ABLE Receives $1 Million Grant for Eviction Protection in Rural Ohio Communities
ABLE is one of ten organizations across the country to recently receive a substantial grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Eviction Protection Grant Program—the first program of its kind in the nation.
The $1 million grant will allow us and our partner firm, Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), to expand an eviction prevention program into rural areas of seven counties in western Ohio. Funding will help us provide legal representation in eviction actions, advocacy for tenant protections in local policies and programs, coordination with rental assistance funds, legal education and information for renters, and access to mediation for renters when available.
Executive Director Janet Hales explains the impact of evictions on family stability: “Evictions rob families of any chance at stability. An eviction affects every part of a family’s life—their schooling, economic stability, and makes it almost impossible to find safe, affordable housing. ABLE is grateful for this opportunity to expand eviction prevention services. Legal assistance has proven to help families keep their homes and this grant gives us the opportunity to help more people who cannot afford to protect against unfair and unlawful evictions.”