The Mediation Center and Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) plan to host an upcoming information session regarding their collaborative project, Homelessness Prevention through Mediation and Litigation.  

The program is designed to help nonprofit and government workers who would be in a position to make referrals to legal or mediation services for homeless individuals.  

The project is funded by the United Way of Transylvania County.  The goal of the program is to address housing issues that could put people at risk of homelessness.  Issues include evictions, foreclosures, unsafe living conditions, conflict, and more.  The law firm will offer civil legal support, while The Mediation Center will provide conflict resolution services.

According to attorney Madeline McKellyer Offen, “Access to affordable and decent housing is one of the most critical needs for families in Transylvania County.  With a vacancy rate of less than 1 percent, it is difficult for families to move or find housing that meets their needs.  By stabilizing, protecting or addressing the condition of housing that families can afford, we support them in avoiding homelessness.”

According to information from The Mediation Center’s, the center helps residents “move through difficult and stressful conflict that puts housing at risk.”  Mediation is often one of the most effective ways to resolve issues with housing.  The process allows those involved in a dispute – be they family members, roommates, or neighbors - to sit down and work through their differences before the issue escalates and results in someone being at risk for losing their home.  Services are confidential and free of charge.