Direct Services
Legal Aid
If you have a very low income, you may qualify for one of Texas’s three legal aid services. If you don’t qualify, look below for more legal services. Image below is from Texas Judicial Branch.
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas: 888-529-5277 — free legal aid for low income people in northern and western Texas
Lone Star Legal Aid: 800-733-8394 — free legal aid for low income people in southern and eastern Texas
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: 888-988-9996 — serving low income people in southwest Texas
Dallas Evictions: (text) 469-436-2704 — free legal help for people who don’t qualify for legal aid
Houston Volunteer Lawyers: 713-228-0735 — apply online if you live in Harris County and have a low income
Lawyer Referral & Information Service: 800-252-9690 — the State Bar of Texas can match you with a lawyer that fits your legal and financial needs
Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas: 512-472-8303 or 866-303-8303 — apply online or by phone for a 30 consultation that costs $20
Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas - 512-476-5550
For additional legal services, check out TexasLawHelp.org’s Legal Help Finder.
Fair Housing
Fair housing refers to the Fair Housing Act, a law that protects people from discrimination in the rental or sale of housing based on their race, color, religion, national origin, familial status (having kids under 18 or being pregnant), sex, and disability. If you think you have been discriminated against you can submit a complaint to HUD and represent yourself or contact one of the organizations below:
North Texas Fair Housing Center: 469-941-0375
Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio: 210-711-3247
Disability Rights Texas: 800-252-9108
Austin Tenants Council: 512-474-1961
To learn more about the Fair Housing Act, check out the Discrimination page.
COVID-19 and general services
If you’re having trouble paying rent, make a payment plan with your landlord:
Your rights
Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Disability Rights Texas)
Evictions During the COVID-19 Pandemic (TexasLawHelp.org)
Help with Utilities During COVID-19 (TexasLawHelp.org)
Section 8 Housing Rights during COVID-19 (TexasLawHelp.org)
File a Consumer Complaint with the Attorney General’s Office
Resources
COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Map (National Low Income Housing Coalition)
Houston Disaster Resource Guide (Houston Immigration Legal Services)
Mortgage relief and avoiding scams (Consumer Financial Protection)
Tenant Resource Catalog (BASTA Austin)
