Some households will still qualify for the program while others will not. As much as we work to mitigate human error, the potential for application errors exists. If you are concerned that a community is not in compliance, please contact the TDHCA at 512-475-3800. Since the program launched in February 2021, TRR has provided over $2 billion in emergency funds for rent and utility relief, served 250 Texas counties and prevented evictions for over 21,000 households. I"OqC)RrQBY( ,VN?4Tmj|e@O)&$O&WrVRKT0X5Vrs'O. {wKPK?c- C <=fL5h|'(d-$7(r ~9 qFP9v8i-LKp Nx@`{>-aB58c$f_Q. Body: Case ID. To help with emergency housing needs, HAP has two components: rental assistance and relocation assistance for qualified households facing housing instability. Updated: 8 AM Central. 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. "To date, Texas Rent Relief has served . Disclosure: The Texas Apartment Association has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. 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. 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. 5309 Decker Dr. 281.424.5752. 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. 0000032455 00000 n "The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant financial strain on many Texans, and the Texas Rent Relief Program will provide an incredible lifeline to households in need of assistance on their rent and utility payments," said Governor Abbott. In March 2022, Texas Rent Relief received additional funding to the tune of $47.8 million from the U.S. Treasury Department. Exactly how many people have fallen behind on rent over the past year is unclear. 0000032141 00000 n Houston, TX 77258. But Musselman expressed sympathy for the landlord, noting that they had gone 11 months without rent from Gates. The program has emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). Tenant applicants who have received a notice of utility disconnection are now prioritized for application review similarly to those applicants being sued for eviction. 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. Our vision is to inspire and engage our members and stakeholders to end the affordable housing crisis in Texas. 0000058032 00000 n Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day's latest updates. 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. 0000023877 00000 n 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. Home ownership Weve had to handhold our residents through these various processes, obtaining the correct documentation, helping them with scanning, Mattingly was told by one landlord. 0000010218 00000 n This page has answers to questions about the Texas Rent Relief Program for both landlords and tenants. The State Auditors Office declined to say whether it has launched any investigations into potential fraud, waste and abuse of the program. 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. It is kind of a miracle that they are able to do it.. by Joshua Fechter That makes removing barriers to helping families catch up on the rent even more vital, Rosales said. Landlords and tenants are particularly put on notice that 18 U.S.C. Executive director Bobby Wilkinson said the early days of the program delivered a bad customer experience for people, but that the issues are being fixed. Any allegations that either a renter or a rental property owner isnt following the program rules should be reported to the program to be investigated, he said. 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. The ERA program makes funding available to states, U.S. territories, local governments, and tribes to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utilities. Assistance continues to grow with an average of $6 million approved per day in the last week, with marked increases seen weekly. We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine. Her landlord gave her until the end of May to do so. The application software issue has been resolved. Payment is in process. The TRR program will be accepting online applications from March 14 to 28, providing aid with rent and utility bills for up to 18 months for first-time applicants. Diana Johnson, 35, was waiting on rent relief in January when her landlord tried to evict her and her seven children from their three-bedroom apartment in Southeast Dallas. Landlord Application Information. The Texas rent relief program has only made three payments despite being online for over . TDHCA operates the state hotline where complaints originate. 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. All applications will be processed in the order they are received, giving priority to those households facing evictions. But none of the agencies contacted by the Tribune would say whether any landlord has been credibly accused of taking rent relief money and improperly ousting their tenants, or whether they have imposed penalties on landlords for doing so. I am amazed at the strength and resilience that these folks have to figure out how to get on the internet, when they dont have internet at home, and their resourcefulness in getting rent relief at this point, she said. Texas has nearly $692 million available through its statewide rent relief program. All TDHCA employees and contractor employees have a responsibility to report waste, fraud and abuse within the agency. Its peoples lives at stake here, because when evictions happen, their lives are torn apart. Many people, especially women, have been unable to work because of child care responsibilities. pk}b=^ ;+2b4+rU:"KOJF&. My landlord has signed up with bill.com to receive payment via ACH, so hopefully, he will receive payment sooner than later. And only 250 of payments have been sent. 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. Info about the decision to end the program and eviction diversion is included as well. Feb 27, 2023. Some areas still ban evictions outright. For others, health issues made going to work unsafe while the pandemic raged out of control. The Texas Rent Relief Program was launched by TDHCA on February 15th to solve this problem and bring relief to millions across the United States. 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. 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). 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.. The Apartment Association of Greater Dallas has compiled a list of state and local rental assistance programs. Applications in this set-aside will be processed first to decrease application processing time and increase the likelihood of evictions being diverted. And more is on the. 0000098050 00000 n 0000088072 00000 n Applications to the relief program can be submitted beginning March 14. 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. Were adding added significant resources to attack the backlog and get the money out the door. But none of that recovered money is helping tenants ousted from their homes, said Julia Ordua, Southeast Texas regional director for Texas Housers, a nonprofit low-income housing advocacy group. Things To Do 0000002471 00000 n your Phone number -Specify Landlord or tenant rental assistance. Other program limitations may also apply please see https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/covid19-response.htm for details. Most went into the statewide Texas Rent Relief program, and the rest when to city and county governments. Learn how Section 8 provides rental help Find housing services and information Texans can get housing assistance whether they live in rural or urban areas. Around that time, Johnson said she caught COVID-19 and had to miss a month of work. The department . The landlord applies for rent relief, or 2. *Must make an appointment. Members in the News (MEMBERS ONLY) Both the federal and state government added enforcement provisions when they created the rent relief programs. Attempts to reach the property owner RDRH Holdings Inc., an Austin-based corporation and its president were unsuccessful. ?$.#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, Home TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. These funds may be disbursed to either tenants or landlords. I think any landlord that accepted money or got money directly for rent absolutely should not have evicted anyone, Garcia said. Expected time in this status: less than one week. 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. If a landlord is not paid, the payment will be made directly to the tenant. Recent updates February 2023. Are you looking for rent assistance resources, help with utility bills or reduced rent apartments? When asked if he had a set targets for performance going forward, he said I can and I will, but that he wanted to for a couple weeks before committing to specific goals. 0000026104 00000 n Federal aid has gotten to only a fraction of Texans applying for assistance because they're behind on rent and trying to avoid being evicted. Despite that, the property manager told Musselman they wanted to proceed with the case, Gates said. Mon: 8 to 5pm. What do I do? The TRR portal will accept new applications starting Tuesday, March 14 at 8 a.m. CT through Tuesday, March 28 at 11:59 p.m. CT, to help eligible households with rent and utility payments. Check status periodically. For the past year, housing advocates have been pointing to the slow-rolling housing crisis brought on by the pandemic. Im sitting thinking, My rents paid, OK, all I have to worry about is December and January, Gates said. Tenants who are eligible for an Additional Funding Request may submit requests for rental and utility assistance for the current month and two future months. Northwest Assistance Ministries: 281-583-5600. It turns out the state program had sent the check in September to the wrong address. Shes focused on finding a new place for her and her seven children to live. Her former landlord had taken the rent relief funds after they evicted her. 0000003417 00000 n 0000047797 00000 n Avenue 360 (formerly Bearing Omega and Houston Area Community Services) Web. 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. 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. The Housing Assistance Program (HAP)* provides financial assistance to renters experiencing emergency hardships from COVID-19 and to keep families in their homes. 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. 8. 0000001196 00000 n A free legal hotline available to South Texas residents. 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. I hope everyone gets the assistance that they need. Lifestyle In February, Texas launched a program to help people who had missed rent payments because of the pandemic. Texas Housing Conference Applications can be also made . The more I sit here and think about it, I just know to just go ahead and do what I need to do, Johnson said. In a phone interview, Musselman declined to say why he ruled in favor of Gates landlord. Community In her case, the check arrived in time but went to the wrong place. A switch to a new software caused system outages and forced applicants to reapply. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has made some changes to the Texas Rent Relief Program in order to make the application and payout process easier. 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. Around the time of the eviction, Scott and her husband separated. Job Listings The property manager quickly confirmed that they had and Jasso tossed the eviction. The application process is managed through a software application called Neighborly. 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). On Wednesday, the head of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs took questions from lawmakers about the troubled rollout of the program. Latest r.t)gfv9~;Y>)?4{(gbx|/Ipv.8|0a(#0`~GhFc=pxr1{YpG0 1. 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. Since February the state of Texas has paid landlords more than one billion dollars for tenants who can't afford to pay rent. The same day, her landlord told Johnson her lease wouldnt be renewed when it expired the following week, she said. All past-due rent and utilities (back to March 13, 2020) will be paid first. 0000078000 00000 n Payment in Process Good news! About the Texas Rent Relief Program Both landlords and tenants were able to use this website to create an account and submit their application. Eligible households can apply online or over the phone for first-time or additional program assistance. 0000025788 00000 n This time period has been shortened based on direction from the Department of Treasury. Visit the TDHCA contact us page for information. Applications will be processed in the order received, prioritizing those facing evictions. TXHAF is administered by TDHCA with funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. 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 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. Find programs to help you with rent or utility payments, help you find a rent-reduced apartment, help you find emergency housing or homeless shelters, and more. <>/Metadata 393 0 R/ViewerPreferences 394 0 R>> 0000001467 00000 n 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. The TDHCA runs the Texas Rent Relief program. Texas Tech To Host Art Gallery. As of Wednesday, the program has assisted more than 300,000 households. I dont know if its greatbut youre supposed to be able to use it on your mobile device.. Utilities, Clothing for Children, Employment assistance services. On Jan. 27, Williamson County constables came to execute the eviction. Eviction Intervention Program For Renters If you live within Harris County or Houston city limits and your landlord has already taken you to court for eviction, you may be eligible for eviction intervention rental assistance through the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Lq]0BLaOy\s^ADJ| 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.