Saturday, August 07, 2010

Transitional Rental Housing Facility In Foreclosure To Shut Down; 14 Families Get Two Weeks Notice Before Having To Face The Boot

In Valparaiso, Indiana, the Post Tribune reports:
  • Fewer than half of Spring Valley Shelter's 14 families could attend [last week's] meeting about their future. One woman fought tears, and some bit their nails. Told that Spring Valley will shut down in two weeks and Friday was the employees' last day, they had one question.

  • "As of right now, what are our options?" asked Krystal Smith, who is pregnant with her third child and whose roofer husband was laid off. There's no certain answer, but the families will be helped by Darrell Franklin, the only Christian Community Action employee left, and staff from Housing Opportunities.

  • Franklin said alternatives that might break up families were never considered. However, moving all 14 families to the same place would overwhelm the resources of agencies helping, so the families will be moved in different directions.

  • Some residents questioned the two weeks because in foreclosures on rental units, there's a 90-day period. "It is our understanding that tenant law does not apply to Spring Valley," Franklin said.

For the story, see Spring Valley residents in shock, tears.