News and stories about our work to protect and advance the civil legal rights of low-income Texans.
In Texas, National Night Out is celebrated on the first Tuesday in August, which is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide. In 1984, law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state […]
Purpose Every year in July, organizations and government agencies focus their efforts on working to protect the military consumer. The purpose of this annual campaign is to raise awareness of how military service members and their families are at a heightened risk for fraud scams and identity theft. Learn more about how you can protect active and retired veterans in […]
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 […]
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 […]
Each month, Lone Star Legal Aid recognizes victim-centered national and international awareness raising opportunities. These opportunities help crime survivors obtain the information they need to recover and also educate the community on how they can advocate for that particular cause. Below are all of the awareness opportunities happening in June. National Elder Abuse Awareness Month Elder abuse is defined as […]
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 […]
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 […]
Lone Star Legal Aid announces the launch of its Eviction HELP Project. This project is a self-guided tool that helps Texas renters to fight evictions during the COVID 19 Pandemic. Right now, thousands of renters across Texas are facing evictions. But there are protections for renters. The Eviction HELP Project helps eviction litigants prepare for court by giving renters legal […]
Late Wednesday night, on April 23, a wayward tornado tore through Onalaska, Texas in Polk County, leaving some dead, many injured, and even more destruction in its wake. The aftermath left many residents displaced and in dire need of help. Lone Star Legal Aid’s community partner, Red Cross, rushed to address the immediate needs of those affected by the storm, […]
Have environmental laws changed during COVID-19? Yes, some temporary changes were recently made to both federal and state environmental policies in response to COVID-19. On March 26, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the agency’s exercise of its enforcement discretion for noncompliance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy applies retroactively beginning on March 13, 2020. A seven-page […]
The Texas Supreme Court issued an order April 27, 2020, in effect until July 15, 2020, saying that for determining a person’s right to possession of and access to a child under a court-ordered possession schedule, the existing trial court order controls in all instances. Family Law experts from Lone Star Legal Aid’s Justice for Crime Survivors Project and Legal […]
On May 6, Houston City Council members approved a $15 million rental relief program to help landlords and renters make up for rent losses due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Funding for the City’s rental assistance program comes through the Federal CARES Act. The program will cover up to $1,056 per month in rent expenses for the months of April and […]
With the 2020 National Hurricane Preparedness Week wrapping up, Lone Star Leal Aid would like to share a different spin on other ways to be prepared for what is to come after the storm. It only takes one hurricane to ruin a community or a person’s life, but it can also only take one scammer to do the same. Do […]
You and your family’s personal safety comes first when preparing for a disaster. Disasters can take lives, homes, cars, as well as all of your personal belongings. Having your financial, medical, and identification information and documentation safe is vital to start the recovery process. Taking the time to protect these documents will save you from unnecessary stress following a disaster. […]
Community members have a unique voice when it comes to commenting on large infrastructure projects which can impact community health, safety, and livelihoods. The public comment process provides an opportunity for community members to share their personal experiences and concerns about a potential project undergoing the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act. In the following video presentation, LSLA […]
One week in April every year is reserved for recognizing crime victims and their rights. A national focus on crime victims dates back to 1965 and since then has strengthened federal legislation, court decisions, government action, and programs when working with crime victims. The week-long campaign promotes victim’s rights and those who advocate on their behalf. Raising awareness on crime […]
All thirty days in April are devoted to Sexual Assault Awareness and are advocated around the world to raise awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. Talking about sexual assault helps end the stigma and with continuing support, we can all decrease the amount of sexual assaults that occur every year. Now is the time […]
The outbreak and alarming spread of the Coronavirus is causing added stress and financial instability for many families around the world. This can cause an increase in domestic and sexual violence seen in abusive partners. The idea of social distancing is to flatten the curve of the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases and eliminate the spread of the virus. […]
Overview The Coronavirus outbreak is a global pandemic spreading fast causing panic among Americans as the outbreak kills more and more people each day. People are becoming wary of the severity and fear for their lives and the lives of others. Unfortunately, the chaos and disparity circulating the Coronavirus has caused people to fall victim to many scams which result […]
Overview When a disaster strikes, consumers should be on the lookout for dishonest repair fraud service providers. These individuals and businesses prey on disaster victims knowing they are in their most vulnerable state. If you come across this situation, do not make any rash decisions. Research your options carefully to avoid losing your property or money. Other post-disaster repair scams […]