Legal Aid of NC launches mobile unit to bring services to underserved communities

Legal Aid of North Carolina has launched a mobile unit to bridge a gap in legal services for underserved communities across the state.

The initiative will bring the nonprofit's full range of services to disaster-stricken and rural areas. The organization handles civil matters, including landlord tenant issues and government benefit applications.

According to the nonprofit, around 18% of the state's population is eligible for its services, but many face geographical barriers in accessing them.

Disaster Relief Project Director Alicia Edwards says the mobile unit can help eliminate those obstacles.

"This unit will allow us to drive where they are to meet them where they are, so that that is one less thing they need to worry about. How to find us, how to get legal assistance, how to do any of those things they need to do after a disaster," she says.

Edwards says the nonprofit will use research and work with community partners to identify the areas most in need.