Eviction‑defense expansion, eviction diversion and a proposed housing trust fund get support at Harris County court

Advocates for eviction defense and housing stability urged commissioners to grow the county’s eviction‑defense programs and establish a housing trust to provide funds for legal aid, rental assistance and housing development. The court approved eviction‑defense budget enhancements and directed Housing & Community Development to use federal resources to pilot a Harris County Housing Trust Fund program year focused on legal representation and assistance for extremely low‑income households.

Why it matters: With tens of thousands of eviction filings in Harris County each year, advocates told the court that stronger eviction defense and targeted rental assistance reduce homelessness, downstream costs to health and social services, and stabilize communities.

Attribution: Testimony is taken from the public‑comment record and OMB’s service‑enhancement readout; motions and directions come from the court transcript.