Not alone: Legal support to stop foreclosures

As families with mortgages struggle to make ends meet and afford the rising cost of living in Puerto Rico, they face more opposition as they try to defend and save their homes. After consistently denying the mortgage crisis for years, financial institutions admit that more houses were foreclosed in this last term, a fact included in a report published by the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions. As it becomes more difficult for families to obtain alternative housing due to rising costs and a low stock of affordable homes, it is not enough to point to a low delinquency rate to ensure the well-being of the housing market.

In this context, housing advocates play a vital role in ensuring that families with mortgages are well-informed about their rights and the legal processes they need to navigate. This understanding is crucial as it shifts the narrative, acknowledging families as owners and not just debtors. We work towards compliance with civil rights and due processes through administrative and judicial complaints. Lastly, we advocate for policies and regulations that defend families.

As we near our first decade of advocacy, it's essential to acknowledge that most barriers families face result from a system that profits from housing as a business. Denying housing as a fundamental human right legitimizes opposition to changes at both individual and collective levels, prioritizing profit over homes. It's our responsibility to continue supporting people and serving as watchdogs for the inequity and benefits that erode housing and equitable enjoyment. We urge you to join us in this fight. Your support is crucial.

Links:

• The Affordable Housing Index