The program application now allows these applicants to self-attest to their household income, meeting program requirements instead of uploading income documentation. 0000088072 00000 n
This time period has been shortened based on direction from the Department of Treasury. KPRC 2 Investigates has received dozens of complaints from people all . from 8 AM - 9 PM ET. After submitting, applicants should watch for communication from TRR in case additional information is needed for application. 0000002829 00000 n
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. 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. Texas Homeowner Assistance Official Website Member Newsletters (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. Policy and Regulatory Updates (MEMBERS ONLY) Release of information or other details will be required under some circumstances. Also, the application status in the Neighborly system will be updated when the payment has been made. 0000020271 00000 n
The . SOURCE Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Cision Distribution 888-776-0942 an apparent violation of the programs requirements for landlords, survey gauging how the end of a federal moratorium on evictions was affecting tenants. But I dont want to give up.. The first payment never came because they had a Covid outbreak. The Texas Rent Relief program was set up to help people pay their bills. 1001 provides, among other things, that whoever knowingly and willingly makes or uses a document or writing containing any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States will be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. This guide is updated to reflect information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exactly how many people have fallen behind on rent over the past year is unclear. Tarrant County Renters Can Still Get Assistance 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. Prior to 2019, there was often confusion about what counted as a "reasonable" late fee. The public is also invited to share such concerns. California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Hits - California Governor Texas Rent Relief Program: Tax Forms and Other Updates - TAAHP QAP Alerts (MEMBERS ONLY) When Cherice Scott received a notice last September that she, her husband and their four children would soon be kicked out of their Katy apartment, she said employees at the complex told her not to worry about it. Johnson had asked the office manager whether they had received the latest check, she said. 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. Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) And were also looking for ways to streamline, reduce documentation burdens, and well continue to adapt as needed, Wilkinson said. Education / Webinars Print Feedback. To get that protection, you'll need to attest on a declaration form that you meet a few requirements, such as that you earned less than $99,000 in 2020 or 2021. Donate to join or renew today. Landlords can get up to 15 months of rent paid through this program, but only if they don't evict. The Texas Homeowner Assistance Fund Program (TXHAF) provides financial assistance to qualified Texas homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage and related expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the federal level, that job falls to the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Inspector General. 0000023877 00000 n
The application portal opens Tuesday, March 14th at 8 a.m. and closes Tuesday, March 28th, at 11:59 p.m. To contact the Texas Rent Relief program, please call 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368). Find a complete list of them here. 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. What you need to know about Texas' new rental relief program - KHOU A collection of state and federal agencies including the TDHCA are tasked with looking into allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in rent relief programs. As of Wednesday, the program has assisted more than 300,000 households. And more is on the. 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. by Joshua Fechter Other program limitations may also apply please see https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/covid19-response.htm for details. your Phone number -Specify Landlord or tenant rental assistance. 0000058032 00000 n
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. Those facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to their eviction hearing, and stay in communication with their landlord and the court. Texas Rent Relief Program Provides Over $100 Million in Assistance I was a good tenant, Gates said. Texas Rent Relief Program cy,a`G|~OOsQ>gR-"F
HT$uUD$>@he^? Arts + Culture Tenant applicants who have received a notice of utility disconnection are now prioritized for application review similarly to those applicants being sued for eviction. 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. KERA also reached out to Gov. Around the time of the eviction, Scott and her husband separated. Past due, current and up to 2 months of expected rent costs, Past due, current and up to 2 months of expected utility and home energy expenses, After the initial 3 months of current/future assistance, renters were able to apply for 3 additional months of assistance if funds were still available, If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse please call, View the Texas Rent Relief Program Dashboard (Dashboard in English), https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/covid19-response.htm. Shes impressed by how many do persevere. 0000068079 00000 n
On Wednesday, the head of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs took questions from lawmakers about the troubled rollout of the program. If you need help paying rent in Katy, or other financial assistance, reach out to Katy Christian Ministries for more information on their programs. Interests #4'x= 3r8
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The program has assisted more than 6,000 households in the state thus far. In other words, Scott had already been evicted, but Texas Rent Relief was letting the landlord keep the money more than $11,000 in apparent contradiction of its own policy. To a question about whether the application website is mobile-friendly, he replied, its mobile-compatible. Starting October 10, 2022, all new utility assistance payments are issued directly to the tenant to ensure timely and accurate utility assistance payments. Johnsons lawyer recorded the call. 0000020158 00000 n
The Texas Rent Relief Program will shut down its application portal at 5 p.m. on Friday. Texas Rent Relief assistance payments to landlords and utility providers are considered taxable income. Were adding added significant resources to attack the backlog and get the money out the door. Texas Rent Relief Home Page | Texas Rent Relief the service staff will examine your application and once it is approved you will be able to claim emergency rental . 8. 30j($>H&L&Q.]Ky,YIR _I@*v+ Other organizations That help paying rent in Houston. Some tenants who spoke to the Tribune about their cases said they called a hotline used to report fraud, waste and abuse in the state rent relief program and never heard back about their complaints. This news article describes the phasing out of a program designed to halt utility shut-offs that was implemented in March. These changes go into effect on April 21st, 2021. 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. 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. Texas Rent Relief approved her for a little over $3,100 about three months worth of rent. 2 '.&& ,f1. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) created this COVID-19 relief program in February of 2021. That makes removing barriers to helping families catch up on the rent even more vital, Rosales said. Governor Abbott, TDHCA Announce Statewide COVID-19 Rental Relief Your rent and/or utility relief payments will be made directly to your landlord and utility companies. Many people, especially women, have been unable to work because of child care responsibilities. Box 580314 It got off to a rocky start when it signed up just a few hundred people in the first few months. The TDHCA runs the Texas Rent Relief program. By the end of March, only 250 people had actually got help paying for rent out of 72,000 completed applications. In each expanded section, there are . Questions? The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs also offers a website about this program. See our Eviction page for information on the CDC's eviction moratorium and other eviction topics. TXHAF provides eligible homeowners with . A switch to a new software caused system outages and forced applicants to reapply. 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. COVID-19 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. 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. Most states have lifted their . However, Tarrant County's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), along with programs administered by the cities of Arlington and Fort Worth, will . Failure to respond will delay application review and timeline for approved payments. *Must make an appointment. 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. Some local governments still have money for rent help, but those funds may soon run out, as well. Yet they still pushed us out.. Then she gave up her job at the Katy hospital to care once more for her youngest daughter. TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. 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. Around that time, Johnson said she caught COVID-19 and had to miss a month of work. Updates to the Texas Rent Relief Program You cant have it both ways with Texas Rent Relief, Stamm said. We have more than $1 million of unpaid rent dating back to March of last year, said Ian Mattingly, president of LumaCorp, which manages about 7,000 rental apartments in Texas. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse please call (833) 61-FRAUD or (833) 613-7283. The program was originally launched in February 2021 and is administered by the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, a federal effort to mitigate the affordable housing crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Texas Rent Relief Program Reopens, Application Starts this Month Shes focused on finding a new place for her and her seven children to live. All those folks acted in good faith on something that we offered them, that theyre by definition entitled toand by some sort of error, theyre not getting the relief that they need, and then the state Supreme Court let its rules around the eviction moratorium lapse, Bernal said. Johnson, a manager of a hair salon and certified nursing assistant, had asked the program in October for help covering rent while she recovered from giving birth to her son and couldnt work. x]s6(4A y;4N}PmT\INvB/$( 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. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST Help is available in multiple languages. These landlords are the prime beneficiary of these rental assistance programs and just en masse have been violating the provisions of the programs and on top of that consistently misleading judges and securing judgments and evictions, even when theyre receiving funds.. New applications are not being accepted. 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. You will get a 30-minute legal consultation with information, advice, and resources. 0000001407 00000 n
The same day, her landlord told Johnson her lease wouldnt be renewed when it expired the following week, she said. And frankly, theyre tired.. 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. We strive to always do better, Tirloni said in an email. I dont know if its greatbut youre supposed to be able to use it on your mobile device.. Texans shouldnt have to overcome so many bureaucratic and technological challenges just to get help that Congress already funded, Rosales said. 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. 1 0 obj
2401 E 6th Street, Ste 3037, PMB 153, Austin, TX 78702. If tenants feel they have been unjustly evicted, they can appeal the eviction, Mintz said. In February, Texas launched a program to help people who had missed rent payments because of the pandemic. The details for each program are available below. Closed from 12 to 1pm for lunch. Governor Abbott, TDHCA Commit 95% Of Total Funds From Texas Rent Relief 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. How are we doing? 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. Legislative Updates (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. 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. 0000009860 00000 n
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. When the pandemic hit last year, millions of people across the country lost wages after they were laid off, furloughed or saw work hours cut. In late March she started a new job teaching at an early learning center. A portion of the funds have been set-aside specifically for households whose landlords have already sued for eviction in their local court. 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. This program has specific eligibility requirements and not all households may be eligible. Whoops! 0000032141 00000 n
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. The department . I shouldnt have.. After weeks of phone calls, a Texas Rent Relief program staffer told Scott that her former landlord had indeed received the rent relief money in mid-November more than $11,000, enough to cover the six months back rent they owed. We believe owners have done their best to try to understand the intricacies of the program and comply with its requirements, Mintz said. Weve had to handhold our residents through these various processes, obtaining the correct documentation, helping them with scanning, Mattingly was told by one landlord. 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. Our vision is to inspire and engage our members and stakeholders to end the affordable housing crisis in Texas. In March 2022, Texas Rent Relief received additional funding to the tune of $47.8 million from the U.S. Treasury Department. Latest 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. We've provided over $2B in emergency funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). Texas Rent Relief Program Landlord Tips - YouTube The morning of her March 18 eviction hearing, a Texas Rent Relief staffer told Johnson that her landlord had cashed the check two days earlier and gave her the check number. 0000009428 00000 n
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. Hope this timeline helps someone! Texas Rent Relief: Payment disbursed : r/texas - reddit 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! Postal Mail: In Texas, two state agencies the TDHCA, which oversees the statewide rent relief program, and the State Auditors Office have the authority to look into allegations of waste, fraud or abuse within the program. Visit the TDHCA contact us page for information. by Christopher Connelly, KERA News Last note, I was approved for 12 months back rent pay and 3 months forward, so I am receiving help for 15 months total. Scotts former landlord Blazer Real Estate Services, a Houston property management company did not respond to calls and emails requesting comment. TDHCA is using the funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). At the height of the pandemic in 2020, Gates, a 42-year-old Round Rock resident, saw her hours as a temp working in guest services at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport cut in half, and by January 2021 she was behind on rent for her two-bedroom apartment. 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. All past-due rent and utilities (back to March 13, 2020) will be paid first. The federal government and the state of Texas both had people like Scott and her family in mind when they hurriedly created a safety net for struggling renters amid the COVID-19 pandemic. An employee at Blazers office who answered the phone declined to answer questions. 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. A Texas rent relief program has been plagued by problems. 0000025788 00000 n
Texas law allows landlords to collect "reasonable" late fees if any portion of the rent remains unpaid more than two full days after it was due. Texas Housing Conference It hurts, that really hurts. Mattingly also heads the Dallas Apartment Association, which represents landlords. In her case, the check arrived in time but went to the wrong place. Are you looking for rent assistance resources, help with utility bills or reduced rent apartments? Texas rent relief program slow to make payments and - The Texas Tribune Her landlord gave her until the end of May to do so. 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. 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. It turns out the state program had sent the check in September to the wrong address. There have been nearly 50,000 eviction filings in Houston since the beginning of the pandemic. 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. Are you a Texas resident looking for affordable housing? Applicant will receive an email notification of approval. You can even upload documents for an attorney to review. News from Members (MEMBERS ONLY) When you click on the link for the first time, you will need to be prepared with a valid email address. 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. 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. A spokesperson did not respond to the request for comment. 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. 0000024288 00000 n
Updated information and a lease for the new unit will be required in the AFR application. Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Section 8 housing voucher Low-income residents may be eligible to get help paying rent. 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. Health ) Texas Tech To Host Art Gallery. Interests TDHCA operates the state hotline where complaints originate. Late Fees. Texas Emergency rental assistance That help Paying Rent "I urge qualifying households to apply for this program once applications open on February 15th. KPRC 2 Investigates Texas Rent Relief program: Why some renters have This page has answers to questions about the Texas Rent Relief Program for both landlords and tenants. 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). Requests for Proposals/Quotes (MEMBERS ONLY). Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. Texas rent relief program applications now open - msn.com Payments have been approved for more than 2,200 additional households, the agency dashboard indicated Friday. 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. 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. 1. In those cases, the check was initially sent to the wrong property and only arrived after the tenant was kicked out. [n6[_.7jSz 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. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), NLIHC COVID-19 State and Local Rental Assistance, Housing Legal Advice Hotline (St. Mary's School of Law), Nearly 600,000 Texans Will Lose Access to a Program That Prevented Electricity Shut-Offs During the Pandemic on Oct. 1 (8/27/2020), Texas Regulators Vote to Ban Residential Utility Shut-Offs During Pandemic While Buoying Companies (3/26/2020), Please take our patron satisfaction survey.