The Oklahoma Bar Journal February 2024

B ar F oundation N ews

OBF Announces 2024 Housing Protection and Community Redevelopment Grantees

T HE OKLAHOMA BAR FOUNDATION is excited to announce that $331,800 in grants will fund six nonprofits providing legal representation to low-income Oklahomans in the areas of foreclosure, eviction, domestic violence, civil legal aid and commutation.

2024 HOUSING PROTECTION & COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT GRANTEES

Grantee

Area of Service

Funding Amount

Community Action Agency (LASO)*

Canadian and Oklahoma counties

$47,500

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma – Mortgage Foreclosure Defense OCU School of Law – Pro Bono Housing Foreclosure and Eviction Assistance Program

LeFlore, Pittsburg and other counties $50,000

Oklahoma County

$90,300

Safe Center (LASO)*

Stephens and Jefferson counties

$48,000

Tulsa County Bar Association

Tulsa County

$6,000

Tulsa County Public Defender – Project Commutation Tulsa County

$90,000

Total

$331,800

*Indicates embedded attorney from Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (LASO)

GRANTEE HIGHLIGHT The Mortgage Foreclosure Defense program at Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma positively impacts about 75 families per year that are on the verge of losing their homes. The program provides access to a reliable attorney and other effective resources to educate homeowners and communicate with lenders to resolve issues so that families can stay in their homes. This program focuses on Oklahoma counties experiencing a high number of home foreclosures, like Pittsburg and LeFlore counties.

COURT GRANT APPLICATION OPEN NOW How can the OBF help improve the administration of justice in your courtroom? Courts can apply now through March 4 for an OBF Court Grant for technological equipment like interactive display boards and audio/video systems. Find the online application at www.okbarfoundation.org/grants/grant-applications.

56 | FEBRUARY 2024

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL