HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Harris County Commissioners Lesley Briones and Rodney Ellis praised new funding for eviction legal aid at a news conference Friday.
According to their press release, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Harris County has seen a historic increase in eviction cases, rising from 33,000 in 2020 to 82,000 in 2023.
Recommended Videos
In response, Harris County leaders have invested $9 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide legal aid to renters facing eviction.
Contracts with Lone Star Legal Aid and Neighborhood Defender Services are serving 16 Justice of the Peace Courts that handle the largest share of eviction filings in Harris County
Both organizations had a target to assist at least 2,000 people by Nov. 30 of 2023, but surpassed that goal, serving more than 7,200 individuals.
But Pct. 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said it’s not enough to provide legal aid, and more must be done to address the housing crisis.
“Here in Harris County, we have invested $85 million in affordable single-family housing, and $68.5 million in affordable multi-family housing,” Commissioner Briones said.
“Every child in this community deserves to have a place they can call home every single night,” she stated.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis agreed, and said the funds will help improve housing equity.
“Funding legal services like eviction defense is essential. It’s an essential investment in housing stability,” he said.
All $9 million of this funding will allow legal service providers to provide advice and representation to renters facing eviction, ensuring tenants can navigate through a very complex proceeding process dealing with a traumatic moment in their lives.”
SEE ALSO: