HOUSTON \u2013 A Houston woman who says she was wrongfully evicted during the pandemic is speaking out about how Lone Star Legal Aid helped her win her case \u2014 as the nonprofit now faces the possibility of losing nearly half of its federal funding.<\/p>\n
Twyla Copaus said her former landlord accepted federal rental assistance from Harris County during the pandemic but still attempted to evict her twice. She said Lone Star Legal Aid attorneys stepped in, represented her in court and helped her win.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s wonderful. I wouldn\u2019t have made it without them,\u201d Copaus said. \u201cPeople should know these landlords can\u2019t get away with everything. Lone Star Legal Aid helped me win my case.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lone Star Legal Aid serves low-income Texans in civil matters \u2014 including eviction defense, unsafe housing conditions, protective orders for survivors of domestic violence, benefits assistance for veterans, and unlawful debt collection cases involving seniors.<\/p>\n
But the organization\u2019s federal funding is now at risk. Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which provides grants to Lone Star Legal Aid, is funded through Congress.<\/p>\n
According to LSC:<\/p>\n
Last year, LSC grantees in Texas helped\u00a0487,793 people\u00a0with civil legal problems.<\/p>\n
A proposed\u00a046% nationwide cut\u00a0would mean\u00a0Texas grantees would help 224,385 fewer people.<\/p>\n
LSC grantees in Texas served\u00a04,646 veterans\u00a0last year. A 46% cut would leave\u00a02,137 veterans\u00a0without those services.<\/p>\n
The White House has proposed eliminating LSC funding entirely. The House recommends a 46% cut, while the Senate supports a small increase. For now, a temporary funding measure runs through the end of January, leaving Lone Star Legal Aid\u2019s 2026 funding uncertain.<\/p>\n
Lone Star Legal Aid litigation director Dana Karni said any federal cuts would have a direct and devastating effect on the nonprofit\u2019s ability to serve Texans in crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve helped thousands of people avoid eviction during the pandemic, and we do so many other things,\u201d Karni said. \u201cIf our funding is cut, we will serve so many fewer individuals who are in dire need of civil legal aid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karni added that Houston and East Texas \u2014 areas repeatedly hit by natural and man-made disasters \u2014 would feel the impact most.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe impact would absolutely be monumental,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Federal funding makes up roughly half of its budget.<\/p>\n