Preventing Linda's Eviction

Prairie State Legal Services prevents eviction by obtaining a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act

Linda* was a resident of a section 8 project-based housing complex for over 20 years. While struggling with an untreated bipolar condition, she began displaying bizarre and annoying conduct on the premises. This led Linda’s landlord to file suit to evict her, threatening to make her homeless. Lawyers at Prairie State requested a reasonable accommodation for her disability – to postpone the eviction proceeding while Linda attended an inpatient treatment facility to stabilize her condition and to be followed up with medication and counseling. Linda received a postponement on this basis, the landlord monitored Linda’s progress, and later voluntarily dismissed the eviction case.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of our clients and maintain confidentiality.