All about Houston’s right to counsel pilot programs
UPDATE: Pilot projects receives new funding while RTC gets seal of approval from residents
In March 2023, Harris County allocated $4 million to legal services to expand the tenant representation pilot that had been going for several years. Then, a 2023 report from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research announced that 81% of polled Houston residents suported a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
UPDATE: city/county task force urges right to counsel
The Harris County Housing Stability Task Force, created by Harris County and the City of Houston, has issued recommendations that include establishing a right to counsel for evictions.
Background
In Houston, an initiative launched by a Justice of the Peace has resulted in the creation of a limited universal counsel program for tenants. All tenants in a small handful of JP courts in Houston will receive counsel, and the tenants will be served by Lone Star Legal Aid. See Lone Star Legal Aid Press Release (Sept. 3, 2020).
The NCCRC has provided input and guidance to some of the founders of the project.
