“Greg”* is a veteran who was referred by Community Hope SSVF to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) for assistance with his debt relief matter. At the time of his referral to VLJ, Greg was living in a small shack with no running water or electricity, forcing Greg to depend on his “neighbors” for electricity via an extension cord.

At one point, Greg’s neighbors put their PSEG bill in his name, with Greg’s consent, but failed to make multiple payments. This resulted in a PSEG bill of $2,940.64 in Greg’s name that was ultimately sent to collections. This unpaid bill was the only thing preventing Greg from obtaining much needed housing assistance, thus forcing him to remain unsuitably housed.