Legal Services of the Virgin Islands seeks level funding to sustain civil legal aid amid rising eviction and domestic‑violence work

Legal Services of the Virgin Islands asked the Senate budget committee to sustain the governor’s FY2026 general‑fund recommendation of $2,007,700 so the nonprofit public‑interest law firm can maintain civil legal assistance for low‑income residents across the territory.

Executive Director Shelby King Gaddy told senators the FY2026 request matches the governor’s recommendation and would maintain current service levels. Legal Services is a 501(c)(3) provider of civil legal aid (not a government agency) funded by a mix of territorial appropriation, Legal Services Corporation grants and several federal and private grants. The agency said it received an unqualified audit and continues to pursue outside resources, but it stressed that the territorial appropriation remains the backbone of operations.

Staffing and caseload: Legal Services reported five staff attorneys (four in St. Croix, one in St. Thomas) and described a persistent turnover pressure: attorneys are leaving for higher‑paying government positions. The agency said it has adjusted staffing models—hiring junior attorneys in some slots, combining some senior roles, and moving grant compliance work to a non‑attorney grants compliance manager—to protect attorney time for client work. Legal Services noted a modest year‑to‑year increase in case openings and said 2025 shows an 18% increase in housing cases and an 18% increase in family matters compared with the same period in 2024.

Trends and projects: Litigation director Damien Sanders summarised 2024 case numbers: roughly 1,400 client matters in the year with St. Croix carrying the bulk of cases. Senior or older adults and the 26–45 age groups were the largest client cohorts. Legal Services emphasized eviction prevention work (funded in part by Emergency Rental Assistance Program monies that sunset Sept. 30, 2025) and a Senior Medicare Patrol project that supports seniors in fraud prevention and digital skills. Legal Services also described a transformative pro bono initiative previously funded by Legal Services Corporation, which yielded only a small net increase in volunteer pro bono capacity.

Grants and funding mechanics: The agency described how appropriation checks are delivered and deposited and said it supplements territorial funds with a Legal Services Corporation basic grant (roughly $300k–$380k in recent years) and other federal program awards. Legal Services said some federally funded programs are reimbursement grants that require the organization to spend first and receive reimbursement; administrative staffing shortages during grant periods have in the past made it difficult to draw down full federal award amounts on schedule.

Senators’ questions addressed vendor payables, mortgage notes and facilities work: CFO Kenneth Guy said legacy audit‑period vendor payments were paid and that remaining vendor obligations are modest. Legal Services confirmed it holds USDA‑origin loans on two owned properties and said three notes remain active with final maturities in 2030–2031. FEMA‑funded building repairs for storm damage are in the A&E and scoping phase and are not yet under construction.

Ending: Legal Services emphasized that a level appropriation would maintain services but not expand capacity; leaders asked the Legislature to consider continued territorial support while the nonprofit pursues federal and philanthropic funding to meet growing civil legal needs (eviction, domestic violence, family law, elder and veterans matters).