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. 3/11/2021 Funding Update: $918,238,535 available 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. Despite that, the property manager told Musselman they wanted to proceed with the case, Gates said. Some Texas landlords took rent relief money but evicted tenants anyway Community Applicants must still provide all other required program documentation and must provide evidence of the notice of utility disconnection. Houston, TX 77258. Texas Rent Relief gave me a second (or duplicate) payment for a tenant's month of rent. <> Landlord Application Information. I am being evicted for not paying rent. 0000078063 00000 n Texas closed the rent relief program to new applicants in November, citing overwhelming demand for rental assistance dollars. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. 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. 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 . Sign up here. Guides: COVID-19 & Texas Law: Rent & Legal Assistance Its awesome. 3 0 obj 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. Housing Assistance Program - San Antonio 0000030230 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. This website allows you to ask a lawyer a legal question in writing for free. Texas has nearly $692 million available through its statewide rent relief program. Find the program in your area by state , territory, or tribe and apply for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA). 5309 Decker Dr. 281.424.5752. 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. Members in the News (MEMBERS ONLY) After submitting, applicants should watch for communication from TRR in case additional information is needed for application. 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. Applications to the relief program can be submitted beginning March 14. Applications can be also made . Eligible households can apply online or over the phone for first-time or additional program assistance. Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) Interests Texas Rent Relief Program Launched Bringing Rent Relief to Many East Texans shouldnt have to overcome so many bureaucratic and technological challenges just to get help that Congress already funded, Rosales said. Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program This news article describes the phasing out of a program designed to halt utility shut-offs that was implemented in March. Tenant Protections Under the Texas Emergency Order Regarding the Texas 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). At the federal level, that job falls to the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Inspector General. You cant get paid directly, and also break the promises you made that were designed to keep someone in their home.. 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. We're thankful for the opportunity to re-open Texas Rent Relief for two weeks to help more Texas tenants and landlords. All TDHCA employees and contractor employees have a responsibility to report waste, fraud and abuse within the agency. 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. Yet they still pushed us out.. Your application status will flash one of the following statuses as provided in the chart. We've provided over $2B in emergency funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). These changes go into effect on April 21st, 2021. All rights reserved. You can find the names and phone numbers of these organizations below. Texas Rent Relief : r/texas - reddit Do you value our journalism? trailer <]/Prev 155979>> startxref 0 %%EOF 48 0 obj <>stream TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, passed in December 2020, included $25 billion in urgently needed emergency rental assistance (ERA1) for tenants with low incomes and established the Emergency Rental Assistance program (ERA) administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury). 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. You cant have it both ways with Texas Rent Relief, Stamm said. Approval Notification: The landlord, tenant, and/or utility provider will now be notified automatically that a payment has been approved if an email address is present in the Neighborly system, and the notification will include the payment breakout. Eviction - COVID-19 & Texas Law - Guides at Texas State Law Library <>/Metadata 393 0 R/ViewerPreferences 394 0 R>> What you need to know about Texas' new rental relief program - KHOU Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter? 4 45 Please take our patron satisfaction survey! Calls to Musemeche were not returned. For households who applied directly for unpaid or future rent or utilities. Even if the rent relief check was in hand, it wouldnt have covered the amount sought by the landlord, Musselman said. Request for assistance has been verified and approved. You know, we just had the problems from [the pandemic] last year, which everybody did.. Questions? 0000002829 00000 n Attempts to reach the property owner RDRH Holdings Inc., an Austin-based corporation and its president were unsuccessful. Theres no excuse, Rosales said. 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. 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 . 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. 0000015708 00000 n Applicant will receive an email notification of approval. Texas Emergency rental assistance That help Paying Rent Failure to respond will delay application review and timeline for approved payments. 0000002022 00000 n Neighborhood Centers Inc: 713-665-3600. Nov. 9, 2021 - (Tarrant County) - As of Friday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m., the Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR), the State of Texas' rental assistance program, stopped accepting applications. Applicants that have received help from the program before but have not received the maximum of 18 months of assistance allowed, can submit an additional funding request using their existing online user account. 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. 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. 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. Then you can type what your issue or concern. Those facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to their eviction hearing, and stay in communication with their landlord and the court. 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. Latest If you are concerned that a community is not in compliance, please contact the TDHCA at 512-475-3800. Musselman sided with Gates landlord and granted the eviction. 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. The fund is designed to provide rent relief for renters experiencing financial hardship. All past-due rent and utilities (back to March 13, 2020) will be paid first. Texas Rent Relief Program Provides Over $550 Million in Assistance Find a complete list of them here. If a landlord is not paid, the payment will be made directly to the tenant. And only 250 of payments have been sent. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. Updated: 8 AM Central. 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. 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. The rent relief checks cleared RDRHs bank account on Feb. 4 less than two weeks after Gates was evicted. Then in December, the property owner filed an eviction case against Gates and gave her a notice to vacate. How are we doing? Donate to join or renew today. TAAHP does not have regulatory or compliance authority for any affordable housing communities or developments. The landlord submits any information or documentation to receive payment as part of a rent relief program. pk}b=^ ;+2b4+rU:"KOJF&. Some rent relief programs, including the Texas Rent Relief Program, will make your landlord forgo all unreasonable late fees. Texas' rental assistance program will soon run out of money The Apartment Association of Greater Dallas has compiled a list of state and local rental assistance programs. Call to schedule an appointment with a legal representative. 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. 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. The property manager quickly confirmed that they had and Jasso tossed the eviction. It turns out the state program had sent the check in September to the wrong address. What is clear is that a lot of Texans could use the help of the Texas Rent Relief program. The Texas Rent Relief Program will be run by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. As of last week, $20.1 million in rent relief has been recaptured, TDHCA spokesperson Kristina Tirloni said, adding that not all of that was connected to allegations of fraud, waste or abuse. First-time TRR applicants may be eligible for up to 18 months of rent and utility bill assistance, either with past due payments or a combination of past due and up to three months of current and future payments made on their behalf. What do I do? 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. Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Section 8 housing voucher Low-income residents may be eligible to get help paying rent. Larry Berman New Keynote Speaker For Vietnam War Conference Banquet. He was asked whether he planned to reduce the $42 million contract with Horne LLP due to the troubled rollout, and said his team is reviewing the contract. Rent - Landlord/Tenant Law - Guides at Texas State Law Library TRR is processing applications . The program has assisted more than 6,000 households in the state thus far. We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine. 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. 0000002471 00000 n Renters: How to Get Rent Relief - Investopedia 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. Landlords can get up to 15 months of rent paid through this program, but only if they don't evict. 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. 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. See our Eviction page for information on the CDC's eviction moratorium and other eviction topics. Feb 27, 2023. On Jan. 27, Williamson County constables came to execute the eviction. But it's not a fast process. Top Listings April 8, 2022 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). You can also get financial assistance for rent, food, and other expenses by turning to other organizations. Landlord Application Information | Brazoria County, TX Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day's latest updates. 0000026187 00000 n 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 Texas has only made 3 rent relief payments Texas Tech Today | Texas Tech Today | TTU 0000012097 00000 n 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. But receiving rent relief dollars wasnt guaranteed, so some landlords filed for eviction in case the money didnt come through and as a last resort after months of going without rent, Mintz said. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. Some households will still qualify for the program while others will not. Print Feedback. Texas received more than $2 billion out of the American Rescue Plan Act, the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package President Joe Biden signed into law last year, to set up the Texas Rent. rental assistance programs, totaling $46.55 billion. I hope everyone gets the assistance that they need. 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. The Texas Rent Relief (TRR) program provides Texas tenants with financial help with rent and utility bills. The landlord participates in the tenant's application for rent relief, or 3. Texas Rent Relief assistance payments to landlords and utility providers are considered taxable income. Events / Networking Opportunities 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. 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. Avenue 360 (formerly Bearing Omega and Houston Area Community Services) Web. PDF DIRECT-TO-TENANT PAYMENT IMPLEMENTATION - National Low Income Housing 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. Fo;o7d0ywL|JR!xM%|{GGk#x5OOs=cj ldk6yQhvuFPH:A3w7p^km,xa5qJCzGn` Qm;\]RR)RfZzua!v" ExqKgp?NLR}.ka2`Rpbtm!#9#OF4?1B&|2ousE?-u@[2d(K8&8 \l=>` 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 $42 million. On July 28, 2021, the FHFA announced protections for tenants of multifamily properties with loans backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Macrequiring landlords to give tenants 30 days' notice before. The Texas Rent Relief Program was launched by TDHCA on February 15th to solve this problem and bring relief to millions across the United States. At a Jan. 10 eviction hearing, Gates said she told Williamson County Justice of the Peace KT Musselman she had been approved for rent relief and explained that the check went to the wrong address facts she said the property manager, who represented the landlord in court, backed up. Hosted every Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m., by the. Federal aid has gotten to only a fraction of Texans applying for assistance because they're behind on rent and trying to avoid being evicted. 0000001407 00000 n This Plano family got evicted after the Texas Rent Relief program paid the wrong landlord. Then she gave up her job at the Katy hospital to care once more for her youngest daughter. #4'x= 3r8 #TH(fY'O3 }~\N |iz$&dr_~azLN~u($~^ K H!K @gq4. 1 0 obj Were adding added significant resources to attack the backlog and get the money out the door. But the tenants are still the ones holding the bag.. We are learning more about why there are delays in the. Returning applicants who have not received the maximum allowed 18 months of assistance for rent and/or utility bills can submit an Additional Funding Request via their existing online user account. Cities and counties that operate local rental assistance programs have $368 million. You will get a 30-minute legal consultation with information, advice, and resources. Tenant applicants who have received a notice of utility disconnection are now prioritized for application review similarly to those applicants being sued for eviction. Failure to respond would only delay the application process. 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. by Joshua Fechter 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! 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. News from Members (MEMBERS ONLY) Im sitting thinking, My rents paid, OK, all I have to worry about is December and January, Gates said. Mattingly said more than 400 of his companys residents have tried to apply to the program. AUSTIN, Texas, March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 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. Requests for Proposals/Quotes (MEMBERS ONLY). An employee at Blazers office who answered the phone declined to answer questions. Shes impressed by how many do persevere. Weve been expecting there to be aid [for renters] for months and months so there should have been a plan in place.. 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. 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. Texas Rent Relief Program Re-Opens Applications for Limited Time, March Legislative Updates (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. In March 2022, Texas Rent Relief received additional funding to the tune of $47.8 million from the U.S. Treasury Department. If tenants feel they have been unjustly evicted, they can appeal the eviction, Mintz said. Texas Rent Relief Home Page | Texas Rent Relief an apparent violation of the programs requirements for landlords, survey gauging how the end of a federal moratorium on evictions was affecting tenants. ) 0000088072 00000 n Payment is in process. 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. We continue to see a strong need for assistance, and eviction filings statewide have now returned to pre-pandemic levels. 0000048118 00000 n 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. Texas Rent Relief Program has $96M remaining to help Texans affected by the pandemic. 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. Some local governments still have money for rent help, but those funds may soon run out, as well. Departments Emergency Rental Assistance Program. 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. 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.. Late fees over 12% of your monthly rent (10% for properties with more than four units) are unreasonable. 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. Wilkinson said many people who tried to apply may need to go back and take extra steps to complete the application. 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. 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. 2n -.-&) 1 1 The program will also have a call . If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse please call (833) 61-FRAUD or (833) 613-7283. Around that time, Johnson said she caught COVID-19 and had to miss a month of work. Eligibility: For anyone who currently rents in the United States and resides in any of the properties Esusu works with.