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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. 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. Updated information and a lease for the new unit will be required in the AFR application. 4 45 0000026187 00000 n But she still hasnt found a place to live. Anticipated time to receive payment: 7-14 days Request for assistance has been denied. The State Auditors Office declined to say whether it has launched any investigations into potential fraud, waste and abuse of the program. 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. 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. Texas closed the rent relief program to new applicants in November, citing overwhelming demand for rental assistance dollars. We will accept new applications for rent and utility assistance from Tuesday, March 14 at 8 a.m. CT to Tuesday, March 28 at 11:59 p.m. CT. COVID-19 has affected Texans across the state. 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. 0000009860 00000 n Landlord Application Information. 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. This interactive map and searchable database from the National Low Income Housing Coalition can be used to find state and local emergency rental assistance programs near you. 4 0 obj And only 250 of payments have been sent. How are we doing? 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. By the end of March, only 250 people had actually got help paying for rent out of. The program has emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). The first payment never came because they had a Covid outbreak. 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. April 7, 20215 PM Central. <>/Metadata 393 0 R/ViewerPreferences 394 0 R>> You can find the names and phone numbers of these organizations below. An employee at the apartment complex, Crestshire Village Apartments, declined to comment. Your application status will flash one of the following statuses as provided in the chart. Some areas still ban evictions outright. Texas Rent Relief approved her for a little over $3,100 about three months worth of rent. Funds may not still be available by the time a household applies. Print Feedback. 0000058032 00000 n 4 0 obj <> endobj xref 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. Tenant applicants who have received a notice of utility disconnection are now prioritized for application review similarly to those applicants being sued for eviction. 0000002863 00000 n The rent relief checks cleared RDRHs bank account on Feb. 4 less than two weeks after Gates was evicted. Meanwhile, Scott is trying to rebuild her life. Most states have lifted their . 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 He oversees the state's executive branch, including the housing and community affairs department. 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=>` 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. They told her there was no way to see if they had received it, she said. TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. 5309 Decker Dr. 281.424.5752. %PDF-1.7 Musselman sided with Gates landlord and granted the eviction. There have been nearly 50,000 eviction filings in Houston since the beginning of the pandemic. April 8, 2022 cy,a`G|~OOsQ>gR-"F HT$uUD$>@he^? 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. r.t)gfv9~;Y>)?4{(gbx|/Ipv.8|0a(#0`~GhFc=pxr1{YpG0 The program was originally launched in February 2021 and is administered by the . It takes away your pride and makes me feel like I failed as a parent. Request for assistance has been verified and approved. 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. For Landlords who applied for unpaid or future rent on behalf of tenants. 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. The idea of landlords taking rent relief dollars and still evicting tenants is outrageous, she said, and could warrant investigation. You cant have it both ways with Texas Rent Relief, Stamm said. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. Of the maximum $65,000 available per household, up to $10,000 can be used for utility assistance (inclusive of past due balance and prospective assistance). Theres no excuse, Rosales said. 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. News from Members (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. 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.. Exactly how many people have fallen behind on rent over the past year is unclear. As of July 26, more than 95,000 households have received assistance from the Texas Rent Relief Program, and almost $600 million in relief has been paid out, according to the TDHCA. Applicants must still provide all other required program documentation and must provide evidence of the notice of utility disconnection. The program will also have a call . To request this information, please contact us toll-free at 833-9TX-RENT (833-989-7368). The statewide program doled out more than $1.2 billion to 212,344 households. 0000026104 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 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. By the end of March, only 250 people had actually got help paying for rent out of 72,000 completed applications. Mar 1, 2023. events. "To date, Texas Rent Relief has served . 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. 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. Johnson had asked the office manager whether they had received the latest check, she said. 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. 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. For checking the Texas rent relief application status, you can either go online or call them up at 1-833-989-7368. Recent updates February 2023. This news article provides an overview of the Texas Public Utilities Commission's recent order and how it will affect customers in Texas. Info about the decision to end the program and eviction diversion is included as well. According to the report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications, just over 1,000 have had their applications approved. Evaluating the. Documentation of Lease: Tenants who are requesting AFR to pay for rent at a new unit must provide a copy of their new lease. 0000023877 00000 n We believe owners have done their best to try to understand the intricacies of the program and comply with its requirements, Mintz said. 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. Other organizations That help paying rent in Houston. The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, passed in December 2020, included $25 billion in urgently needed emergency rental assistance (ERA1) for tenants with low incomes and established the Emergency Rental Assistance program (ERA) administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury). The fund is designed to provide rent relief for renters experiencing financial hardship. She said the past few months have been hard. Eligible households can apply online or over the phone for first-time or additional program assistance. About the Texas Rent Relief Program Both landlords and tenants were able to use this website to create an account and submit their application. By clicking the plus sign by one of the listed programs, the page will expand and provide the full details of that program. Your rent and/or utility relief payments will be made directly to your landlord and utility companies. Member Newsletters (MEMBERS ONLY) Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine. Cherice Scotts landlord evicted her and her family in October, then cashed a check for rental assistance funds intended to keep them housed. Click here to search the TDHCA database. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. We strive to always do better, Tirloni said in an email. Lifestyle Subscribe to recieve Local Profile email updates every Monday and Thursday. Learn how Section 8 provides rental help Find housing services and information Texans can get housing assistance whether they live in rural or urban areas. Show us with your support. 0000015708 00000 n ?$.#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, When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. 0000098112 00000 n the service staff will examine your application and once it is approved you will be able to claim emergency rental . 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. You can even upload documents for an attorney to review. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. 0000047797 00000 n Yet they still pushed us out.. Lq]0BLaOy\s^ADJ| 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. No New Applications Accepted an apparent violation of the programs requirements for landlords, survey gauging how the end of a federal moratorium on evictions was affecting tenants. In her case, the check arrived in time but went to the wrong place. "The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant financial strain on many Texans, and the Texas Rent Relief Program will provide an incredible lifeline to households in need of assistance on their rent and utility payments," said Governor Abbott. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs also offers a website about this program. I hope everyone gets the assistance that they need. 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. 0000005047 00000 n 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. 0000001407 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 state is using the more than $1 billion in money from the latest federal COVID-19. 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. Top Listings 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. Many people, especially women, have been unable to work because of child care responsibilities. 0000017510 00000 n In these cases, payments will be made directly to the tenant, who then is required to pay the landlord. You will get a 30-minute legal consultation with information, advice, and resources. 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. I think any landlord that accepted money or got money directly for rent absolutely should not have evicted anyone, Garcia said. Check status periodically. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. When you click on the link for the first time, you will need to be prepared with a valid email address. 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. To apply for residency, you may contact the onsite leasing staff for the development you wish to apply for or contact your local housing authority for assistance. In a phone interview, Musselman declined to say why he ruled in favor of Gates landlord. Neighborhood Centers Inc: 713-665-3600. 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. Eligibility: For anyone who currently rents in the United States and resides in any of the properties Esusu works with. It got off to a rocky start when it signed up just a few hundred people in the first few months. Show us with your support. Johnsons lawyer recorded the call. TDHCA is using the funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). Legislative Updates (MEMBERS ONLY) Disclosure: The Texas Apartment Association has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. 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. It hurts, that really hurts. Of the roughly 200 that have completed applications, only two have been approved for funding. I am being evicted for not paying rent. the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in Texas. Were adding added significant resources to attack the backlog and get the money out the door. Information in this guide is subject to change at any time. The statewide TEDP is funded through a set-aside of the Texas Rent Relief Program (texasrentrelief.com), which launched February 15, 2021, stopped accepting new applications for rental assistance as of November 5, 2021, and committed 99% of all total funds by January 13, 2022. 0000000016 00000 n Its unclear whether landlords face any penalties from state agencies for improperly evicting tenants while receiving rent relief dollars intended to help those tenants stay housed during the COVID-19 pandemic. by Christopher Connelly, KERA News You can login to the site as a landlord or as a tenant. 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. Release of information or other details will be required under some circumstances. A switch to a new software caused system outages and forced applicants to reapply. 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. Shes focused on finding a new place for her and her seven children to live. 0000003417 00000 n :>W:lfD;)SHK(r$Iy2lj\*vj-Wf8+GfJs &Xsua9fqsJYKk~(FbD*fwG[VEiG]e29^Qv($6,9arts1y$ GS?u(-4Wc-J(,_@&U Alexander Stamm, an attorney with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid who is representing Gates, said Musselman shouldnt have let the trial take place at all because of a Texas Supreme Court order requiring judges to postpone eviction cases if a landlord confirms they have joined a tenants application for rent relief. In each expanded section, there are . Weve had to handhold our residents through these various processes, obtaining the correct documentation, helping them with scanning, Mattingly was told by one landlord. Best of luck to you and anyone needing this assistance. 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. At the federal level, that job falls to the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Inspector General. Find the program in your area by state , territory, or tribe and apply for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA). 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. 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. If you are concerned that a community is not in compliance, please contact the TDHCA at 512-475-3800. Stamm alleges that RDRH Holdings violated six requirements set out by the program in a contract landlords must sign in order to receive funds. 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. 0000014023 00000 n Northwest Assistance Ministries: 281-583-5600. Landlords and tenants are particularly put on notice that 18 U.S.C. Also, the application status in the Neighborly system will be updated when the payment has been made. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. 1 0 obj Those most affected by the pandemic and its economic devastation low-wage workers, Black and Latino Texans, and rural communities are also the least likely to have internet at home. hb``b``yX01 $J|*]gw"sq7X>6>^`hD"0Q{in00 Y? ` q endstream endobj 5 0 obj <> endobj 6 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 792.0 612.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 7 0 obj <> endobj 8 0 obj <> endobj 9 0 obj [/ICCBased 22 0 R] endobj 10 0 obj [/Separation/Red 9 0 R<>] endobj 11 0 obj <> endobj 12 0 obj <>stream 0000048118 00000 n TDHCA operates the state hotline where complaints originate. All Rights Reserved. 0000068016 00000 n Call to schedule an appointment with a legal representative. Ask us! 2023 Local Profile is a registered trademark of Community Profile LLC. Utilities, Clothing for Children, Employment assistance services. Community 0000010218 00000 n 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. Scott and her husband had fallen behind on rent in June after Scott stopped working to take care of her youngest daughter, who has Down syndrome, and the medical bills piled up. 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. Updated: 8 AM Central. Shes impressed by how many do persevere. The same day, her landlord told Johnson her lease wouldnt be renewed when it expired the following week, she said. This Plano family got evicted after the Texas Rent Relief program paid the wrong landlord. Texas Rent Relief Program has $96M remaining to help Texans affected by the pandemic. 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. Latest You can also get financial assistance for rent, food, and other expenses by turning to other organizations. 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. Visit the TDHCA contact us page for information. 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. Johnsons trying not to dwell on the saga. Sharing of Certifications: As outlined in the Tenant and Landlord certifications, the program may share a copy of the tenant, landlord, or utility provider certification with the tenant applicant, a user approved by the tenant, or an associated landlord or utility provider, as well as counsel for any of these parties. The reallocation process only applies to duplicate payments between our program and Texas Rent Relief. trailer <]/Prev 155979>> startxref 0 %%EOF 48 0 obj <>stream But housing advocates and lawyers who represent tenants facing eviction say they routinely see cases of Texas landlords accepting thousands of dollars from the government and evicting the tenants the money was intended to help. This time period has been shortened based on direction from the Department of Treasury. Applications can be also made . 2 0 obj 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. The Texas Rent Relief Program provides emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). TDHCA has taken very seriously the responsibility of helping Texas renters and landlords overcome the financial burden brought on by the pandemic, Tirloni said. For the past year, housing advocates have been pointing to the slow-rolling housing crisis brought on by the pandemic. But Musselman expressed sympathy for the landlord, noting that they had gone 11 months without rent from Gates. Members in the News (MEMBERS ONLY) Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter? The report was released less than a week after the Supreme Court of Texas let lapse a set of rules for how courts in the state enforce a federal eviction ban, which the Biden administration extended through into the summer. 30j($>H&L&Q.]Ky,YIR _I@*v+ Avenue 360 (formerly Bearing Omega and Houston Area Community Services) Web. TXHAF is administered by TDHCA with funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Calls to Musemeche were not returned. Larry Berman New Keynote Speaker For Vietnam War Conference Banquet. In those cases, the check was initially sent to the wrong property and only arrived after the tenant was kicked out. This guide is updated to reflect information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the software glitches, they were asked to resubmit their applications. 0000025788 00000 n The property manager quickly confirmed that they had and Jasso tossed the eviction. In February, Texas launched a program to help people who had missed rent payments because of the pandemic. Mattingly also heads the Dallas Apartment Association, which represents landlords. [n6[_.7jSz 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. Click Here For Information about Accepting Payments. Founded in 1997, the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP) is a non-profit trade association serving as the primary advocate and leading resource for the affordable housing industry in Texas.