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News Release
Texas Access to Justice Foundation
AUSTIN, Texas–– The
Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF), the state’s largest funding
source for civil legal aid, in partnership with the Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) today announced a $20 million Housing
Stability Services (HSS) Program grant package for COVID-19-related housing
legal services. The grant period for this assistance will run through August
30, 2022.
As
the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact hundreds of thousands of Texans
unable to pay their rent or stay in their homes, these funds will allow TAJF
grantees – legal aid organizations throughout the state - to provide free
civil legal services to eligible households experiencing housing insecurity.
The services include:
"We
are so grateful to have received invaluable funding through the Housing
Stability Services Program to help Texans still suffering in the fallout of
the pandemic, especially for those dealing with the loss of their homes,”
said Betty Balli Torres, executive director of the Texas Access to Justice
Foundation. “The need for legal services remains high, and this grant will
allow our legal aid organizations to continue doing critical legal services
to keep families in their homes.”
The
funds are provided through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program from the
U.S. Treasury Department, which was authorized under the Consolidated
Appropriations Act in 2021. Under this grant, up to 10% of the funds will be
used for Housing Stability Services, which includes legal services. These
services may include: eviction defense, help accessing local and state
rental assistance, and other legal services that keep Texans and their
families in stable housing.
“The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is proud to be
partnering with the Texas Access to Justice Foundation to fund legal aid
organizations providing on-the-ground legal support to tenants impacted by
the pandemic,” said Bobby Wilkinson, Executive Director of the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs. “Making sure Texas tenants and
landlords know their rights and how to access emergency rental assistance is
critical to stopping evictions and keeping tenants housed as our communities
recover from the pandemic.”
Requests for legal help by eligible Texans has increased by as much as 35%,
most notably in cases involving evictions and employment issues as a result
of quarantines causing record unemployment. The statewide legal aid website,
TexasLawHelp.org, has seen a historic increase in searches for legal
information, including an almost 1,500% increase in web traffic for
unemployment help.
These funds are crucial as civil legal aid is a vital component of the
public response to and recovery from the public health crisis. Legal aid is
a safety net that keeps our fellow Texans from going over the edge; without
it, they might never recover even when the economy improves.
To access legal help with
COVID-related housing issues, visit:
https://TexasLawHelp.org/eviction-information. The Texas Access to Justice Foundation was created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984 to provide funding for the civil legal needs of poor and low-income Texans. The Foundation grants millions of dollars each year to approximately 40 organizations offering free civil legal assistance to qualified Texans. With TAJF grants, legal aid organizations advise more than 150,000 low-income Texans annually on such civil matters as protection from domestic violence, assistance with housing, and other critical legal issues.
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (www.tajf.org), created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the primary
state-based funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in Texas.
The organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal
access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation administers a
variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist nonprofit
organizations in providing legal aid to approximately 150,000 Texas families
each year. The Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs
is committed to expanding fair housing choice
and opportunities for Texans through the administration and funding of
affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, weatherization, and
community-based services with the help of for-profits, nonprofits, and local
governments. For more information about fair housing, funding opportunities,
or services in your area, please visit
www.tdhca.state.tx.us
or the
Learn about Fair
Housing in Texas
page.
Kimberly Schmitt Kristina Tirloni, TDHCA
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