Affordable housing question

[Catherine]

Client called with a question from an extended-family member. This person wants to get into "affordable housing" in Massachusetts and (they say) should qualify on income etc.

They were advised to find and use an attorney to guide them through the process, and the one they were referred to wanted a retainer of $4,000 with pretty much no guarantees of anything.

Their questions were a) do they really need an attorney for this?, B ) what kind of attorney to look for?, c) where to find those attorneys, and d) isn't $4K a bit much for this up front? If this lady -had- $4K, she most likely wouldn't need the affordable housing, after all.

I have -no- idea, and said I would make inquiries. Hoping here for some general guidelines.

Thanks all, and I'm doing a bit better today but still taking it real easy.

Catherine

[JohnH]

Sounds a little odd to me, but one never knows.

This agency might be able to provide some guidance on your questions...

http://www.mhp.net/index.php

[Lion EA]

Is this part of an older person spending down their assets, going into housing, preparing for SS and Medicare, etc.? An elder care attorney or someone specializing in estate planning might be correct. If this is someone who's already low income and not likely to improve, I'd suggest she work with the financial aid department of the housing she seeks or a public agency recommended by her town social worker. If she doesn't have the retainer, perhaps a local law clinic run by a regional law school.