Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) today announced that the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has awarded $1,278,922 to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid to offer disaster legal services to Hurricane Harvey survivors.
“This funding from the Legal Services Corporation is critical for the many Texans still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Harvey,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “The services offered will allow every Harvey survivor to remain resilient and present the opportunity for full recovery.”
The LSC awarded 11 disaster relief grants totaling $14,145,055 to legal aid organizations in California, Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, and the Virgin Islands. Three Texas grantees received awards totaling $6,187,777: 1) Legal Aid of Northwest Texas at $20,066; 2) Lone Star Legal Aid at $4,888,789; and 3) Texas RioGrande Legal Aid at the aforementioned $1,278,922.
Funding will be used to empower statewide collaboration efforts to continue addressing residual side-effects of Hurricane Harvey. The aid will attempt to fill gaps in the present disaster legal services system and provide online resources for Hurricane Harvey survivors. It will all be used to develop a guided navigation platform that determines individualized resource needs and then provides those resources to disaster survivors and to a pro bono coordination network. Additionally, the grant will also support a statewide pro bono coordinator who will recruit, train, and support pro bono volunteers.
