When Drew, a disabled Army veteran, fell behind on rent, he faced more than just a late payment. He faced the very real threat of homelessness. Living in a rented RV without running water, Drew was already enduring unsafe and unsanitary conditions. When his landlord moved to evict him, it pushed an already desperate situation to the brink.
But Drew didn’t have to fight alone.
With help from Staff Attorney Chad Elrod of our Military & Veterans Unit, Drew challenged the eviction in court. Our legal team successfully got the case dismissed, giving him time to stabilize his situation and focus on finding secure housing.
That extra time made all the difference.
By the time his case closed, Drew had secured a housing voucher, an essential step toward permanent housing. With the looming threat of eviction off his record, he was able to apply for apartments and work toward a new beginning. What started as a crisis became a turning point.
For many low-income tenants, a single missed rent payment can quickly snowball into a full-blown housing emergency. Even if an eviction never results in removal, it can appear on a tenant’s record for years, making it harder to rent in the future. For veterans like Drew, who already face barriers to employment, healthcare, and housing access, the stakes are even higher.
Lone Star Legal Aid provides free legal help to those facing eviction, unsafe living conditions, and housing discrimination. In cases like Drew’s, a timely legal defense doesn’t just stop an eviction—it creates space for stability, recovery, and long-term housing solutions.
Thanks to LSLA’s advocacy, Drew is now pursuing permanent housing with dignity and the support he needs. His story is a reminder that housing is not just a basic need—it’s the foundation for rebuilding a life.
Names have been changed to protect the identity of the client(s).
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org