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When Neighbors Stood Together: Eviction Resistance
Written By Cristina Cercone, HUD Certified Housing Counselor at The Waterfront Project Housing instability is often described as a modern crisis. Rising rents, eviction filings, and affordability gaps dominate today’s headlines. But nearly a century ago, communities across the country faced a housing emergency that reshaped how America understands the right to shelter. The eviction
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Black History Month and homeownership
Written by Maria Mascola, HUD Certified Foreclosure Specialist at The Waterfront Project During Black History Month, we honor and celebrate the many generations of Black Americans who have helped shaped our nation and we reflect on the triumphs and challenges they have faced through U.S. history. The work still needs to be done in securing a more equitable future
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The cost of eviction
Written by Joe Correa As countless reports and research show, eviction goes beyond just being a housing issue. For tenants, it disrupts nearly every area of life, from financial stability and health to employment and future housing opportunities. There is a common assumption that the fastest and most financially responsible option when rent is late
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Foreclosure Prevention Success Story
Written by Patricia Ellams, HUD Certified Foreclosure Specialist at The Waterfront Project A homeowner suddenly lost her husband, leaving her a widowed mother of three children and the primary caregiver for her 94-year-old veteran father. Her late husband had been the sole borrower on the mortgage and the only individual listed on the deed. Although
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Before You Buy: Understanding Homeowners Association (HOA) Fees
Written By William Paige, Certified Foreclosure Specialist at The Waterfront Project Before purchasing a home with Homeowners Association (HOA) dues, it is critical to understand both the benefits and the potential financial risks. HOAs are common in condominiums, co-ops, townhouses, and planned communities, and membership is mandatory when you buy a property governed by an
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Hoboken Takes a Stand Toward Fairer Access to Affordable Housing
This week, Hoboken agreed to end a long-standing policy that limited access to certain affordable housing units to Hoboken residents only. The change comes after a settlement with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and Division on Civil Rights, which found that the residency preference had a discriminatory impact, particularly excluding applicants from nearby, more
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Tenants’ Rights – Only a Judge Can Evict In New Jersey
Written By Stefany Perez, Certified HUD Housing Counselor New Jersey has some of the strongest tenant protections in the country. One of the most important right every tenant should know is that only a judge can evict you in New Jersey! A landlord cannot evict a tenant on their own, even if they believe they
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Holiday Season Alert: Protecting Clients from Financial Scams
By Patricia Ellams, HUD Certified Housing Counselor Foreclosure Specialist at The Waterfront Project As the holiday season approaches, fraud activity rises sharply. Scammers prey on the spiritof giving, using fake charities, online shopping schemes, and phishing tactics to stealmoney and personal information. Fraud in the U.S. has reached crisis levels, and vulnerable populations—particularly older adults—are
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Client Success Story from Our Legal Intern!
Written by Beryl Dayton, Managing Attorney at The Waterfront Project Ms. A is a Section 8 tenant who was behind on her utilities and a small amount of rent. We settled back in July, but the landlord filed a certification of breach after she fell behind on the payment plan — even though all that
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Client Success Story – Protecting Renters from Luxury Development Pressure
Written By Stefany Perez, HUD Certified Housing Counselor at The Waterfront Project We were contacted by a client after their landlord issued a notice stating that the property was being retired from residential use and that all tenants needed to move within 3 months. The landlord stated the property had too many violations and they needed
