Nearly a month into the ongoing government shutdown, nearly a million federal employees — including TSA agents and air traffic controllers — are still showing up to work without pay.
17 minutes ago25 minutes agoHouston’s viral ‘Brick Lady’ found guilty in $42K GoFundMe theft schemeNearly a month into the ongoing government shutdown , nearly a million federal employees — including TSA agents and air traffic controllers — are still showing up to work without pay.
For many who live paycheck to paycheck, the strain is growing severe, with rent, mortgage, and other essential bills becoming harder to cover. As finances dwindle, questions are rising about how quickly an eviction can happen — and what protections, if any, tenants have when circumstances are out of their control.Attorney Jon-Ross Trevino with Lone Star Legal Aid says tenants can face eviction proceedings in as little as a month after missing rent.“If individuals don’t make the payments on the first or when they’re due, can file eviction that same month,” Trevino explained. “The timeframe that a person can go from missing one payment to being homeless can be about a month — sometimes less. That judicial process can move very fast.”No minimum for how far behind you can fall“There is no bottom-line limit,” Duble said. “Any lease violation — including a late payment — can be the basis of an eviction. There’s no floor or ceiling to that amount.”When it comes to legal protections for renters who can’t pay due to job loss or other hardships, Trevino said options are limited. “Unfortunately, the rights are very limited,” he said. “There aren’t really explicit rights for individuals at this time to avoid eviction. That’s what’s really problematic.” Judge Duble added that outside of emergency federal protections — like those issued during the COVID-19 pandemic — Texas law generally holds tenants responsible for lease violations regardless of personal circumstances. “Somebody losing their job or being in the hospital — those are not legal excuses under Texas law to violate your lease,” he explained.Both Duble and Trevino emphasized that communication between landlords and tenants is critical during times of financial hardship. “It’s up to the landlord to be human, to understand what’s going on, and to work with the tenants,” said Trevino. “The Justice of the Peace courts where the evictions happen are courts of equity. So, a court can listen to both sides, but, unfortunately, they’re also bound by what legal ramifications are, what the law is.”“See if you can work out a payment plan or an extension,” he advised. “But if it’s going to court, show up. It’s very important that you show up for court, because you never know what options the judge can give to either party, or what resources may be available.”, Harris County courts have launched programs that connect tenants with volunteer attorneys to help negotiate agreements between the Landlord and tenant before an eviction permanently appears on their record. The Houston Volunteer Lawyer Program currently also operates in 2 other courts, presiding Judge Victor Treviño III, Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6, Place 1, and Judge Dolores Lozano, Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Place 2. It has successfully helped in 34 Rule 11 settlement agreements, and 2 agreed continuances, standing at around a 70% success rate.Joy Addison joined the KPRC 2 News team in November of 2024. She is a native Mississippian and moved to Houston in 2019.Fast-moving fire swept through Houston apartment; residents jump from windowsTexans safety Jalen Pitre helps out at Salvation Army!FRIDAY FOOTBALL FRENZY GAME OF THE WEEK: C.E. King Panthers vs. North Shore MustangsLarge west Houston apartment fire under control after dramatic rescuesData shows 189 bodies recovered from Houston bayous since 2017INSIDE HURRICANE MELISSA: Hurricane Hunters forced to abort mission due to heavy turbulenceHouston Food Bank steps up food distribution as thousands face interrupted SNAP benefitsHouston woman’s Jamaican vacation takes a turn as Category 5 Hurricane Melissa nears landfallDistrict 18 Race: Why George Foreman IV is running for the vacant seatGovernment shutdown threatens SNAP benefits for nearly 900,000 Houstonians
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