Oct 12: HHR-Action Meeting on Lead Poisoning and Eviction Court Watch

ByCommunity Forum

HHR-Action, an organization of housing advocates who understand that safe and accessible housing is a basic human right.
 

NEXT MEETING: THURSDAY, OCT 12, 6 PM
MAIN LIBRARY, COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER, CLASSROOM D

        PROGRAM:
1.      Lead poisoning prevention in Saint Joseph County, a presentation from the Lead Affinity Group, a community coalition of civil servants, health providers, educators, researchers, and community leaders that has been meeting since 2017 to address the dangers of lead in our community. They are conducting community presentations this fall to: (a) educate the community about lead poisoning, (b) share recent, important policy changes in Indiana that will help children and families, and (c) provide information about resources that are locally available. After viewing this presentation, participants will have a deeper under-standing of the lead poisoning problem in St. Joseph County and be able to advocate for community and organizational action.
 
2.     What have we learned from our Eviction Court Watch project?  Since June of 2022, members of HHR have maintained an information table in the lobby outside of SJC Small Claims Court where Monday's Eviction Court proceedings are held. We provided information about resources available to support our neighbors who were in danger of being evicted from their homes.
Since May of 2023, HHR volunteers also have attended eviction hearings.  In addition, Katherine Wines, a legal navigator from Pro Bono Indiana, developed and completed an observation sheet for hundreds of eviction proceedings. Collected results then were analyzed by Katherine and Judy Fox, Clinical Professor Emeritus of law at UND. Their findings will be shared with us at the October 12th meeting, explaining the methodology used as well as their findings from this first stage of the project.  We'll also hear experiences from some of the eviction court volunteers: e.g. what type of information was requested at the information table and what they learned from observing the proceedings.
 
        Join us that evening with your questions and comments about these community action projects!

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