1 0 obj Governor Abbott and TDHCA launched the Texas Rent Relief program in February 2021 the first statewide rent and utility assistance program for qualifying households throughout Texas. It hurts, that really hurts. 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). 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 Housing advocates acknowledge the challenges of standing up such a massive program, but Christina Rosales from the group Texas Housers said theres a larger issue at play here: As a state, Texas regularly fails to focus its vast resources on helping people in the midst of a disaster. First-time applicants may be eligible for up to 18 months of aid with rent and utility bills. The Housing Assistance Program (HAP)* provides financial assistance to renters experiencing emergency hardships from COVID-19 and to keep families in their homes. The program has assisted more than 6,000 households in the state thus far. All rights reserved. He took the car, which made it difficult for Scott to hunt for work and shelter. Our Legal Help guide has information on free legal hotlines, legal clinics, and legal aid organizations, as well as information on how to find a lawyer who could represent you. If issues are discovered or brought to our attention, like payments sent to an incorrect address, or payments sent to a landlord who has evicted the tenant, we will take corrective measures, like recapture or other necessary steps.. What is clear is that a lot of Texans could use the help of the Texas Rent Relief program. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST Help is available in multiple languages. 0000008211 00000 n This news article provides an overview of the Texas Public Utilities Commission's recent order and how it will affect customers in Texas. Wilkinson told the House Committee on Urban Affairs that a few hundred more people had had payments sent to them over the past week, and that two additional contractors and hundreds of new analysts were being added to work through the backlog of applications. As of July 26, more than 95,000 households have received assistance from the Texas Rent Relief Program, and almost $600 million in relief has been paid out, according to the TDHCA. On Jan. 27, Williamson County constables came to execute the eviction. The Texas rent relief program has only made three payments despite being online for over . I am being evicted for not paying rent. And more is on the. Many people, especially women, have been unable to work because of child care responsibilities. endobj Since the program launched in February 2021, TRR has provided over $2 billion in emergency funds for rent and utility relief, served 250 Texas counties and prevented evictions for over 21,000 households. If the agency finds the allegations are credible, it can refer the cases to the state auditors office, the Treasurys inspector general or local law enforcement agencies. Do you value our journalism? Falsification of documents or any material falsehoods or omissions in an Application to this program, including knowingly seeking duplicative benefits, is subject to state and federal criminal penalties. Subscribe to recieve Local Profile email updates every Monday and Thursday. Eligibility: For anyone who currently rents in the United States and resides in any of the properties Esusu works with. The program application now allows these applicants to self-attest to their household income, meeting program requirements instead of uploading income documentation. But housing advocates and lawyers who represent tenants facing eviction say they routinely see cases of Texas landlords accepting thousands of dollars from the government and evicting the tenants the money was intended to help. -Per federal guidelines for Emergency Rental Assistance funding, Texas Rent Relief will provide a completed IRS Form 1099-MISC to all landlords and utility providers that received at least $600 in assistance from the program during the 2021 . According to the report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications, just over 1,000 have had their applications approved. 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. Here we are at the beginning of April and still only about 200 Texas families have actually received direct help from this billion dollar program, which is unacceptable, and we need to continue to get this worked out quickly, committee chair state Rep. Philip Cortez, a San Antonio Democrat, told Texas Public Radio. We are learning more about why there are delays in the. The property manager quickly confirmed that they had and Jasso tossed the eviction. Failure to respond would only delay the application process. 0000002471 00000 n 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. <> Lq]0BLaOy\s^ADJ| Calls to Musemeche were not returned. According to a legislative report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications for rental assistance, just over 1,000 have had their applications approved. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) created this COVID-19 relief program in February of 2021. Neighborhood Centers Inc: 713-665-3600. But I dont want to give up.. Two landlords, like Scotts, evicted their tenants in the period between the initial rent relief application and when the government money arrived and then kept it an apparent violation of the programs requirements for landlords. Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter? Applications can be also made . Click here to search the TDHCA database. A free legal hotline available to South Texas residents. But the program had fixed that error, the email said. Payment is in process. Events / Networking Opportunities In those cases, the check was initially sent to the wrong property and only arrived after the tenant was kicked out. from 8 AM - 9 PM ET. 0000058032 00000 n SACRAMENTO - California's COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is reaching a significant milestone today - by the end of the day, more than $1 billion in funding will be obligated - meaning the money has either been paid or approved for payment and awaiting disbursement - and will assist over 74,000 additional households. You can also get financial assistance for rent, food, and other expenses by turning to other organizations. You cant get paid directly, and also break the promises you made that were designed to keep someone in their home.. We have more than $1 million of unpaid rent dating back to March of last year, said Ian Mattingly, president of LumaCorp, which manages about 7,000 rental apartments in Texas. The Texas Rent Relief program was set up to help people pay their bills. Copyright by the Texas State Law Library. 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. The state is using the more than $1 billion in money from the latest federal COVID-19. We cant wait to welcome you in person and online to the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, our multiday celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the days news all taking place just steps away from the Texas Capitol from Sept. 22-24. 8. But Musselman expressed sympathy for the landlord, noting that they had gone 11 months without rent from Gates. You can also call the TDHCA's fraud hotline if you think your landlord may be mishandling the funds: (833) 61-FRAUD or (833) 613-7283. Exactly how many people have fallen behind on rent over the past year is unclear. requested do not exceed the program limit of 15 months. KERA also reached out to Gov. Please take our patron satisfaction survey! Attempts to reach the property owner RDRH Holdings Inc., an Austin-based corporation and its president were unsuccessful. 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. 1. The following provides performance of the Texas Rent Relief Program, as of May 12, 2021: More than $110 million has been paid or is in the process of being paid. Starting October 10, 2022, all new utility assistance payments are issued directly to the tenant to ensure timely and accurate utility assistance payments. After submitting, applicants should watch for communication from TRR in case additional information is needed for application. I trusted them, Scott said. 2401 E 6th Street, Ste 3037, PMB 153, Austin, TX 78702. 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. Payment cannot be released until 90 days after the initial disbursement date; however, be advised that review and approval timelines will often exceed 90 days from the last disbursement. rental assistance programs, totaling $46.55 billion. Theres no excuse, Rosales said. Two months later, Scott received an email acknowledging her complaint but said she hasnt heard back since. 4 0 obj <> endobj xref Mar 1, 2023. events. Its unclear whether landlords face any penalties from state agencies for improperly evicting tenants while receiving rent relief dollars intended to help those tenants stay housed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texas Rent Relief Program will shut down its application portal at 5 p.m. on Friday. ?$.#jq&LS1-b'u)N 2@x{'Y( V7\T ;z6!EDg"AGbDdWo,/si,TZp em;82os"zrD QV~ns+8ce1|NV ;H@>I]\IjA $_BM (2`n,e072 #q9u_)&er&s9%\!_kE\^9, Visit TexasRentRelief.com for more program highlights. We will accept new applications for rent and utility assistance from Tuesday, March 14 at 8 a.m. CT to Tuesday, March 28 at 11:59 p.m. CT. COVID-19 has affected Texans across the state. The Texas Rent Relief Program provides emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). If you need assistance with a previously submitted application, our customer service staff can assist you by phone by calling 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368). The idea of landlords taking rent relief dollars and still evicting tenants is outrageous, she said, and could warrant investigation. It takes away your pride and makes me feel like I failed as a parent. 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. By clicking the plus sign by one of the listed programs, the page will expand and provide the full details of that program. Legislative Updates (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs also offers a website about this program. Texas Rent Relief assistance payments to landlords and utility providers are considered taxable income. All past-due rent and utilities (back to March 13, 2020) will be paid first. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Stephanie Gates rental assistance check initially went to the wrong address and reached her landlord less than two weeks after she was evicted from her Round Rock home in January. Hosted every Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m., by the. Job Listings I can understand an apartment complex coming at this point in the process and saying, It's time to figure out what's going to happen here or move forward, Musselman said. In February, Texas launched a program to help people who had missed rent payments because of the pandemic. These changes go into effect on April 21st, 2021. You will be asked to create an account and then . Landlord associated with the application will receive an email notification of . endobj And were also looking for ways to streamline, reduce documentation burdens, and well continue to adapt as needed, Wilkinson said. Shes impressed by how many do persevere. The same day, her landlord told Johnson her lease wouldnt be renewed when it expired the following week, she said. Its peoples lives at stake here, because when evictions happen, their lives are torn apart. Texas' rent relief program has been plagued by problems that slow payments and could prompt evictions According to a legislative report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications. Landlord Application Information. 0000009428 00000 n 0000002022 00000 n We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine. You will get a 30-minute legal consultation with information, advice, and resources. 4 0 obj The state's $1.9 billion rental assistance program, which launched during the pandemic, has helped more . Weeks after her eviction, Scott received an email from Texas Rent Relief on Nov. 9 acknowledging that it had initially sent the check to the wrong address. Since being evicted from their home in Katy, Cherice Scott and her four children have lived in hotels and other temporary settings, most recently a short-term rental in Missouri City. All TDHCA employees and contractor employees have a responsibility to report waste, fraud and abuse within the agency. On July 28, 2021, the FHFA announced protections for tenants of multifamily properties with loans backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Macrequiring landlords to give tenants 30 days' notice before. Member Newsletters (MEMBERS ONLY) TXHAF is administered by TDHCA with funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. P.O. 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). Avenue 360 (formerly Bearing Omega and Houston Area Community Services) Web. This page has answers to questions about the Texas Rent Relief Program for both landlords and tenants. Texas has nearly $692 million available through its statewide rent relief program. No New Applications Accepted After logging in, click on the application status and check with the details provided. Other organizations That help paying rent in Houston. If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse please call (833) 61-FRAUD or (833) 613-7283. This time period has been shortened based on direction from the Department of Treasury. The statewide TEDP is funded through a set-aside of the Texas Rent Relief Program (texasrentrelief.com), which launched February 15, 2021, stopped accepting new applications for rental assistance as of November 5, 2021, and committed 99% of all total funds by January 13, 2022. Software problems left the program struggling and spotty, with tenants and landlords complaining of accessibility problems, unanswered phone calls and the inability to check the status of an application, according to the report. If a landlord is not paid, the payment will be made directly to the tenant.
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