News and stories about our work to protect and advance the civil legal rights of low-income Texans.
October is not just a month; it’s a movement. The month marks a significant time of year for survivors of domestic violence. Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is a way for survivors and advocates to connect across the nation, working to end violence against women, men, and children. This year, on October 19, 2023, DVAM will encourage people and organizations […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking initiative, Rise to Recovery, aimed at providing vital legal aid to individuals and families impacted by the opioid crisis. The opioid epidemic has had devastating consequences across our communities, leaving countless individuals facing a range of legal challenges, from child custody […]
Houston, TX – August 28, 2023 Violet Mae Richardson, through her attorney at Lone Star Legal Aid, is challenging a reverse mortgage lender’s unauthorized foreclosure, aiming to overturn the foreclosure and assert her rights. In 1948, the Pleasantville neighborhood was established to help form a community for marginalized groups dealing with housing discrimination at the time—namely middle income African Americans, […]
In observance of Labor Day, Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.
In 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), part of which continued Medicaid benefits for those already enrolled, regardless of any changes in eligibility. That continuous Medicaid coverage ended on March 31, 2023, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) began disenrolling recipients in May. HHSC began sending recertification letters to all Medicaid recipients […]
In 2013, Maira and Charlesh wed in Pakistan, aspiring to a brighter future in the United States. Charlesh migrated in 2015, followed by Maira and their child in 2017. They secured employment, obtained green cards, and aimed for U.S. citizenship. After arriving, Charlesh’s demeanor changed, leading to abuse and then a divorce and custody dispute. Charlesh deliberately isolated Maira and […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Harris County, TX – August 14, 2023 – Lone Star Legal Aid (“LSLA”), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal services to underserved communities, has achieved a significant victory for tenants by securing the dismissal of over 100 eviction cases at Cabo San Lucas and Redford Apartments in Harris County. In a remarkable demonstration of their […]
It wasn’t until 1990 that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law to give people with disabilities a chance at equal opportunity. People were living with disabilities that no one had ever heard of before but didn’t have equal access to justice. People were facing segregation, discrimination, and attacks on their basic human rights. Fast forward 25 […]
The Poverty Law Conference is hosted annually by the State Bar of Texas to educate poverty law attorneys about the legal issues that affect low-income Texans. This year, the 2023 conference is a hybrid event, with in-person presentations and award ceremonies in Austin, Texas. Many Lone Star Legal Aid staff will be in attendance this year. To learn more about […]
In the pursuit of a fresh start, individuals with felony and misdemeanor arrests on their records often rely on the expungement process to clear their past and pave the way for a brighter future. Unfortunately, even after the legal process is complete, records may not appear to be expunged. Such was the case for Brenda, a client who faced obstacles […]
Christina and Gabriel were best friends, husband and wife, and parents to three girls. Gabriel was described as goofy and a good listener – but he had a secret that would destroy their blended family unit. Christina’s middle daughter found Gabriel’s phone recording her taking a shower. She was just 13 at the time. It was clear that he intended […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 22, 2023 (Updated Friday, July 7, 2023) Houston, TX – Join us for a remarkable evening as Night Court proudly presents “The Law Files,” an event dedicated to supporting Houston area nonprofits, including Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military and Veterans Unit. We invite you to be part of this meaningful experience that aims to make […]
Access to justice is a fundamental right that gives every person access to legal remedies for their legal problems. However, for people with low-incomes, access to justice can be a challenge. Legal aid ensures access to justice regardless of a person’s financial means. What is Legal Aid? Legal aid is a system of providing legal assistance to individuals who cannot […]
Our elderly population routinely faces several forms of abuse, like neglect and financial exploitation. Consistently educating the public through advocacy and action will provide awareness and prevention of elder abuse. June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and today, June 15, is Elder Abuse Awareness Day! While physical abuse, neglect and abandonment are frequently used forms of elder abuse, financial exploitation […]
Contacts: Clarissa Ayala, cayala@lonestarlegal.org, 832-627-8404 Riikka Pohjankoski, riikka@airalliancehouston.org, 713-589-7079 Allyn West, awest@edf.org, 713-724-1810 MEDIA ADVISORY: (Houston, TX, June 15, 2023) — Concerned with the health and environmental risks connected to Port Houston’s $1 billion expansion of the Houston Ship Channel, known as Project 11, Healthy Port Communities Coalition representatives and legal and scientific experts will gather for a day of […]
PTSD Awareness Overview National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month is celebrated annually in June, and the awareness day is June 27, 2023. It aims to raise awareness of the disorder itself, which is a mental health issue that can develop after a person has endured a traumatic event, such as war, sexual assault, or a natural disaster. A person […]
If you’re living in “affordable housing,” you’re probably surrounded by poverty. It’s not supposed to be this way. When the poorest people are crowded in the least hospitable neighborhoods, it results in a lower standard of living. Ideally, subsidized housing would be constructed in areas with fewer poor people and less racial concentration. When developers try to build affordable housing […]
In observance of Juneteenth, Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, June 20th, 2023. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is pleased to announce a significant environmental justice settlement achieved in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on behalf of Super Neighborhood 48, encompassing Trinity Gardens and Houston Gardens. This groundbreaking agreement is a major step forward in protecting underserved communities and their rights to a healthy and sustainable environment. Super Neighborhood 48’s […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 8, 2023 Houston, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid, the third largest provider of free legal aid in Texas, has decided to discontinue its presence on Twitter and shift its focus towards exploring alternative methods of reaching and engaging with the community it serves. After careful consideration and evaluation of our communication strategies, we recognize […]
