Housing Legal Services Fund (HLSF) Program


Harris County Community Services (CSD) has entered an agreement with Lone Star Legal Aid to increase access to justice for renters at risk of eviction.  

Under the Program, Lone Star Legal Aid, and some of the members of the Eviction Defense Coalition will provide free legal advice and representation to indigent Harris County residents at risk of eviction.

Eligibility

To qualify for legal services under the Program the applicant must:

      I.        Be a resident of Harris County, Texas; and

      II.       Have a total household income at or below 200% of the current Federal Poverty Guideline;

Priority will be given to applicants who qualify for unemployment benefits, experienced a reduction in income, financial cost, or financial hardship due to the COVID-19.

Legal Services

Legal services covered by the Program include legal services which promote a reduction in the number of eviction filings and eviction judgments, such as:

      I.        Advising tenants before evictions are filed when an imminent threat of eviction exists.

      II.       Providing direct representation once an eviction has been filed and providing representation in appeals.

    III.     Providing direct representation in formal and informal negotiations, including mediation to maintain tenancies or mitigate the chance that a tenant will experience a period of housing instability. 

Legal Service Providers

For available eviction prevention services, please contact the following providers:

Organization Weblinks
Lone Star Legal Aid https://www.lonestarlegal.org/
South Texas College of Law https://www.stcl.edu/academics/legal-clinics/
Houston Volunteer Lawyers https://www.makejusticehappen.org/