Johnson had asked the office manager whether they had received the latest check, she said. Feb 27, 2023. 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. And were also looking for ways to streamline, reduce documentation burdens, and well continue to adapt as needed, Wilkinson said. Media Availability Planned For Texas Tech's 8th Annual Ambassadors' Forum. If you owe unpaid rent or utilities, that amount will be paid in one lump sum within 10 business days of your final approval. On Wednesday, the head of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs took questions from lawmakers about the troubled rollout of the program. TXHAF is administered by TDHCA with funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. My landlord has signed up with bill.com to receive payment via ACH, so hopefully, he will receive payment sooner than later. 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. The states leadership shouldve been prepared to get money out to struggling renters as soon as Congress approved the funding, Rosales said, but instead have focused on their own political interests. Utility Payment Program Provides assistance to eligible Texas homeowners with qualified hardships to pay past due utility bills and up to three (3) months of prospective payments. Info about the decision to end the program and eviction diversion is included as well. The application process is managed through a software application called Neighborly. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Departments Emergency Rental Assistance Program. 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. Call to schedule an appointment with a legal representative. The Housing Assistance Program (HAP)* provides financial assistance to renters experiencing emergency hardships from COVID-19 and to keep families in their homes. 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. These changes go into effect on April 21st, 2021. This news article describes the phasing out of a program designed to halt utility shut-offs that was implemented in March. cy,a`G|~OOsQ>gR-"F HT$uUD$>@he^? 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). That happens even when tenants win their eviction cases in court. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. [n6[_.7jSz See our Eviction page for information on the CDC's eviction moratorium and other eviction topics. 5309 Decker Dr. 281.424.5752. 0000068016 00000 n 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. The email and template I was provided: Support@texasrentrelief.com Subject: Your Tenant case id. Maybe the money will be returned to Treasury and the wrong will be righted for the government, Ordua said. Housing experts say they expect expiration of the eviction rules will make the already spotty protections of the eviction moratorium even more unevenly applied. Scott said she complained to a program staffer in October about her landlords conduct, and the staffer referred the complaint to the programs anti-fraud division. The fund is designed to provide rent relief for renters experiencing financial hardship. 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.. Texas Rent Relief Program The Texas Rent Relief program was set up to help people pay their bills. 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. Expected time in this status: less than one week. 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. Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day's latest updates. The State Auditors Office declined to say whether it has launched any investigations into potential fraud, waste and abuse of the program. 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. TDHCA has provided the following updates regarding the program: ADDITIONAL FUNDING REQUESTS (AFR) INFORMATION. 0000020271 00000 n 0000032141 00000 n 0000009428 00000 n 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. When Dallas County Justice of the Peace Juan Jasso heard about the check and phone call, he asked the property manager whether they had received the check, Johnson said. the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in Texas. Member Newsletters (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. And frankly, theyre tired.. Hosted every Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m., by the. Lifestyle 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. New applications are not being accepted. In June, Gates said she lost her job after she missed a week of work because of a medical problem. Depending on each applicants needs and eligibility, this could include past-due payments or a combination of past-due and up to three months of current and future payments made on their behalf. TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. 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. 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. 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. -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 . For Landlords who applied for unpaid or future rent on behalf of tenants. This Plano family got evicted after the Texas Rent Relief program paid the wrong landlord. by Joshua Fechter In order to collect this late fee, the landlord must have included notice of it in a written lease. Home ownership Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Section 8 housing voucher Low-income residents may be eligible to get help paying rent. 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). 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). Those facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to their eviction hearing, and stay in communication with their landlord and the court. Effectiveness of. Community On Jan. 27, Williamson County constables came to execute the eviction. 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. This program has specific eligibility requirements and not all households may be eligible. If both payments came from our program, the duplicate payment must be returned. 0000023877 00000 n 0000015708 00000 n Johnsons trying not to dwell on the saga. rental assistance programs, totaling $46.55 billion. At the moment, Gates is bouncing back and forth between her fathers house and a friends while she appeals her eviction in an attempt to strike it from her record and make it easier for her to find a new place. Members in the News (MEMBERS ONLY) <>/Metadata 393 0 R/ViewerPreferences 394 0 R>> Those constituents were told they were unable to receive their eligible assistance while the agency recouped the funds, the lawmakers wrote Thursday to TDHCA board Chair Leo Vasquez. But none of the agencies contacted by the Tribune would say whether any landlord has been credibly accused of taking rent relief money and improperly ousting their tenants, or whether they have imposed penalties on landlords for doing so. Our Legal Help guide has information on free legal hotlines, legal clinics, and legal aid organizations, as well as information on how to find a lawyer who could represent you. Applications to the relief program can be submitted beginning March 14. Reporting: On February 15, 2023 Treasury released ERA1 & ERA2 Quarterly Demographic Data for Q1 2021 through Q3 2022; January 2023. Find the program in your area by state , territory, or tribe and apply for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA). x]s6(4A y;4N}PmT\INvB/$( I shouldnt have.. 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. 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. 0000009860 00000 n Print Feedback. It got off to a rocky start when it signed up just a few hundred people in the first few months. Landlords can get up to 15 months of rent paid through this program, but only if they don't evict. Texas Rent Relief approved help for me August 27th. The state-level program meant to help both Texas renters impacted financially by the pandemic and their landlords announced Thursday morning that it would stop taking new applications for . Payments have been approved for more than 2,200 additional households, the agency dashboard indicated Friday. r.t)gfv9~;Y>)?4{(gbx|/Ipv.8|0a(#0`~GhFc=pxr1{YpG0 This time period has been shortened based on direction from the Department of Treasury. The landlord participates in the tenant's application for rent relief, or 3. A Texas rent relief program has been plagued by problems. 0000002022 00000 n These funds may be disbursed to either tenants or landlords. Greg Abbott for comment on the report. 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. 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. According to the TRR portal, the program provided over $2 billion in emergency funds since its launch, helping more than 310,000 Texas families remain stably housed during the pandemic. Neighborhood Centers Inc: 713-665-3600. Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter? Box 580314 They told her there was no way to see if they had received it, she said. At the federal level, that job falls to the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Inspector General. 30j($>H&L&Q.]Ky,YIR _I@*v+ 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. The property manager quickly confirmed that they had and Jasso tossed the 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. 0000047797 00000 n When you click on the link for the first time, you will need to be prepared with a valid email address. To receive help from Katy Christian Ministries you must live in one of the following zip codes: 77084, 77094, 77406, 77423, 77441, 77449, 77450, 77464, 77476, 77485, 77493, 77494 Texas Rent Relief gave me a second (or duplicate) payment for a tenant's month of rent. Legislative Updates (MEMBERS ONLY) However, Tarrant County's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), along with programs administered by the cities of Arlington and Fort Worth, will . The statewide program doled out more than $1.2 billion to 212,344 households. Show us with your support. If you are concerned that a community is not in compliance, please contact the TDHCA at 512-475-3800. If you or someone you know still needs help with the rent relief process or pending eviction, you can apply for free legal help at https://www.lonestarlegal.org or by calling 1-800-733-8394. Her former landlord had taken the rent relief funds after they evicted her. <> We're thankful for the opportunity to re-open the application portal for two weeks to help more Texas tenants and landlords," said Bobby Wilkinson, TDHCA Executive Director. Visit TexasRentRelief.com for more program highlights. Texas Rent Relief Program has $96M remaining to help Texans affected by the pandemic. According to the National Housing Law Project, 86% of the 119 lawyers across the country who responded to a survey gauging how the end of a federal moratorium on evictions was affecting tenants said they had seen cases where landlords either declined to apply for assistance from rent relief programs or took the money and proceeded to kick out their tenants. Since being evicted from their home in Katy, Cherice Scott and her four children have lived in hotels and other temporary settings, most recently a short-term rental in Missouri City. Houston, TX 77258. Texas Rent Relief assistance payments to landlords and utility providers are considered taxable income. But The Texas Tribune interviewed tenants from across the state who were approved for federal rental assistance and were evicted anyway. Late Fees. Advocacy Alerts Librarians at the State Law Library can provide information about the law, but cannot give legal advice. ?$.#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, 0000088072 00000 n % Last note, I was approved for 12 months back rent pay and 3 months forward, so I am receiving help for 15 months total. The Texas Rent Relief Program provides emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). 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. 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. 2023 Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers. Tirloni said the agency doesnt track what portion of those clawed-back funds came from landlords found to have improperly evicted their tenants after receiving assistance or categorize what scenarios would result in recapturing the money. Of the roughly 200 that have completed applications, only two have been approved for funding. 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. The same day, her landlord told Johnson her lease wouldnt be renewed when it expired the following week, she said. Donate to join or renew today. While many have gone back to work, the unemployment rate remains significantly higher than it was before the pandemic. 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. 0000058095 00000 n 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. In late March she started a new job teaching at an early learning center. If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse please call (833) 61-FRAUD or (833) 613-7283. Subscribe to recieve Local Profile email updates every Monday and Thursday. 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. Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Attempts to reach the property owner RDRH Holdings Inc., an Austin-based corporation and its president were unsuccessful. 0000078063 00000 n 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. All Rights Reserved. endobj Events / Networking Opportunities After logging in, click on the application status and check with the details provided. The program will also have a call . 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. Updated information and a lease for the new unit will be required in the AFR application. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. In February, Texas launched a program to help people who had missed rent payments because of the pandemic. 2n -.-&) 1 1 Appeals must be submitted within 30 days. Its awesome. 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. 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. Johnsons lawyer recorded the call. Avenue 360 (formerly Bearing Omega and Houston Area Community Services) Web. Your application status will flash one of the following statuses as provided in the chart. Some local governments still have money for rent help, but those funds may soon run out, as well. requested do not exceed the program limit of 15 months. While applications can be made online through the programs portal, the TDHCA call center at (833) 9TX-RENT (833-989-7368) will be available to submit applications over the phone. It is kind of a miracle that they are able to do it.. You can even upload documents for an attorney to review. Faced with a pot of federal money larger than the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs' annual budget, the state agency contracted Houston-based management consultancy Horne LLP to run the Texas Rent Relief program, agreeing to pay the company more than $42 million. This story has been updated to include comments from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. 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. Researchers have offered estimates of past-due rent in the U.S. ranging from $8.4 billion to $52.6 billion. Cherice Scotts son, 6-year-old Teegan McKinney, plays at a park in Houston. Best of luck to you and anyone needing this assistance. TDHCA has taken very seriously the responsibility of helping Texas renters and landlords overcome the financial burden brought on by the pandemic, Tirloni said. The Texas rent relief program has only made three payments despite being online for over . Texas Tech To Host Art Gallery. This is our third or fourth round of rental assistance for some of these folks, and the documentation process for each round has been different and the application process has been a little bit different, he said. 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. The Apartment Association of Greater Dallas has compiled a list of state and local rental assistance programs. For more information on returning a payment, email [email protected]. Its peoples lives at stake here, because when evictions happen, their lives are torn apart. By the end of March, only 250 people had actually got help paying for rent out of. I trusted them, Scott said. Texas has nearly $692 million available through its statewide rent relief program. 0000008211 00000 n About the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. 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 Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) created this COVID-19 relief program in February of 2021. 4 0 obj Stamm alleges that RDRH Holdings violated six requirements set out by the program in a contract landlords must sign in order to receive funds. 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. Evaluating the. We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine. To request this information, please contact us toll-free at 833-9TX-RENT (833-989-7368). 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. Your rent and/or utility relief payments will be made directly to your landlord and utility companies. 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. 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. Utilities, Clothing for Children, Employment assistance services. Documentation of Lease: Tenants who are requesting AFR to pay for rent at a new unit must provide a copy of their new lease. Scotts former landlord Blazer Real Estate Services, a Houston property management company did not respond to calls and emails requesting comment. 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. TAAHP does not facilitate applications for affordable housing. The details for each program are available below. 0000002829 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. Cities and counties that operate local rental assistance programs have $368 million. 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. Health endobj The department . 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. The Texas Rent Relief (TRR) program provides Texas tenants with financial help with rent and utility bills. The program has emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). Member Editorials (MEMBERS ONLY) Despite that, the property manager told Musselman they wanted to proceed with the case, Gates said. stream What is clear is that a lot of Texans could use the help of the Texas Rent Relief program. The idea of landlords taking rent relief dollars and still evicting tenants is outrageous, she said, and could warrant investigation. Things To Do The TDHCA runs the Texas Rent Relief program. On January 24,2023, Treasury released the reallocation amounts for ERA2 Quarter 2 General Pool Reallocation and Designated Voluntary Reallocations; Guidance: On January 5, 2023 Treasury published an updated version of the ERA1 . 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. 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. 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. That makes removing barriers to helping families catch up on the rent even more vital, Rosales said. Top Listings Mattingly also heads the Dallas Apartment Association, which represents landlords. But I dont want to give up.. All applications will be processed in the order they are received, giving priority to those households facing evictions. Eligibility: For anyone who currently rents in the United States and resides in any of the properties Esusu works with. For checking the Texas rent relief application status, you can either go online or call them up at 1-833-989-7368. A portion of the funds have been set-aside specifically for households whose landlords have already sued for eviction in their local court. 0000098050 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). Applications can be also made . Questions? *Must make an appointment. Stephanie Gates also thought the state rent relief program would save her from an eviction. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. "To date, Texas Rent Relief has served . 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. 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. And more is on the. 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. Postal Mail: Failure to respond would only delay the application process. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) created this COVID-19 relief program in February of 2021. Theres no excuse, Rosales said. If you have evidence, be sure to bring it to court. 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. But the program had fixed that error, the email said. 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.
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