With the 2019 hurricane season in full swing, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) is conducting disaster-preparedness sessions for community members in Texas' flood-prone regions. TRLA has already held a dozen sessions and has scheduled two more, one for Sept. 11 in Brownsville and another for Sept. 18 in Sinton. (Please see schedule below.) 

“There are so many legal issues that come up after a disaster,” said Tracy Figueroa, coordinator for TRLA’s Disaster Assistance Group. “For example, some government and privately funded programs require you to have title to your home to get repair assistance. Many Hurricane Harvey survivors are still struggling to address these legal issues, and it’s disrupting their ability to recover. It’s vital that people think about these aspects of disaster preparedness and take steps now.” 

Along with clearing title – which may involve real estate, probate, and manufactured housing issues – the sessions cover property insurance, renters’ rights and obligations in a disaster, and how to prepare documentation for an effective application for disaster benefits. 

TRLA has organized the sessions with community partners, including the First United Methodist Church in Sinton, Equal Voice Network, La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), Proyecto Azteca, ARISE, the Red Cross, the Mexican American Unity Council (MAUC), Proyecto Juan Diego, BUCKNER, and Victoria Long Term Recovery Group.

The sessions are funded by a community education grant from the Texas Bar Foundation. More sessions will be scheduled as organizations request them. Groups interested in scheduling sessions may contact TRLA.

“We’re grateful to the Texas Bar Foundation for providing the funding to help make this happen,” Figueroa said.  

Upcoming Sessions

Brownsville (in Spanish) Sept. 11, 2019, Proyecto Juan Diego Programa de Familia (IFP) 3910 Paredes Line.

• 9-10:30 am. “Clearing Title to Homes (Real Estate, Probate, Mobile Home Issues)”

Sinton (in English) Sept. 18, 2019. First United Methodist Church 405 W. Sinton St.

• 9 am “What Lawyers Want You to Know About Disaster Preparedness"

• 9:30 am “Renters’ Rights and Obligations in a Disaster”

• 10 am  “Clearing Title to Homes (Real Estate & Probate)"

• 10:30 am “Clearing Title to Manufactured Homes"

• 11 am “Basics of Property Insurance"