Just as the program launched, the state was hit with the massive winter storm in February, which sidelined a third of the contracted phone operators for days, the report said. Sign up here. Larry Berman New Keynote Speaker For Vietnam War Conference Banquet. 0000002022 00000 n 0000026104 00000 n Those most affected by the pandemic and its economic devastation low-wage workers, Black and Latino Texans, and rural communities are also the least likely to have internet at home. View The Texas Eviction Diversion Program Highlights. Landlords who received rent relief dollars cant evict tenants for any reason related to rent or fees during the time period covered by the funds, according to the program requirements. Applications will be processed in the order received, prioritizing those facing evictions. And if they did, it should be audited and reviewed by [government investigators] so that we can recoup our funds for the misuse of the dollars.. The money was considered crucial to prevent a wave of tenants losing their homes as eviction bans expired; in recent months, three Texas metro areas Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth have seen some of the highest eviction case filings in the country among the 31 cities tracked by Eviction Lab, a research center based at Princeton University that tracks eviction filings. All TDHCA employees and contractor employees have a responsibility to report waste, fraud and abuse within the agency. Then they mailed it to the wrong address twice and they want to evict me. Print Feedback. Members in the News (MEMBERS ONLY) Most went into the statewide Texas Rent Relief program, and the rest when to city and county governments. UPDATE: Accepting New Applications For Limited Time, March 14-28, 2023. Texas Rent Relief Program Provides Over $100 Million in Assistance Texas received more than $2 billion out of the American Rescue Plan Act, the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package President Joe Biden signed into law last year, to set up the Texas Rent Relief program, designed to help such families stay in their homes as the pandemic triggered a tsunami of business closures and hundreds of thousands of layoffs. The program has assisted more than 6,000 households in the state thus far. Her landlord gave her until the end of May to do so. California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Hits - California Governor Please reload the page and try again. No more rent relief available for Texas renters or landlords - KHOU According to the National Housing Law Project, 86% of the 119 lawyers across the country who responded to a survey gauging how the end of a federal moratorium on evictions was affecting tenants said they had seen cases where landlords either declined to apply for assistance from rent relief programs or took the money and proceeded to kick out their tenants. Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program Once the application is submitted, applicants need to remain alert for emails or calls from TDHCAs representatives who could ask for additional information. Of the maximum $65,000 available per household, up to $10,000 can be used for utility assistance (inclusive of past due balance and prospective assistance). The report was released less than a week after the Supreme Court of Texas let lapse a set of rules for how courts in the state enforce a federal eviction ban, which the Biden administration extended through into the summer. Rent - Landlord/Tenant Law - Guides at Texas State Law Library Interests The Texas Rent Relief Program is an opportunity to get up to 12 months of back due rent and even secure up to three months of future rent stability for tenants, as well as utility assistance. About the Texas Rent Relief Program Both landlords and tenants were able to use this website to create an account and submit their application. And a large and growing percentage of that is over a year old at this point.. Regardless of your immigration status, you will be eligible for rent relief if you have been adversely affected by COVID-19 or are . I am being evicted for not paying rent. Events / Networking Opportunities After submitting, applicants should watch for communication from TRR in case additional information is needed for application. The next month, their landlord started the eviction process, even though Scott, 37, had taken the rental office staffs advice and requested help from Texas $2 billion, federally backed rental assistance fund. And frankly, theyre tired.. Eligible households can apply online or over the phone for first-time or additional program assistance. Renter approved for $5,000 in relief. How to apply for rental aid - CNBC 4 45 Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. r.t)gfv9~;Y>)?4{(gbx|/Ipv.8|0a(#0`~GhFc=pxr1{YpG0 <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 12 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 792 612] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Tenant Protections Under the Texas Emergency Order Regarding the Texas But Johnsons victory was short-lived. Interests Even if the rent relief check was in hand, it wouldnt have covered the amount sought by the landlord, Musselman said. I did everything right, and to still have my stuff thrown down the street its just something that Im still trying to process, Gates said. Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Northwest Assistance Ministries: 281-583-5600. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Johnsons lawyer recorded the call. Failure to respond will delay application review and timeline for approved payments. In late March she started a new job teaching at an early learning center. Click Here For Information about Accepting Payments. I trusted them, Scott said. First-time applicants may be eligible for up to 18 months of aid with rent and utility bills. 0000014023 00000 n 0000006939 00000 n 2 0 obj Around that time, Johnson said she caught COVID-19 and had to miss a month of work. Jeff Williams, a Harris County justice of the peace, had approved the eviction without Scott present in court a typical outcome in eviction cases when tenants dont show up to their hearings. While many have gone back to work, the unemployment rate remains significantly higher than it was before the pandemic. Sign up for our Friends of TAAHP email list to learn more about TAAHP, critical industry issues, and hear about upcoming event and education opportunities. The details for each program are available below. The industry standard here is fraud, said Stuart Campbell, managing attorney at Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, speaking generally about instances in which landlords receive rent relief funds and evict tenants. Scott said she spoke to the office staff and walked away believing she didnt need to worry about eviction as they waited for the relief money or to bother showing up to court. It got off to a rocky start when it signed up just a few hundred people in the first few months. The program was originally launched in February 2021 and is administered by the . New applications are not being accepted. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has received approximately $1.3 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the newly passed Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program. your Phone number -Specify Landlord or tenant rental assistance. Lee Reznicek, a property manager who oversees Gates former home for Austin-based Hill Country Property Management, declined to comment when reached by email. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is committed to expanding fair housing choice and opportunities for Texans through the administration and funding of affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, weatherization, and community-based services with the help of for-profits, nonprofits, and local governments. Our constituents experienced significant unreliability during an already challenging set of circumstances, all the while, both renters and landlords alike had unclear direction from TDHCA for weeks or months if and when the approved funds would finally arrive, the lawmakers wrote. The program application now allows these applicants to self-attest to their household income, meeting program requirements instead of uploading income documentation. Shes impressed by how many do persevere. As much as we work to mitigate human error, the potential for application errors exists. Guides: COVID-19 & Texas Law: Rent & Legal Assistance The same day, her landlord told Johnson her lease wouldnt be renewed when it expired the following week, she said. You cant have it both ways with Texas Rent Relief, Stamm said. Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) 8. TDHCA has provided the following updates regarding the program: ADDITIONAL FUNDING REQUESTS (AFR) INFORMATION. Mailbag: Evermore. Even now, despite our challenges, were ahead of most states in processing applications and making payments, Wilkinson testified, comparing Texas to other large states like California and Florida. 2023 Local Profile is a registered trademark of Community Profile LLC. If you need help paying rent in Katy, or other financial assistance, reach out to Katy Christian Ministries for more information on their programs. Texas Rent Relief : r/texas - reddit Returning applicants who have not received the maximum allowed 18 months of assistance for rent and/or utility bills can submit an Additional Funding Request via their existing online user account. How are landlords going to have faith in a rental relief program, and how are they going to hang on their tenants when this is happening? Rosales said. Texas has only made 3 rent relief payments Additional Funding for Texas Rent Relief KPRC 2 Investigates Texas Rent Relief program: Why some renters have But she still hasnt found a place to live. 0000010218 00000 n The idea of landlords taking rent relief dollars and still evicting tenants is outrageous, she said, and could warrant investigation. PDF Application Response Times For Initial Funding Requests - Texas Rent Relief The state received another $47 million in March, which TDHCA said would go toward helping tenants who applied before the November cutoff. Those facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to their eviction hearing, and stay in communication with their landlord and the court. Please take our patron satisfaction survey! GTranslate - Rent Relief Resources | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of KERA also reached out to Gov. 3/11/2021 Funding Update: $918,238,535 available Despite that, the property manager told Musselman they wanted to proceed with the case, Gates said. The Texas Rent Relief Program, a COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), will be receiving an additional $47.8 million to help address the backlog of assistance requests. Applicants that have received help from the program before but have not received the maximum of 18 months of assistance allowed, can submit an additional funding request using their existing online user account. Is there any communication that were making, saying we messed up, give us a minute and give them a minute so that we can get them the relief that they need, and everyone will be made whole in a few weeks? Bernal asked. 0000008211 00000 n Tenants who are unable to access their existing online application may call the call center for assistance, and documentation related to existing applications may be accepted by postal mail at the following address. Eligible households can apply for assistance online at TexasRentRelief.com or over the phone by calling the TRR call center at 833-9TX-RENT (833-989-7368). As of today, the program has distributed nearly $2 billion, with more than 300,000 Texan households having been assisted or in the final payment process. 0000001196 00000 n Applied for Rent Relief? What Happens Now At the moment, Gates is bouncing back and forth between her fathers house and a friends while she appeals her eviction in an attempt to strike it from her record and make it easier for her to find a new place. For example, the program bars landlords from accepting rent relief payments after they evict a tenant. Do you value our journalism? In late January 2023, Local Profile reported that starting this March, the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to cut SNAPs COVID-19 emergency benefits, adding even more pressure on families who are struggling with rising rents and inflation pushing up prices. by Christopher Connelly, KERA News We believe owners have done their best to try to understand the intricacies of the program and comply with its requirements, Mintz said. The department . But the tenants are still the ones holding the bag.. Updated information and a lease for the new unit will be required in the AFR application. Neighborhood Centers Inc: 713-665-3600. Payment in Progress If your request has been approved Tenant and landlord, if participating, will receive email notifying of approval and, separately, to set up payment in Bill.com. But in September, Gates received good news: Not only did she qualify for help paying back rent, but the program would cover her rent through November 11 months all together, totaling $12,740. 0000003417 00000 n All Rights Reserved.. Plano Dentist Pleaded Guilty To COVID-19-Related Fraud, $22.8 Million Grant To Help Prevent Homelessness In Dallas And Collin Counties, North Texas Judge Blocks Student Loan Forgiveness, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. They told her there was no way to see if they had received it, she said. And more is on the. To qualify for rental assistance from the Texas program, tenants had to fall below a certain income level, prove they experienced some kind of financial hardship during the pandemic and make the case that they would be at risk of losing their home if they didnt receive rent relief. Ask us! At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. The Housing Assistance Program (HAP)* provides financial assistance to renters experiencing emergency hardships from COVID-19 and to keep families in their homes. TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. According to CW33, TDHCA executive director, Bobby Wilkinson advised those applying to gather all necessary paperwork ahead of time to have them ready by March 14, 2023, when applications will open. Even if the programs software and staffing struggles have been addressed, Rosales still worries that the programs reliance on online applications will leave eligible renters unable to apply. Shes focused on finding a new place for her and her seven children to live. According to the TRR portal, the program provided over $2 billion in emergency funds since its launch, helping more than 310,000 Texas families remain stably housed during the pandemic. Its unclear whether landlords face any penalties from state agencies for improperly evicting tenants while receiving rent relief dollars intended to help those tenants stay housed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 0000048118 00000 n :>W:lfD;)SHK(r$Iy2lj\*vj-Wf8+GfJs &Xsua9fqsJYKk~(FbD*fwG[VEiG]e29^Qv($6,9arts1y$ GS?u(-4Wc-J(,_@&U That happens even when tenants win their eviction cases in court. The rent relief checks cleared RDRHs bank account on Feb. 4 less than two weeks after Gates was evicted. But those are the exact grounds that RDRH Holdings cited when it sued to evict Gates, Stamm said. TXHAF provides eligible homeowners with . Housing Assistance Program - San Antonio The fund is designed to provide rent relief for renters experiencing financial hardship. Things To Do Scott and her husband had fallen behind on rent in June after Scott stopped working to take care of her youngest daughter, who has Down syndrome, and the medical bills piled up. Recent updates February 2023. the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in Texas. Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program Low Income Family "I urge qualifying households to apply for this program once applications open on February 15th. endobj According to the program rules laid out in the agreement Gates landlord signed July 13 to receive the funds, if a landlord receives rent relief money after evicting the tenant, theyre supposed to send the money back to TDHCA within 10 days. This time period has been shortened based on direction from the Department of Treasury. Approvals have. They lose their jobs, they lose their health, they have trouble with their relationships, they have trouble getting back on their feet, said Christina Rosales, deputy director for the advocacy group Texas Housers. But the program had fixed that error, the email said. Advocacy Alerts On Jan. 27, Williamson County constables came to execute the eviction. TRR is processing applications . Johnsons landlord a partnership owned by Mark Musemeche, a Houston developer had already accepted more than $4,200 in federal money in August to pay four months of rent, according to a copy of Johnsons rent ledger she provided to the Tribune. <>/Metadata 393 0 R/ViewerPreferences 394 0 R>> P.O. Eviction - COVID-19 & Texas Law - Guides at Texas State Law Library Texas rent relief program slow to make payments and - The Texas Tribune A Texas rent relief program has been plagued by problems. Founded in 1997, the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP) is a non-profit trade association serving as the primary advocate and leading resource for the affordable housing industry in Texas. Access Invoices & ReceiptsRequest W9Questions & Special Requests, Update Your ProfileRequest Company Name ChangeAdding/Removing EmployeesFrequently Asked QuestionsContact Us, Mailing Address2401 E 6th St, Ste 3037, PMB 153Austin, TX 78702Email UsPhone: 512-476-9901, Aug 20, 2021 | COVID19, Latest News, Newsletter. Thieves had walked off with their electronics. Applicant will receive an email notification of approval. This guide is updated to reflect information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. Less than two weeks after Gates eviction, she spotted something in her online account with the rent relief program: A pair of checks totaling $12,650 had cleared the property owners bank account. The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, passed in December 2020, included $25 billion in urgently needed emergency rental assistance (ERA1) for tenants with low incomes and established the Emergency Rental Assistance program (ERA) administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury). Show us with your support. Texas Rent Relief Program: Tax Forms and Other Updates - TAAHP Two months later, Scott received an email acknowledging her complaint but said she hasnt heard back since. Alexander Stamm, an attorney with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid who is representing Gates, said Musselman shouldnt have let the trial take place at all because of a Texas Supreme Court order requiring judges to postpone eviction cases if a landlord confirms they have joined a tenants application for rent relief. No New Applications Accepted The public is also invited to share such concerns. T!KE) A8(x;)-GlrHqZ:%>)c#x/MoJ5K=Tj=M,dIj)h MQ7ey#5xp uwA4@!5GM3e mXI#JR!g.H?##B-|qz^^(p7r`>G>M'PF4LLLu*n_"!/N`nxxbQ9CkK4eSB[Rl7x,E $R6W9203#g~=jxPcIyH.MSLhuY9K^cPM|>Q|hfb#PxFAcL,/>~5W(oqXiU&u trailer <]/Prev 155979>> startxref 0 %%EOF 48 0 obj <>stream Now, with a remaining $96 million in rent relief funds, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) re-opened the Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) and online applications through the portal will be accepted for a limited time from March 14 to 28. What is clear is that a lot of Texans could use the help of the Texas Rent Relief program. Failure to respond would only delay the application process. The TRR application portal goes live Tuesday, March 14 at 8 a.m. and ends Tuesday, March 28 at 11:59 p.m. to help eligible households with rent and utility payments. They can visit https://texaslawhelp.org/eviction-referral or call 855-270-7655 for help understanding their options and to seek free or low-cost legal assistance. 2401 E 6th Street, Ste 3037, PMB 153, Austin, TX 78702. KPRC 2 investigates complaints against Texas' Rent Relief program PDF ERA Program and Overall Ranking - Texas Housers Subscribe to recieve Local Profile email updates every Monday and Thursday. The reallocation process only applies to duplicate payments between our program and Texas Rent Relief. If a landlord is not paid, the payment will be made directly to the tenant. But she said the program doesnt allow landlords to receive back rent if theyve evicted a tenant the opposite of what the email to Scott said. It's embarrassing, Scott said. I dont know if its greatbut youre supposed to be able to use it on your mobile device.. And were also looking for ways to streamline, reduce documentation burdens, and well continue to adapt as needed, Wilkinson said. TAAHP does not have regulatory or compliance authority for any affordable housing communities or developments. Those constituents were told they were unable to receive their eligible assistance while the agency recouped the funds, the lawmakers wrote Thursday to TDHCA board Chair Leo Vasquez. If you live in Texas no matter if you are landlord or tenants this program will help you, the simplest way is to apply for Texas Emergency rent assistance for covid 19, Visit the website, Create a account, and apply online. "To date, Texas Rent Relief has served . They were very well informed that that money was there and it was coming to them, said Scott, whos now living in a short-term rental in Missouri City with her four kids. We've provided over $2B in emergency funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). Hosted every Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m., by the. We are learning more about why there are delays in the. requested do not exceed the program limit of 15 months. During the hearing, lawmakers pressed Wilkinson on a number of issues. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. Info about the decision to end the program and eviction diversion is included as well. The property manager quickly confirmed that they had and Jasso tossed the eviction. *Must make an appointment. Katy Texas Rent Assistance: Nonprofits To Help With Rent Payments In a phone interview, Musselman declined to say why he ruled in favor of Gates landlord. A free legal hotline available to South Texas residents. pk}b=^ ;+2b4+rU:"KOJF&. Mattingly also heads the Dallas Apartment Association, which represents landlords. You can even upload documents for an attorney to review. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) created the Texas Rent Relief program to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). Texas Homeowner Assistance Official Website Also, the application status in the Neighborly system will be updated when the payment has been made. Apr 20, 2021 Like Dislike Share Save Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs 2.97K subscribers The Texas Rent Relief program can provide utility and rental assistance to. 4 0 obj Applications can be also made . But The Texas Tribune interviewed tenants from across the state who were approved for federal rental assistance and were evicted anyway. Nov. 9, 2021 - (Tarrant County) - As of Friday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m., the Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR), the State of Texas' rental assistance program, stopped accepting applications. Starting October 10, 2022, all new utility assistance payments are issued directly to the tenant to ensure timely and accurate utility assistance payments. The Apartment Association of Greater Dallas has compiled a list of state and local rental assistance programs. The state of Texas has more than one billion dollars to give out to people who need help paying their bills. TDHCA says it has received more than 7,500 complaints through the hotline not all of them related to fraud, waste or abuse but the agency wont say how many times it has referred cases to outside agencies for investigation. Texas' rental assistance program will soon run out of money As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Texas Rent Relief Program has $96M remaining to help Texans affected by the pandemic. By the end of March, only 250 people had actually got help paying for rent out of. Late fees over 12% of your monthly rent (10% for properties with more than four units) are unreasonable. For households who applied directly for unpaid or future rent or utilities. Some areas still ban evictions outright. One landlord received federal money through the Texas Rent Relief program and later chose not to renew their tenants lease which was legal in that case. Read on for a look at these new changes, and visit our Rent and Legal Assistance page on the COVID-19 & Texas Law guide for more information. Depending on eligibility and needs, this could include past-due payments or a combination of past-due and up to three months of current and future payments. Copyright by the Texas State Law Library. Find the program in your area by state , territory, or tribe and apply for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA). It hurts, that really hurts. In February, Texas launched a program to help people who had missed rent payments because of the pandemic. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. To apply for residency, you may contact the onsite leasing staff for the development you wish to apply for or contact your local housing authority for assistance. Many landlords have tried to work with their tenants to try to avoid evictions for back rent during the pandemic, said David Mintz, vice president of government affairs for Texas Apartment Association, a trade group of rental property owners. Tenants who are requesting AFR and have remained in the same unit as their original request and for whom the months of assistance requested as part of the AFR are outside of the term for the lease submitted with the tenants initial application (including if the lease is now month-to-month), or if the tenant did not provide a lease as part of their initial application, verbal confirmation with the tenant or landlord to confirm the tenant is still in the unit is acceptable proof of tenancy. Applicants must still provide all other required program documentation and must provide evidence of the notice of utility disconnection.