Assisting those facing foreclosure.

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland continues its work as part of “Save the Dream,” thanks to grants from Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation and the Institute for Foreclosure Legal Assistance. Created in response to the foreclosure crisis, “Save the Dream” mobilizes all elements of Ohio’s legal community – Legal Aid attorneys, private attorneys, bar associations, the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General’s office – to match attorneys with low-income borrowers. Participating pro bono attorneys can be involved as case developers, deal brokers or litigators; borrowers looking for legal help can contact the Attorney General’s office for intake and referral to a local legal services organization. Since April 1 more than 300 attorneys have volunteered with Legal Aid to help people in foreclosure.

Also since April 1, new intakes from those in need numbered 185. Thirty applicants were referred to pro bono attorneys. One hundred-eleven applications remain with Legal Aid staff to be analyzed for possible representation or advice. The remaining 44 were rejected because applicants were either over income guidelines, were not in foreclosure, or did not live in the home. In tandem with its “Save the Dream” collaboration, Legal Aid has organized continuing legal education (CLE) seminars to educate volunteer attorneys on foreclosure issues. Four CLEs have been held in Cuyahoga, Lorain and Ashtabula counties, and the demand for training remains high. Another foreclosure CLE is planned for September.