The need for legal services
Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) provides services that meet the basic needs of low-income residents of East and Northeast King County by providing access to justice.
Washington State Civil Legal Needs Study
In 2003, this study found that 87% of Washington’s low income residents experience at least one serious civil legal problem each year—approximately one million legal issues annually. Of these, only 12% receive some kind of legal assistance. The study also found that the need for civil legal help for low income families is often three times that of other residents. Those legal needs more often are for basic needs such as housing, safety (including domestic violence) and employment, than those of other residents.
Solving legal issues early, often lessens the burden on other social services. For example, keeping a tenant from an unfair eviction can prevent homelessness. The majority of low income families, (79%) with a legal issue, do not seek assistance; often unaware that there may be laws to protect them or that they could obtain help. (2003 Washington State Civil Legal Needs Study)
Approximately 22% of workers living in King County do not earn a livable wage for themselves or their families. In East King County, 10.9% lived in households without a living wage income.
Further, one-fourth of all low-income wage earners are immigrants or refugees. Between 1990 and 2000 the rate of growth in King County of the foreign born population was 90.8%. For native born it was 7.5%. (2000 US Census Report).
Additionally, it is predicted that the county population over 60 will increase by 39% by the year 2015. It is well known that after retirement, income typically declines because of fixed income levels and increases in cost of living.
In 2006, 48.5% of all assaults reported in the State of Washington were the result of domestic violence.
The primary cause of homelessness in East King County is domestic violence—24%. (United Way Community Assessment, 2007)
Agencies like ELAP provide low income residents with the ability to access legal assistance and the likelihood of more equitable outcomes in their cases. Statistics obtained by the annual evaluation forms completed by ELAP clients also tell us that having services available to them makes an enormous difference in their lives and the lives of their families.
For example, through our Domestic Violence Legal Project (DVLP), clients who were represented by ELAP attorneys (both staff and volunteers) had successful results in their domestic violence cases. They were able to obtain financial stability and safety for themselves and their children through the legal work provided.
The Washington State Civil Legal Needs Study
This study found, not surprisingly, that those clients who received some type of legal aid experienced better outcomes and had more respect for the justice system, than those who did not receive aid. Given the 2000 census statistics, 2007 United Way findings of homelessness increasing in King County, and the fact that East King County is the fastest growing sub-region in the county, it is clear that civil legal services will continue to be in great need through this decade. It is also clear from the studies cited that the civil legal aid that has been provided by ELAP over the past 19 years has helped to assure the safety, welfare and housing needs of many East and Northeast King County Residents, thus contributing significantly to the welfare of all of the residents in the cities of East and Northeast King County and throughout King County for survivors of domestic violence.