LSA awarded grant to expand veteran services in Selma, Tuscaloosa

Legal Services Alabama (LSA) has been awarded a grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation to expand its free services for veterans in Selma and Tuscaloosa. 

"Veterans often face legal issues that make it difficult for them to obtain or maintain stable housing," said a press release from LSA. "Factors like economic instability, mental health issues, and lack of affordable housing contribute to the problem."

LSA’s Tuscaloosa regional office comprises of Bibb, Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston counties while the Selma regional office comprises Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry, Sumter, and Wilcox.

The press release said that the project attorney’s primary role will be representing eligible clients (veteran and low- to moderate-income) in civil legal matters, the majority of which are legal representation for housing (including eviction defense) representation in landlord-tenant cases, and representation in foreclosure cases.

There is also family law, including help with court proceedings for child support and custody, divorce, estate planning, and family reconciliation, as well as income support, which includes assistance in obtaining public benefits.

Additionally LSA will offer assistance for issues related to homelessness, such as outstanding warrants, fines, driver's license revocation, and citations, as well as protective orders and issues related to domestic or intimate partner violence and consumer law such as debt collection and garnishments.

"During the one-year award period, the project attorney will partner with the VA in Tuscaloosa and the Veteran Service Office in Selma to establish routine office hours where veterans can receive services onsite," the press release said.

Veterans interested in learning more may visit legalservicesalabama.org/veterans-services.