Harris County Commissioners Expand Eviction Defense Program with New Funding for Legal Aid Services
In a unanimous vote Tuesday, Harris County Commissioners approved $4 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to expand the Eviction Legal Aid Program to all 16 of the County’s Justice of the Peace Courts.
Eviction filings in Harris County have continued to rise since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, in 2021, Harris County invested an initial $1 million in ARPA funding to provide pro bono representation to low-income tenants facing eviction proceedings.
In March 2023, Harris County invested an additional $4 million in ARPA funding toward contracts with Lone Star Legal Aid and Neighborhood Defender Services to serve eight Justice of the Peace Courts that handle the largest share of eviction filings in Harris County. A great need for these services persists throughout the County. In fact, both organizations had a target to assist at least 2,000 people by November 30, 2023—but surpassed that goal, serving more than 7,200 individuals.
The latest funding expands Harris County’s Community Services Division’s Eviction Legal Aid Program to all 16 Justice of the Peace Courts through awards of $2 million each to Lone Star Legal Aid and Neighborhood Defender Services. The amended contracts will now run through December 31, 2024.
Since 2020, an estimated 30% of all eviction filings in Harris County occurred in Precinct 4, the second highest of the four Commissioner precincts. From 2020 to 2022, eviction filings in Precinct 4 more than doubled.
"Expanding this investment to all 16 Justice of the Peace courts will help drive a fairer judicial process for eviction filings across Harris County," Commissioner Lesley Briones said.
Thao Costis from the Harris County Community Services Department considers both stable housing and secure immigration status to be not only moral imperatives but also cornerstones of a thriving economy. She firmly believes that legal defense services for immigrants and evictions contribute to keeping people employed, children in school, and communities vibrant.
Managing Director of Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) Meenu Walters asserts that no one should confront the threat of eviction alone. Since NDS was established, their team has provided advice, counsel, or full representation to nearly 2000 Houston residents at risk of losing their homes.
Commissioner Briones believes the new eviction appeal docket will not only streamline the legal process but also provide tenants another chance to improve their outcomes, establish fairness, and refine the administration of justice in the county.
"The new eviction appeal docket will shorten the wait time to disposition for eviction appeal cases. It will also support landlords looking for faster resolution to cases, as well as assist other litigants in non-eviction-related civil cases who are waiting for their day in court," said Commissioner Briones.
Source: HCP4
