City of Sarasota
Home MenuNewtown Title Assistance Grant Program
Office of Economic Development and Manasota Legal Aid
Newtown Title Assistance Recording of the Informational Webinar held on February 18, 2021.
Background
In low-income communities throughout the country, generations of families live in houses and mobile homes to which they may be legally entitled, but for which they lack proper record title. Oftentimes, title problems arise in the context of a disaster whether natural or accidental – only homeowners with clear title are eligible for Federal assistance such as FEMA, and many other forms of disaster-related relief to repair and rebuild their home structures. Without disaster assistance to their low-income residents, entire communities can be devastated. Without proof of clear title, owners cannot receive emergency relief for natural disasters, apply for home-improvement loans, participate in Federal, State or Local grant funding programs, acquire Homestead exemptions(may pay increased property taxes based on an investor percentage) and often cannot acquire the necessary permits for much needed home repairs and other maintenance.
As part of an initiative to address this issue in low-income communities, Legal Aid of Manasota is partnering with the City of Sarasota's Economic Development Office to provide legal services for Newtown CRA residents to obtain clear title on their inherited homes. The CRA Agency has authorized up to $100,000 in TIF funding to go towards supplementing the legal costs associated with Newtown resident's title reconciliation efforts. Legal costs can include the costs of recording official documents, completing title searches and archiving property records and much more.
For more information please contact:
Linda Harradine, CEO, Legal Aid of Manasota
(941) 366-0038 or at LindaH@LegalAidofManasota.org
Pamela Fields, Pro Bono Coordinator, Legal Aid of Manasota
(941) 366-0038 or at PamelaF@LegalAidofManasota.org