News and stories about our work advancing civil legal rights for low-income Texans.
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As millions of Texans continue to struggle with financial hardships brought on by mass layoffs and record job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston became one of the first major American cities to allow eviction proceedings to resume after the Texas Supreme Court lifted a temporary statewide moratorium on evictions in May. While the federal CARES Act continues to prohibit […]
The Federal Government has approved protections for homeowners struggling economically as a result of COVID-19 related illness or loss of wages. Below you will find resources to several foreclosure moratoriums that could save your home. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorized the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to implement an immediate foreclosure and eviction moratorium for single family […]
Family dynamics have been altered due to the current health pandemic which have put children at a higher risk for abuse and neglect. The decline of childcare availability and economic hardship resulting from loss of employment may affect how parents and guardians treat their children. Abusive behaviors include sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. As the world tackles the virus and […]
All Lone Star Legal Aid offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2020, in observance of Juneteenth. All offices will reopen during normal business hours on Monday, June 22, 2020. Online applications may be submitted at any time at www.lonestarlegal.org.
On June 12, Harris County officially sent out half of its $30 million Coronavirus relief fund to 44 community-based organizations. These organizations are tasked with dispersing the money to eligible residents and families to help pay for housing, childcare, food, electricity, and other essential needs. Residents of Harris County in need can apply to qualify for the second round of […]
LSLA will be hosting a live chat with its partner, Credit Coalition, and its Foreclosure Prevention Project on Friday afternoon on Facebook Live. Learn how to the CARES Act protects properties from foreclosure. Tune-in to our Facebook account @LoneStarLegalAid at 3 PM – Friday, June 19, 2020. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy […]
Learn more about IMPACT, Lone Star Legal Aid’s group client and community partner, who has been working to raise awareness of legacy contamination in two Houston neighborhoods that is likely the source of a newly-determined Cancer Cluster, by watching this documentary by Aljazeera news. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of […]
Lone Star Legal Aid’s online intake is now available in Spanish and Vietnamese. According to the Texas Tribune, “Of the nearly 24 million people in Texas five years or older, 65 percent speak only English at home. The rest speak more than 160 languages combined.” Spanish and Vietnamese are numbers 1 and 2 in the top 10 languages spoken in […]
A Houston program is now providing free animal boarding services to survivors of abuse, in effort to help them flee from their violent homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Houston Dog Ranch is partnering with animal shelter PetSet to launch “Pet Protect,” a service to cover boarding costs, and training or rehabilitation fees for both the dog and owner. Dogs […]
Hurricane season has officially started. With storms already being identified and named, Lone Star Legal Aid would like to remind its client community that we are available to assist in the recovery process. Our Disaster Relief Unit has extensive experience helping families in our service area as well as those who relocated to our service area in an evacuation as […]
LSLA will be hosting a live chat with its Disaster Relief Unit on Friday afternoon on Facebook Live. Learn how to legally prepare yourself for hurricane season. Tune-in to our Facebook account @LoneStarLegalAid at 3 PM – Friday, June 5, 2020. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. […]
The United States Department of the Treasury began mailing prepaid debit cards to people who did not have direct deposit set up, instead of a paper check. EIP Card recipients can use them just like regular debit cards; to make purchases, get cash from in-network ATMs, and transfer funds to their personal bank account without incurring any fees. It could […]
Lone Star Legal Aid was awarded an emergency grant to expand its military and veteran services to all of Texas. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military Veterans Unit (MVU) provides free civil legal services to low-income United States military veterans, their dependents, and surviving spouses- now, throughout the State of Texas. The MVU can help with veterans benefits, housing issues (evictions, […]
Fort Bend County approved $19.5 million of funding to assist renters and landlords in paying rent, mortgage, and utilities during the Coronavirus pandemic. Funding for the County’s rental assistance program comes through the Federal CARES Act. The funding will be implemented in 3 phases of $6,500,000 each. Phase 1 will be from June-July, Phase 2 August-September, and Phase 3 October-November. […]
Lone Star Legal Aid is pleased to announce LSLA CARES, a property research and documentation tool that will help tenants search the many public databases currently available to find out if your property is subject to the CARES Act. The CARES Act temporarily protects some renters from eviction for nonpayment of rent. It also stops late fees for rent for […]
LSLA will be hosting a chat with its community partner, The Jesse Tree, tomorrow afternoon on Facebook Live. Learn how the CARES Act provides protections to Texas tenants, stopping many landlords from going forward with evictions until August. Tune-in to our Facebook account @LoneStarLegalAid at 3 PM – Friday, May 22, 2020. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm […]
Houston, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid announces a new grant provided by the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund. This grant is made possible as a result of the United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation, standing together to help support those impacted by COVID-19 and those who may be impacted in the future due to […]
Each year during the month of May, individuals and organizations join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. By raising awareness, we can fight the stigma, provide support, and educate the public. Effect of crime on mental health Victimization can be a difficult and stressful experience. Getting back to normal after a crime can cause depression, anxiety, and […]
Updated July 1, 2020 The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of Agriculture, and the Texas Education Agency have created a new program to help parents of school-age children. WHAT IS IT? COVID P-EBT BENEFITS – A ONE TIME BENEFIT of $285 per child (like disaster food stamps), for people with school-age children on FREE OR REDUCED PRICE […]
All Lone Star Legal Aid offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2020, in observance of Memorial Day. All offices will reopen for telephone and online applications on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Have a safe and joyous holiday!