Community Rallies to Support Conjunto Icon Eva Ybarra Amid Housing Crisis

A fundraiser has been launched to support Tejano and Conjunto legend Eva Ybarra as she faces an urgent housing crisis, prompting an outpouring of support from fans, musicians, and cultural leaders across Texas and beyond.

Organized by filmmaker Laura Varela, the GoFundMe campaign calls on the community to stand behind Ybarra, widely known as the “Queen of the Accordion,” during what organizers describe as a critical moment in her life.

“Eva Ybarra is a living legend, and today we are asking our community to come together for her sake,” Varela shared in the campaign message.

Ybarra is regarded as one of the most important figures in Texas Conjunto music, a tradition rooted in the history, joy, struggle, and resilience of working-class Mexican American communities. For decades, she has helped shape and preserve the Conjunto sound, influencing generations of musicians while representing Texas music on stages across the United States and internationally.

Now, due to new ownership of the home where she has been living, Ybarra is being forced to relocate, placing her in a position of housing insecurity at a time when stability and peace are essential.

“This is not just a housing issue—it is a cultural one,” Varela emphasized in the fundraiser, noting that like many artists—particularly Mexican American women—Ybarra has not always benefited financially from the cultural wealth she helped create.

Throughout her storied career, Ybarra has earned numerous prestigious honors. In 2017, she was named a recipient of the National Endowment for the Humanities Cultural Heritage Award. She has also been recognized as Texas State Musician and named a Taproot Fellow by the Association of California Traditional Arts.

The fundraiser aims to help Ybarra secure stable housing, whether by assisting her in purchasing a modest home or finding a safe, affordable rental. Funds will also go toward covering moving expenses and other housing transition costs to ensure she can continue living with dignity.

Ybarra herself addressed supporters directly on social media, writing, “Friends, we are sharing this fundraiser at a critical time in my life. I am asking for your help to secure stable housing. You can help by donating or sharing this fundraiser. You can also book me for a gig! I thank you for all your love and support through the years.”

Those who would like to contribute or learn more can visit the official GoFundMe page.

For many in the Tejano and Conjunto community, supporting Ybarra is about more than helping an individual artist—it’s about honoring and protecting a cultural treasure whose music has carried the stories of generations.

As the community responds, the hope is that the Queen of the Accordion will soon find the stability she deserves, surrounded by the same love and respect she has given her audience for decades.

Follow Tejano Nation on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with everything Tejano. Listen to new Tejano music first with our Spotify playlists and iHeartRadio podcast.

---

---