The Dallas City Council has voted to extend a contract with a non-profit that provides legal help to people facing eviction. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas started working with the city during the pandemic.
The city had previously approved $500,000 to work with the organization; through the end of November, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas says it had spent $433,284.
Council members say the non-profit had helped 844 people avoid eviction.
"There's continued need for this eviction assistance because of COVID-19," says Councilman Adam Bazaldua. "While we are seeing an increase in evictions, over the last few years, there has been a decrease in available resources."
Wednesday, the city council voted to authorize another $240,000 to continue the relationship with Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas for another year. The city is using money from the American Rescue Plan Act to pay for the partnership.
Bazaldua says, of the 844 people helped, 71.6% were female heads of household; 80% were Black.
"I think it's important to just highlight where these disparities lie and how we can make a huge impact with our residents with a little investment," he says.
Councilman Paul Ridley says people who face an eviction hearing without a lawyer have a success rate of less than ten percent. With a lawyer, he says the success rate increases to 70%.
"That indicates to me there are a lot of unjust evictions taking place in the city, and it indicates to me the value of legal representation to avoid such injustice," he says.
Councilmembers say continuing the relationship with ARPA money can help save the city money. Omar Narvaez says people who are evicted may wind up living on the street, and an increase in homelessness would wind up costing the city and non-profits more.
"There are still people who are dealing with some of the issues and after-effects of the pandemic," Narvaez says. "Yes, we say we're out of it, but we're not really out of it."
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