Federal workers could face eviction risks as paychecks stall nearly a month into shutdown
Nearly a month into the ongoing government shutdown, nearly a million federal employees — including TSA agents and air traffic controllers — are still showing up to work without pay.
Nearly a month into the ongoing government shutdown, nearly a million federal employees — including TSA agents and air traffic controllers — are still showing up to work without pay. For many who live paycheck to paycheck, the strain is growing severe, with rent, mortgage, and other essential bills becoming harder to cover.
As finances dwindle, questions are rising about how quickly an eviction can happen — and what protections, if any, tenants have when circumstances are out of their control.
Evictions can move “very fast,” attorney warns
Attorney Jon-Ross Trevino with Lone Star Legal Aid says tenants can face eviction proceedings in as little as a month after missing rent.
“If individuals don’t make the payments on the first or when they’re due, [a landlord] can file eviction that same month,” Trevino explained. “The timeframe that a person can go from missing one payment to being homeless can be about a month — sometimes less. That judicial process can move very fast.”
He added that even partial payments may not stop an eviction filing.
No minimum for how far behind you can fall
Judge Steve Duble, who oversees eviction cases in Harris County Precinct 1, Place 2, said Texas law gives landlords broad discretion.
“There is no bottom-line limit,” Duble said. “Any lease violation — including a late payment — can be the basis of an eviction. There’s no floor or ceiling to that amount.”
Limited tenant protections in Texas
When it comes to legal protections for renters who can’t pay due to job loss or other hardships, Trevino said options are limited.
“Unfortunately, the rights are very limited,” he said. “There aren’t really explicit rights for individuals at this time to avoid eviction. That’s what’s really problematic.”
Judge Duble added that outside of emergency federal protections — like those issued during the COVID-19 pandemic — Texas law generally holds tenants responsible for lease violations regardless of personal circumstances.
“Somebody losing their job or being in the hospital — those are not legal excuses under Texas law to violate your lease,” he explained.
Communication is key
Both Duble and Trevino emphasized that communication between landlords and tenants is critical during times of financial hardship.
“It’s up to the landlord to be human, to understand what’s going on, and to work with the tenants,” said Trevino. “The Justice of the Peace courts where the evictions happen are courts of equity. So, a court can listen to both sides, but, unfortunately, they’re also bound by what legal ramifications are, what the law is.”
Judge Duble also urged tenants to stay engaged in the process:
“See if you can work out a payment plan or an extension,” he advised. “But if it’s going to court, show up. It’s very important that you show up for court, because you never know what options the judge can give to either party, or what resources may be available.”
Volunteer legal help available
For those already facing eviction, Harris County courts have launched programs that connect tenants with volunteer attorneys to help negotiate agreements between the Landlord and tenant before an eviction permanently appears on their record. The Houston Volunteer Lawyer Program currently also operates in 2 other courts, presiding Judge Victor Treviño III, Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6, Place 1, and Judge Dolores Lozano, Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Place 2. It has successfully helped in 34 Rule 11 settlement agreements, and 2 agreed continuances, standing at around a 70% success rate.
Ongoing eviction diversion efforts include a November 8th resource fair and Know Your Rights Workshop with Judge Steve Duble, Senator Molly Cook, Judge Jermaine Thomas and several community organizations.
