Job Listings 2 '.&& ,f1. For Landlords who applied for unpaid or future rent on behalf of tenants. 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. Find the program in your area by state , territory, or tribe and apply for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA). Hosted every Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m., by the. 2021 Program Information. Altogether, about $2 billion of the federal rental and utility assistance funds approved by Congress last year were earmarked for Texas. And only 250 of payments have been sent. 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. Applicant will receive an email notification of approval. 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. As of Feb. 17, Gates former landlord hadnt done so, Stamm said. Legislative Updates (MEMBERS ONLY) You cant have it both ways with Texas Rent Relief, Stamm said. Payments have been approved for more than 2,200 additional households, the agency dashboard indicated Friday. 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). endobj 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. 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. Most states have lifted their . This website allows you to ask a lawyer a legal question in writing for free. Mar 1, 2023. events. Cherice Scotts landlord evicted her and her family in October, then cashed a check for rental assistance funds intended to keep them housed. 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. 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. The Texas Rent Relief Program will shut down its application portal at 5 p.m. on Friday. Texas Rent Relief Program has $96M remaining to help Texans affected by the pandemic. You cant get paid directly, and also break the promises you made that were designed to keep someone in their home.. 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 details for each program are available below. 0000098050 00000 n 0000015708 00000 n Applications can be also made . Eligibility: For anyone who currently rents in the United States and resides in any of the properties Esusu works with. 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. See our Eviction page for information on the CDC's eviction moratorium and other eviction topics. By the end of March, only 250 people had actually got help paying for rent out of 72,000 completed applications. View The Texas Eviction Diversion Program Highlights. But The Texas Tribune interviewed tenants from across the state who were approved for federal rental assistance and were evicted anyway. Then they mailed it to the wrong address twice and they want to evict me. Around the time of the eviction, Scott and her husband separated. The Texas Rent Relief Program was launched by TDHCA on February 15th to solve this problem and bring relief to millions across the United States. The fund is designed to provide rent relief for renters experiencing financial hardship. We've provided over $2B in emergency funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). 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. Weve been expecting there to be aid [for renters] for months and months so there should have been a plan in place.. Calls to Musemeche were not returned. What is clear is that a lot of Texans could use the help of the Texas Rent Relief program. The program application now allows these applicants to self-attest to their household income, meeting program requirements instead of uploading income documentation. Payment in Process Good news! No New Applications Accepted KPRC 2 Investigates has received dozens of complaints from people all . 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. 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. 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. Your application status will flash one of the following statuses as provided in the chart. Request for assistance has been verified and approved. But the tenants are still the ones holding the bag.. Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day's latest updates. 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). TDHCA has taken very seriously the responsibility of helping Texas renters and landlords overcome the financial burden brought on by the pandemic, Tirloni said. 0000032455 00000 n As much as we work to mitigate human error, the potential for application errors exists. While hes cautiously optimistic that the Texas Rent Relief programs problems have largely been addressed, fundamental questions remain unanswered. To a question about whether the application website is mobile-friendly, he replied, its mobile-compatible. Most went into the statewide Texas Rent Relief program, and the rest when to city and county governments. Texas Rent Relief approved help for me August 27th. %PDF-1.7 According to the report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications, just over 1,000 have had their applications approved. 0000001196 00000 n For households who applied directly for unpaid or future rent or utilities. And were also looking for ways to streamline, reduce documentation burdens, and well continue to adapt as needed, Wilkinson said. 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. Documentation of Lease: Tenants who are requesting AFR to pay for rent at a new unit must provide a copy of their new lease. Greg Abbott for comment on the report. In our view, the judge made a mistake letting the trial proceed as soon as [the property manager] confirmed that the owner had a pending application for rental assistance, Stamm said in an email. This time period has been shortened based on direction from the Department of Treasury. 0000008211 00000 n 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. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) created this COVID-19 relief program in February of 2021. As of Wednesday, the program has assisted more than 300,000 households. TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. 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. 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. Tenants who are requesting AFR and have remained in the same unit as their original request and for whom the months of assistance requested as part of the AFR are outside of the term for the lease submitted with the tenants initial application (including if the lease is now month-to-month), or if the tenant did not provide a lease as part of their initial application, verbal confirmation with the tenant or landlord to confirm the tenant is still in the unit is acceptable proof of tenancy. 0000068079 00000 n <> 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. 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. We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine. Arts + Culture The Texas Rent Relief program was set up to help people pay their bills. <>/Metadata 393 0 R/ViewerPreferences 394 0 R>> Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. 3 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. It takes away your pride and makes me feel like I failed as a parent. Also, the application status in the Neighborly system will be updated when the payment has been made. Tenants who are eligible for an Additional Funding Request may submit requests for rental and utility assistance for the current month and two future months. Business Applications in this set-aside will be processed first to decrease application processing time and increase the likelihood of evictions being diverted. Policy and Regulatory Updates (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. Home The Texas Rent Relief Program provides emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). In these cases, payments will be made directly to the tenant, who then is required to pay the landlord. In February, Texas launched a program to help people who had missed rent payments because of the pandemic. All Rights Reserved. The Housing Assistance Program (HAP)* provides financial assistance to renters experiencing emergency hardships from COVID-19 and to keep families in their homes. This story has been updated to include comments from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Members in the News (MEMBERS ONLY) Texas Rent Relief Program The program has assisted more than 6,000 households in the state thus far. Donate to join or renew today. Media Availability Planned For Texas Tech's 8th Annual Ambassadors' Forum. 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. Access Invoices & ReceiptsRequest W9Questions & Special Requests, Update Your ProfileRequest Company Name ChangeAdding/Removing EmployeesFrequently Asked QuestionsContact Us, Mailing Address2401 E 6th St, Ste 3037, PMB 153Austin, TX 78702Email UsPhone: 512-476-9901, Aug 20, 2021 | COVID19, Latest News, Newsletter. The program has emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). The Texas Rent Relief (TRR) program provides Texas tenants with financial help with rent and utility bills. 0000020386 00000 n If both payments came from our program, the duplicate payment must be returned. 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. Then she gave up her job at the Katy hospital to care once more for her youngest daughter. All applications will be processed in the order they are received, giving priority to those households facing evictions. The landlord applies for rent relief, or 2. 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. Approvals have. 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. 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. Payment is in process. UPDATE: Accepting New Applications For Limited Time, March 14-28, 2023. 0000088072 00000 n Print Feedback. If your landlord breaks their agreement with the Texas Rent Relief program, you may file a complaint with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Mattingly also heads the Dallas Apartment Association, which represents landlords. They may also request assistance with any arrears that have not already been covered by previous TRR assistance or another provider, so long as the total months of assistance for each type of assistance (for example, rent, gas, water, etc.) *L#H0o=M6S:{D A^o l'a7*, Thats created a confusing patchwork of rental assistance across the state, with rules for how to navigate them still unclear, and its forcing landlords into an odd new role. 0000020158 00000 n QAP Alerts (MEMBERS ONLY) There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The state's $1.9 billion rental assistance program, which launched during the pandemic, has helped more . During the hearing, lawmakers pressed Wilkinson on a number of issues. But none of that recovered money is helping tenants ousted from their homes, said Julia Ordua, Southeast Texas regional director for Texas Housers, a nonprofit low-income housing advocacy group. ?$.#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, 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. Were adding added significant resources to attack the backlog and get the money out the door. 0000048055 00000 n The Apartment Association of Greater Dallas has compiled a list of state and local rental assistance programs. According to a legislative report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications for rental assistance, just over 1,000 have had their applications approved. Member Grand Openings (MEMBERS ONLY) Tenant applicants who have received a notice of utility disconnection are now prioritized for application review similarly to those applicants being sued for eviction. 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 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. Its peoples lives at stake here, because when evictions happen, their lives are torn apart. In order to receive federal rent relief funds through the state, landlords had to sign an agreement that forbids them from evicting tenants for nonpayment during the time period covered by the assistance. Copyright by the Texas State Law Library. On Wednesday, the head of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs took questions from lawmakers about the troubled rollout of the program. After the software glitches, they were asked to resubmit their applications. The application process is managed through a software application called Neighborly. But I dont want to give up.. 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. 0000026104 00000 n 0000010218 00000 n Anticipated time to receive payment: 7-14 days Request for assistance has been denied. 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. 0000068016 00000 n This program has specific eligibility requirements and not all households may be eligible. Those facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to their eviction hearing, and stay in communication with their landlord and the court. SACRAMENTO - California's COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is reaching a significant milestone today - by the end of the day, more than $1 billion in funding will be obligated - meaning the money has either been paid or approved for payment and awaiting disbursement - and will assist over 74,000 additional households. 0000078063 00000 n Exactly how many people have fallen behind on rent over the past year is unclear. Questions? Since their October eviction from their Katy apartment, Scott and her four children have lived in hotels and other temporary settings. 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. That makes removing barriers to helping families catch up on the rent even more vital, Rosales said. 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. by Christopher Connelly, KERA News TDHCA operates the state hotline where complaints originate. 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. 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. Cities and counties that operate local rental assistance programs have $368 million. 5309 Decker Dr. 281.424.5752. However, Tarrant County's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), along with programs administered by the cities of Arlington and Fort Worth, will . Texas Rent Relief approved her for a little over $3,100 about three months worth of rent. TRR is processing applications . Ask us! 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. 0000025788 00000 n The same day, her landlord told Johnson her lease wouldnt be renewed when it expired the following week, she said. 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. I am being evicted for not paying rent. And frankly, theyre tired.. ) 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. "I urge qualifying households to apply for this program once applications open on February 15th. Her landlord gave her until the end of May to do so. I shouldnt have.. Member Newsletters (MEMBERS ONLY) 0000048118 00000 n Recent updates February 2023. Then you can type what your issue or concern. 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. 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. Yet they still pushed us out.. We believe owners have done their best to try to understand the intricacies of the program and comply with its requirements, Mintz said. . Some local governments still have money for rent help, but those funds may soon run out, as well. The next month, their landlord started the eviction process, even though Scott, 37, had taken the rental office staffs advice and requested help from Texas $2 billion, federally backed rental assistance fund. The . Wilkinson said many people who tried to apply may need to go back and take extra steps to complete the application. 0000009860 00000 n 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. The email and template I was provided: Support@texasrentrelief.com Subject: Your Tenant case id. 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. 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.