TAAHP does not facilitate applications for affordable housing. The State Auditors Office declined to say whether it has launched any investigations into potential fraud, waste and abuse of the program. Calls to Musemeche were not returned. Cherice Scotts son, 6-year-old Teegan McKinney, plays at a park in Houston. 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. It's embarrassing, Scott said. pk}b=^ ;+2b4+rU:"KOJF&. Please take our patron satisfaction survey! 0000020271 00000 n Sign up here. The program will also have a call . *Must make an appointment. 2n -.-&) 1 1 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. Housing Assistance Program - San Antonio 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 CDC moratorium on evictions is over: what Texas renters need to 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. The Texas Rent Relief Program will shut down its application portal at 5 p.m. on Friday. As of July 26, more than 95,000 households have received assistance from the Texas Rent Relief Program, and almost $600 million in relief has been paid out, according to the TDHCA. Applicant will receive an email notification of approval. You can find the names and phone numbers of these organizations below. Falsification of documents or any material falsehoods or omissions in an Application to this program, including knowingly seeking duplicative benefits, is subject to state and federal criminal penalties. Here we are at the beginning of April and still only about 200 Texas families have actually received direct help from this billion dollar program, which is unacceptable, and we need to continue to get this worked out quickly, committee chair state Rep. Philip Cortez, a San Antonio Democrat, told Texas Public Radio. Call to schedule an appointment with a legal representative. 8. Events / Networking Opportunities As of Feb. 17, Gates former landlord hadnt done so, Stamm said. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. During the hearing, lawmakers pressed Wilkinson on a number of issues. KPRC 2 Investigates Texas Rent Relief program: Why some renters have 1. We strive to always do better, Tirloni said in an email. This guide is updated to reflect information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. Texas Rent Relief Program My landlord has signed up with bill.com to receive payment via ACH, so hopefully, he will receive payment sooner than later. Weve been expecting there to be aid [for renters] for months and months so there should have been a plan in place.. Things To Do 2401 E 6th Street, Ste 3037, PMB 153, Austin, TX 78702. 30j($>H&L&Q.]Ky,YIR _I@*v+ Report Details How Texas Rent Relief Program Has Been Plagued By Find a complete list of them here. Texas Rent Relief Program Landlord Tips - YouTube 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. 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. 4 45 Researchers have offered estimates of past-due rent in the U.S. ranging from $8.4 billion to $52.6 billion. 0000002829 00000 n Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program Texas Rent Relief Program Provides Over $100 Million in Assistance Your rent and/or utility relief payments will be made directly to your landlord and utility companies. Mar 1, 2023. events. 0000098050 00000 n Health 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. Newly homeless, Gates stood on the curb in the cold guarding her belongings until a friend could get off work to help her move them. 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. Texas Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Then you can type what your issue or concern. All Rights Reserved. ) Prior to any payment being made to a tenant directly, TRR will make three attempts to request that the landlord participates in the program via email, phone, or text, over no less than a 5 calendar-day period. 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. The program has emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). You can login to the site as a landlord or as a tenant. Of the roughly 200 that have completed applications, only two have been approved for funding. Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program TAAHP does not have regulatory or compliance authority for any affordable housing communities or developments. 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. Scott had landed a new job as a dietician at a local hospital when she returned from work one afternoon in early October to find most of her belongings spread out on the lawn and the locks changed. The Texas Rent Relief (TRR) program provides Texas tenants with financial help with rent and utility bills. 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). 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. 0000008211 00000 n When the state sent the rent relief check to the wrong address, Scott said the staff assured her they were working to get the money re-sent. Texas Rent Relief Home Page | Texas Rent Relief 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). Stamm alleges that RDRH Holdings violated six requirements set out by the program in a contract landlords must sign in order to receive funds. 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. Subscribe to recieve Local Profile email updates every Monday and Thursday. 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. In February, Texas launched a program to help people who had missed rent payments because of the pandemic. 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. Texans shouldnt have to overcome so many bureaucratic and technological challenges just to get help that Congress already funded, Rosales said. Payment in Process Good news! 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. HWmo6_qf&..WVmFJ=GRIOtK^Sq|}"SiSm%S@xS|,NXAC,g uW,,myVH!eMJA^Te**gNx7{uFw vW\uMru JWMu;C,^NJvgVt>(,Y*-.=-zq5t:ATi:w#GG7/V=ohM{3wi5omHo;lpFEMBL%%-P|=fsWv@>f;&X6gji#~L8Uhg JVt`E\L+@j8J:,acf)#--iU)'bc/s/PK3d JC#p0;~mY>VORqiK:JOFrPTgfF:*c! 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. Its peoples lives at stake here, because when evictions happen, their lives are torn apart. State of Texas | Statewide Search | Report Fraud in Texas | Texas Statutes, Site Map | Library Policies | Accessibility | Employment Opportunities, 205 West 14th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-1614. How are we doing? r.t)gfv9~;Y>)?4{(gbx|/Ipv.8|0a(#0`~GhFc=pxr1{YpG0 And a large and growing percentage of that is over a year old at this point.. Click here to search the TDHCA database. Tenant Protections Under the Texas Emergency Order Regarding the Texas Texas Rent Relief Program Re-Opens Applications for Limited Time, March If you need help paying rent in Katy, or other financial assistance, reach out to Katy Christian Ministries for more information on their programs. from 8 AM - 9 PM ET. Texas rent relief application under review - This is what to do An employee at the apartment complex, Crestshire Village Apartments, declined to comment. Copyright by the Texas State Law Library. Eligibility For tenants: Household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) Household has been financially affected by COVID-19 pandemic For landlords: Assistance for rent no older than April 2020 The fund is designed to provide rent relief for renters experiencing financial hardship. 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. But The Texas Tribune interviewed tenants from across the state who were approved for federal rental assistance and were evicted anyway. 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. 0000088009 00000 n 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. In June, Gates said she lost her job after she missed a week of work because of a medical problem. The same day, her landlord told Johnson her lease wouldnt be renewed when it expired the following week, she said. Applied for Rent Relief? What Happens Now 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. New applications are not being accepted. 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. She said she has spent thousands of dollars on application fees to at least 10 homes and apartment complexes and all of them have denied her because she now has an eviction on her record. Advocacy Alerts A group of Austin-area lawmakers state Reps. Celia Israel, Sheryl Cole, Vikki Goodwin, Gina Hinojosa, Donna Howard and Eddie Rodriguez alerted TDHCA this week that they have seen alarming calls from constituents whose rent relief money went to the wrong address, and called on the agency to fix the problem. <>/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>> Some areas still ban evictions outright. Rental assistance payments will generally be made directly to landlords participating in the program, unless they cannot be reached, their relationship with the tenant application cannot be established in a timely manner, or they do not agree to accept the payment. requested do not exceed the program limit of 15 months. Education / Webinars 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. Texas Rent Relief assistance payments to landlords and utility providers are considered taxable income. Shes focused on finding a new place for her and her seven children to live. %PDF-1.7 % Texas Rent Relief Program: Landlord Duties | Texas Law Help It hurts, that really hurts. 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. Governor Abbott, TDHCA Commit 95% Of Total Funds From Texas Rent Relief That happens even when tenants win their eviction cases in court. <> As much as we work to mitigate human error, the potential for application errors exists. Texas has nearly $692 million available through its statewide rent relief program. The landlord participates in the tenant's application for rent relief, or 3. Mattingly said more than 400 of his companys residents have tried to apply to the program. 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. Funds may not still be available by the time a household applies. 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. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning), Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy, Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American, https://texaslawhelp.org/eviction-referral, Texas Utility Help Program Receives More Energy Bill Assistance Funding, Expands Water Bill Assistance with Future Payments, Texas Utility Help Program Re-Opens Energy Bill Assistance. By clicking the plus sign by one of the listed programs, the page will expand and provide the full details of that program. State Rep. Diego Bernal, a San Antonio Democrat, wanted to know what was being done to make sure landlords know that the problems are being fixed and to urge them to hold off on filing eviction cases against tenants who tried to apply for rent relief but had their application held up . But Johnsons victory was short-lived. He oversees the state's executive branch, including the housing and community affairs department. Texas Rent Relief approved help for me August 27th. Texas' rental assistance program will soon run out of money P.O. Around the time of the eviction, Scott and her husband separated. The . Request for assistance has been verified and approved. the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in Texas. 0000002022 00000 n 0000020158 00000 n As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. 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. 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. Katy Texas Rent Assistance: Nonprofits To Help With Rent Payments 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. 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. Feb 27, 2023. Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Programs - Weekend Landlords 0000006939 00000 n Houston, TX 77258. Attempts to reach the property owner RDRH Holdings Inc., an Austin-based corporation and its president were unsuccessful. No New Applications Accepted 0000078063 00000 n 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. Assistance continues to grow with an average of $6 million approved per day in the last week, with marked increases seen weekly. Texas Tech Today | Texas Tech Today | TTU And frankly, theyre tired.. 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. 0000078000 00000 n At a Jan. 10 eviction hearing, Gates said she told Williamson County Justice of the Peace KT Musselman she had been approved for rent relief and explained that the check went to the wrong address facts she said the property manager, who represented the landlord in court, backed up. PDF Application Response Times For Initial Funding Requests - Texas Rent Relief 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. 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. Eligibility for all applicants who have not yet received the maximum amount of 15 months of assistance will receive an email invitation to submit an additional request for assistance 60 days after their previous payment was disbursed. 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. Meanwhile, Scott is trying to rebuild her life. Food + Drink A scathing staff report from the Texas House Urban Affairs Committee released Monday details a host of issues that have plagued the more than $1 billion rent relief program. COVID-19 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. The property manager quickly confirmed that they had and Jasso tossed the eviction. Landlord Application Information | Brazoria County, TX Utilities, Clothing for Children, Employment assistance services. But Musselman expressed sympathy for the landlord, noting that they had gone 11 months without rent from Gates. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. 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). Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Best of luck to you and anyone needing this assistance. Neighborhood Centers Inc: 713-665-3600. 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. 0000058032 00000 n The program was originally launched in February 2021 and is administered by the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, a federal effort to mitigate the affordable housing crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Texas has only made 3 rent relief payments AUSTIN - The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) announced it will re-open the Texas Rent Relief (TRR) application portal from March 14-28 in order to accept new applications for a remaining $96M in TRR funds. 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. 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. Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter? Ask us! Tenants in New Units: Tenants who are living at a new address may request funds through the AFR process for the rent expenses of the new primary residence. Are you a Texas resident looking for affordable housing? Texas family evicted after rent relief program paid the wrong landlord Texas rent relief program slow to make payments and - The Texas Tribune All those folks acted in good faith on something that we offered them, that theyre by definition entitled toand by some sort of error, theyre not getting the relief that they need, and then the state Supreme Court let its rules around the eviction moratorium lapse, Bernal said. If both payments came from our program, the duplicate payment must be returned. The statewide program doled out more than $1.2 billion to 212,344 households. PDF TEXAS RENT RELIEF PROGRAM Understanding the Status of your Application Members in the News (MEMBERS ONLY) For the past year, housing advocates have been pointing to the slow-rolling housing crisis brought on by the pandemic. They lose their jobs, they lose their health, they have trouble with their relationships, they have trouble getting back on their feet, said Christina Rosales, deputy director for the advocacy group Texas Housers. Check status periodically. All past-due rent and utilities (back to March 13, 2020) will be paid first. endobj I"OqC)RrQBY( ,VN?4Tmj|e@O)&$O&WrVRKT0X5Vrs'O. {wKPK?c- C <=fL5h|'(d-$7(r ~9 qFP9v8i-LKp Nx@`{>-aB58c$f_Q. TDHCA operates the state hotline where complaints originate. Payment is in process. Home If you owe unpaid rent or utilities, that amount will be paid in one lump sum within 10 business days of your final approval. A spokesperson did not respond to the request for comment. This page has answers to questions about the Texas Rent Relief Program for both landlords and tenants. 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. Applicants must still provide all other required program documentation and must provide evidence of the notice of utility disconnection. Updated information and a lease for the new unit will be required in the AFR application. Many people, especially women, have been unable to work because of child care responsibilities. 0000032141 00000 n 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. % Two months later, Scott received an email acknowledging her complaint but said she hasnt heard back since. rental assistance programs, totaling $46.55 billion. Rent Relief Programs 2021 - Apartment Association of Greater Dallas Eligible households can apply online or over the phone for first-time or additional program assistance. Texas Rent Relief Program has $96M remaining to help Texans affected by the pandemic. Please reload the page and try again. 2021 Program Information. Regardless of your immigration status, you will be eligible for rent relief if you have been adversely affected by COVID-19 or are . 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. For Landlords who applied for unpaid or future rent on behalf of tenants. See our Eviction page for information on the CDC's eviction moratorium and other eviction topics. 0000026104 00000 n Landlord Application Information. Then they mailed it to the wrong address twice and they want to evict me. As of August 11, 2021, TRR has paid over $658 million in rent and utility assistance to assist over 107,000 households, and funding is still available. For more information on returning a payment, email [email protected]. We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine. The application software issue has been resolved. This Plano family got evicted after the Texas Rent Relief program paid the wrong landlord. 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. Landlords and tenants are particularly put on notice that 18 U.S.C. Tirloni, the TDHCA spokesperson, declined to discuss individual tenants cases, including Scotts, citing state law that prevents TDHCA from disclosing information about people who receive benefits from programs administered by the agency. The state has already launched a website for the program, where both landlords and tenants facing a pile of bills will be able to apply starting at 8 a.m. Monday. 0000048055 00000 n The Texas Rent Relief Program will be run by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. 0000068079 00000 n trailer <]/Prev 155979>> startxref 0 %%EOF 48 0 obj <>stream After the software glitches, they were asked to resubmit their applications. "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. Under the program rules, landlords are allowed to evict only in specific situations, such as lease violations related to criminal activity, property damage or physical harm to others, Mintz pointed out. The Tribune contacted government agencies involved in the program and found that none of them including the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, which runs the state rent relief program track how often this happens. And only 250 of payments have been sent. 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. Texas Rent Relief : r/texas - reddit

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