The most popular answer from veterans around the country, including here in Louisiana, may surprise you: They need civil legal aid. They asked for lawyers to help resolve court fines, prevent eviction, restore suspended driver's licenses and handle child support issues.
Letter to Editor (Louisiana)
Laura Tuggle
Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA)
July 6, 2018
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Housing: Homelessness, Veterans
Organizations mentioned/involved: Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS)
Letter to Editor (Louisiana)
Laura Tuggle
Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA)
July 6, 2018
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Housing: Homelessness, Veterans
Organizations mentioned/involved: Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS)
DETAILS
Most of us have heard of public defenders; if you’re accused of a crime in America, you get a lawyer. But if you have civil legal troubles and can’t afford an attorney, you’re usually on your own. Landlord-tenant disputes, divorce and child support, consumer debt – all civil matters. Without a lawyer to fix these problems quickly, they get worse. Veterans can lose homes and livelihoods.
That’s why SLLS exists: to offer civil legal aid to people who can’t afford attorneys. In addition to our work with homeless veterans, we also help domestic violence survivors get restraining orders, fight unlawful evictions for low-income renters and help people rebuild their lives in the wake of natural disasters.