Texas Access to Justice Foundation
Oct. 21, 2020
Stop TX Eviction Launches to Keep Renters Housed
Texas legal aid providers collaborate on one-stop-shop to support Texas renters
AUSTIN, Texas–– Millions of Texans are struggling to pay rent and facing possible evictions. Stop TX Eviction, a new online information portal, is a step-by-step guide to help tenants understand their legal rights and the remedies available to keep them housed.
Stop TX Eviction, a project of Texas’ primary legal aid providers, helps tenants understand their rights and the eviction process, locate rental assistance, and apply for free legal help.
Available in English and Spanish, the site helps renters:
• Access essential documents they can give to their landlord or a court;
• Locate and apply for free legal services for tenants who qualify;
• Find out about rental assistance and other resources, and how to apply; and
• Participate in an online chat with a lawyer who may be able to answer questions about evictions.
Stop TX Eviction also provides important information about the new Texas Eviction Diversion Program, a recently launched $171 million program to help tenants pay rent and stay in their homes.
The program began on Oct. 12 as a pilot in 19 counties across the state (see the list, below). It is expected to expand to the rest of Texas in November and continue through at least Dec. 18.
Stop TX Eviction is a collaboration between Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Texas Legal Services Center, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas. This project is possible with generous funding from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.
The pilot counties currently participating in the Eviction Diversion Program are:
Bee Jim Wells
Bexar Kleberg
Brazos Montgomery
Chambers Palo Pinto
Deaf Smith Parker
El Paso Potter
Erath Randall
Fannin San Patricio
Grayson Wise
Harris
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation, created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the largest 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 more than 140,000 Texas families each year. For more information, please visit: www.tajf.org.
Kimberly Schmitt
512-320-0099, ext. 104
kschmitt@teajf.org