2008 Snapshot

2008 Statistics through December 31, 2008

Mission

To provide pro bono legal services to low-income and indigent men and women of Harris County, and to promote volunteerism among the local legal community.

History

HVLP was founded in 1981 by the Houston Bar Association to respond to the low income population who were being turned away from legal aid because of funding or policy restrictions. Rather than cap the income guidelines at 125% and require documented citizenship, Houston Bar Foundation funding allowed HVLP to provide services for qualified applicants whose income was up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and whose status was undocumented. Those guidelines remain in effect today.

HVLP 2008 Statistics as of December 31, 2008

• Screened 26,850 requests for assistance
• Conducted 1,515 interviews
• Referred out 1,756 cases to volunteer attorneys
• closed 10,940 cases
• Volunteer attorneys time: 21,882 hours

Equivalent value of legal services: $3,282,300 (calculated at $150 per hour)

Funding Sources

• Houston Bar Foundation
• Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation
• Lone Star Legal Aid
• Ryan White Title 1
• Internal Revenue Service
• Texas Bar Foundation
• Exxon Mobil Corporation
• City of Houston
• Hamman Foundation
• Houston Endowment
• AIDS Walk
• Private Contributors

Types of Cases Taken

Any civil matter including: Family Law (divorce, custody, support, etc.); Guardianships; Bankruptcies; Landlord/Tenant disputes; Consumer issues; Wills and Estate Planning; Tax Controversies; Deed Restrictions. HVLP does not handle criminal issues, traffic matters, or fee-generating cases.