homes.
Johnson sees the money, and the office, as a way to not just keep people in their homes, but prevent the other issues that can accompany foreclosure.
“If we don’t do something, we are going to have more homeless people,” she said. “Some who have lost their homes are wandering the streets now. My hope is Congresswoman Brown and State Rep. Carroll can help find a method to stop the bleeding.”
Michael Figgins, JALA executive director, said the $112,500 will pay 80 percent of the salaries of two full-time foreclosure attorneys. He also said the United Way will pay for two support staff and will donate the office space.
“It’s quite a good use of the funds,” said Figgins, who agreed to provide periodic reports on the office’s caseload. “The location of the office is in one of the hardest hit areas. If you are the lender, it’s advantageous to foreclose as quickly as possible because it means more money. There are things we can do get some leverage. The objective is to get these people legal counsel so they can stay in their homes.”
Finance member Johnny Gaffney says the City must do something to address the issue.
“Foreclosure is a travesty,” he said. “Unfortunately, Jacksonville is a leader in foreclosure and I think we have an obligation to help. This is an opportunity for us on City Council to take some leadership and do some good.”
Figgins said a majority of JALA’s foreclosure clients have lost their income or are physically unable to work.
“Over 50 percent are seniors,” he said.
Johnson said foreclosure is a loss of property tax revenue to the City and can lead to the deterioration of an entire neighborhood.
“Those vacant homes are being used for drugs and prostitution and other things,” she said.
The full Council must still approve the legislation.
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