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On June 12, Harris County officially sent out half of its $30 million Coronavirus relief fund to 44 community-based organizations. These organizations are tasked with dispersing the money to eligible residents and families to help pay for housing, childcare, food, electricity, and other essential needs. Residents of Harris County in need can apply to qualify for the second round of […]

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 […]

Learn more about IMPACT, Lone Star Legal Aid’s group client and community partner, who has been working to raise awareness of legacy contamination in two Houston neighborhoods that is likely the source of a newly-determined Cancer Cluster, by watching this documentary by Aljazeera news. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of […]

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 […]

The United States Department of the Treasury began mailing prepaid debit cards to people who did not have direct deposit set up, instead of a paper check. EIP Card recipients can use them just like regular debit cards; to make purchases, get cash from in-network ATMs, and transfer funds to their personal bank account without incurring any fees. It could […]

Fort Bend County approved $19.5 million of funding to assist renters and landlords in paying rent, mortgage, and utilities during the Coronavirus pandemic. Funding for the County’s rental assistance program comes through the Federal CARES Act. The funding will be implemented in 3 phases of $6,500,000 each. Phase 1 will be from June-July, Phase 2 August-September, and Phase 3 October-November. […]

Lone Star Legal Aid is pleased to announce LSLA CARES, a property research and documentation tool that will help tenants search the many public databases currently available to find out if your property is subject to the CARES Act.  The CARES Act temporarily protects some renters from eviction for nonpayment of rent. It also stops late fees for rent for […]

LSLA will be hosting a chat with its community partner, The Jesse Tree, tomorrow afternoon on Facebook Live. Learn how the CARES Act provides protections to Texas tenants, stopping many landlords from going forward with evictions until August. Tune-in to our Facebook account @LoneStarLegalAid at 3 PM – Friday, May 22, 2020. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm […]

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 […]

What Is The CARES Act? The CARES Act temporarily protects some renters from eviction for nonpayment of rent. It also stops late fees for rent from March 26, 2020 until July 25, 2020. Landlords cannot issue notices to vacate for nonpayment during this time. You still have to pay rent even if your home is covered by the CARES Act. […]

With some evictions allowed to start now, it’s important to understand who can and who cannot be evicted at this time. LSLA will be hosting a chat with its community partner, United Way of Matagorda County, tomorrow afternoon on Facebook Live. Learn how the CARES Act provides protections to Texas tenants, stopping many landlords from going forward with evictions until […]

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. […]

Lone Star Legal Aid is no stranger to disaster recovery. This National Preparedness Month, as the world endures the COVID-19 Pandemic, LSLA focuses on continuing its hurricane preparation education. While it’s important to prepare the physical structure of your home for the elements, it is also important to make sure that your property is ready legally so that you are […]

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act gave people with federally backed mortgages certain temporary protection from foreclosure.  What is a federally backed mortgage under the CARES Act? A federally backed mortgage is a mortgage that is issued, purchased, or insured by one of the following government agencies: […]

Causing billions of dollars in damage annually, flooding is the biggest threat to property and lives during a hurricane or tropical storm.  Storm surges can be deadly, and a hurricane’s drenching rains can have profound impacts on communities located further inland, even 100 miles from the coast. While you can never be sure whether your home will flood or not, […]