The event showcased Aimee Williams, the associate vice president of justice for tenants, homeowners, and unhoused individuals at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a local free legal services agency.
Williams, a licensed attorney in California, has dedicated over a decade to housing law in LA, working in both nonprofit legal services and private practice on behalf of tenants and consumers.
Before and after the event, Williams sat down with HousingWire’s Reverse Mortgage Daily (RMD) to discuss her preparation and expectations for the event.
Impact of the fires
Williams noted the significant impact of wildfires on the communities served by the aging and disabilities department, particularly affecting seniors and low-income individuals.
Given the common overlap with reverse mortgage borrowers, the organization has strong partnerships with Bet Tzedek due to its elder justice initiatives.
” data-medium-file=”https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/aimeewilliams_bettzedek.jpeg?w=240″ data-large-file=”https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/aimeewilliams_bettzedek.jpeg?w=240″ alt=”Aimee Williams, Aimee Williams is the Associate Vice President of Justice for Tenants, Homeowners, and Unhoused Individuals at Bet Tzedek Legal Services.” class=”wp-image-522463″ style=”width:200px” srcset=”https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/aimeewilliams_bettzedek.jpeg 240w, https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/aimeewilliams_bettzedek.jpeg?resize=132,150 132w” sizes=”(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px”>
“We were invited to provide a ‘know-your-rights’ presentation at the event by different county agencies we partner with,” Williams explained.
Given Bet Tzedek’s focus on direct services, participating in the reverse mortgage event aligned well with their mission to reach more people in need of assistance.
“By offering community education, we aim to empower individuals to navigate complex processes and potentially prevent legal complications,” Williams stated.
Navigating disaster recovery
Williams highlighted the challenges faced during wildfire recovery, including navigating various rules, regulations, and requirements from reverse mortgage servicing, combined with disaster response mechanisms at local, state, and federal levels.
These challenges often involve significant financial decisions and balancing multiple factors.
“Interacting with agencies related to property taxes, insurance, FEMA, FHA, and mortgage servicers can be overwhelming,” Williams noted.
While FHA-backed reverse mortgages are common, Bet Tzedek also assists borrowers with proprietary reverse mortgage programs, which present unique challenges due to high home values in the county.
Approximately 10% of reverse mortgage borrowers served by the organization face foreclosure, often due to servicing issues, and the additional complications from wildfires can create legal complexities.
Hopes envisioned, initial response
Williams aimed to educate attendees on their obligations, particularly in rebuilding post-disaster, during the event. She emphasized the importance of understanding the rebuilding process for borrowers.
In a post-event interview, Williams described the positive outcome of the event, attended by around 30 individuals, including housing counselors and various agencies.
“The information shared was beneficial for all attendees, highlighting the importance of connecting with resources for disaster recovery,” Williams remarked.
She stressed the significance of disseminating information to aid individuals, whether they are reverse mortgage borrowers or homeowners in need of assistance.