In Dallas, Texas, the daily eviction court sessions highlight the struggles of individuals facing potential homelessness. The Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center (DEAC) aims to help these vulnerable defendants, offering free legal representation. Despite this assistance, only a small percentage, about 4-5%, reach out for help due to various factors, including distrust of lawyers. The common cause of evictions is nonpayment, often precipitated by unexpected emergencies. DEAC’s executive director emphasizes that their advocacy works within the system to confront housing law inequalities and aims to protect the dignity of those affected by evictions.
In most cases, the court isn't interested in the condition of the property or the understandable and often tragic reasons for falling behind on payments.
The work of DEAC is a form of organized resistance. They call it movement advocacy, occupying the system from within to expose its flaws.
We're shield lawyers, using the procedural framework of the eviction process to fight against a hostile system that displaces thousands of people each year.
Most people fall behind on rent due to an unexpected emergency: a layoff, illness, injury, the death, or deportation of a family member.
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