These changes go into effect on April 21st, 2021. To request this information, please contact us toll-free at 833-9TX-RENT (833-989-7368). 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. ?$.#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, Job Listings TRR is processing applications . 0000005047 00000 n 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. Utilities, Clothing for Children, Employment assistance services. 0000015708 00000 n Scott wanted to know: What happened to the rent relief money? It takes away your pride and makes me feel like I failed as a parent. 0000010218 00000 n All rights reserved. Tenants in New Units: Tenants who are living at a new address may request funds through the AFR process for the rent expenses of the new primary residence. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. The landlord participates in the tenant's application for rent relief, or 3. "To date, Texas Rent Relief has served . Funds may not still be available by the time a household applies. Member Newsletters (MEMBERS ONLY) 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. TXHAF provides eligible homeowners with . 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. That makes removing barriers to helping families catch up on the rent even more vital, Rosales said. Events / Networking Opportunities Advocacy Alerts 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. Lifestyle 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. Visit TexasRentRelief.com for more program highlights. You will be asked to create an account and then . Exactly how many people have fallen behind on rent over the past year is unclear. *Must make an appointment. Appeals must be submitted within 30 days. It got off to a rocky start when it signed up just a few hundred people in the first few months. P.O. 0000001407 00000 n Hope this timeline helps someone! There have been nearly 50,000 eviction filings in Houston since the beginning of the pandemic. 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. This news article provides an overview of the Texas Public Utilities Commission's recent order and how it will affect customers in Texas. Johnsons trying not to dwell on the saga. Do you value our journalism? 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. Mon: 8 to 5pm. 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. 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. Avenue 360 (formerly Bearing Omega and Houston Area Community Services) Web. The state has already launched a website for the program, where both landlords and tenants facing a pile of bills will be able to apply starting at 8 a.m. Monday. Interests KPRC 2 Investigates has received dozens of complaints from people all . 0000008211 00000 n What is clear is that a lot of Texans could use the help of the Texas Rent Relief program. rental assistance programs, totaling $46.55 billion. 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 operates the state hotline where complaints originate. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs also offers a website about this program. 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. 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. 0000025788 00000 n 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. 4 45 Texas Rent Relief approved help for me August 27th. Texas closed the rent relief program to new applicants in November, citing overwhelming demand for rental assistance dollars. The program was originally launched in February 2021 and is administered by the . Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. The Texas Homeowner Assistance Fund Program (TXHAF) provides financial assistance to qualified Texas homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage and related expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Latest 8. Our vision is to inspire and engage our members and stakeholders to end the affordable housing crisis in Texas. V o l . Things To Do We strive to always do better, Tirloni said in an email. A switch to a new software caused system outages and forced applicants to reapply. If tenants feel they have been unjustly evicted, they can appeal the eviction, Mintz said. 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. Home 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. I trusted them, Scott said. requested do not exceed the program limit of 15 months. 0000014023 00000 n 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. 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. 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. TAAHP Scholarships The money was considered crucial to prevent a wave of tenants losing their homes as eviction bans expired; in recent months, three Texas metro areas Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth have seen some of the highest eviction case filings in the country among the 31 cities tracked by Eviction Lab, a research center based at Princeton University that tracks eviction filings. Body: Case ID. 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! You cant get paid directly, and also break the promises you made that were designed to keep someone in their home.. Texas Housing Conference On Wednesday, the head of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs took questions from lawmakers about the troubled rollout of the program. 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. The details for each program are available below. 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. 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. Were adding added significant resources to attack the backlog and get the money out the door. 0000009428 00000 n Executive director Bobby Wilkinson said the early days of the program delivered a bad customer experience for people, but that the issues are being fixed. 0000098112 00000 n Information in this guide is subject to change at any time. 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. 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. If you have evidence, be sure to bring it to court. I hope everyone gets the assistance that they need. 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. View The Texas Eviction Diversion Program Highlights. You cant have it both ways with Texas Rent Relief, Stamm said. First-time applicants may be eligible for up to 18 months of aid with rent and utility bills. Request for assistance has been verified and approved. KERA also reached out to Gov. 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. 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. Landlord associated with the application will receive an email notification of . Applications in this set-aside will be processed first to decrease application processing time and increase the likelihood of evictions being diverted. by Christopher Connelly, KERA News Librarians at the State Law Library can provide information about the law, but cannot give legal advice. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. Also, the application status in the Neighborly system will be updated when the payment has been made. 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. If a landlord is not paid, the payment will be made directly to the tenant. "To date, Texas Rent Relief has served more than 316,000 households affected by the pandemic. We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine. 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.) 2n -.-&) 1 1 And only 250 of payments have been sent. cy,a`G|~OOsQ>gR-"F HT$uUD$>@he^? Mar 1, 2023. events. 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. The . 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 Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) created this COVID-19 relief program in February of 2021. Food + Drink 0000098050 00000 n If you owe unpaid rent or utilities, that amount will be paid in one lump sum within 10 business days of your final approval. 0000002022 00000 n 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. 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. 0000032455 00000 n This story has been updated to include comments from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. by Joshua Fechter After submitting, applicants should watch for communication from TRR in case additional information is needed for application. Arts + Culture Are you looking for rent assistance resources, help with utility bills or reduced rent apartments? [n6[_.7jSz And were also looking for ways to streamline, reduce documentation burdens, and well continue to adapt as needed, Wilkinson said. After weeks of phone calls, a Texas Rent Relief program staffer told Scott that her former landlord had indeed received the rent relief money in mid-November more than $11,000, enough to cover the six months back rent they owed. While hes cautiously optimistic that the Texas Rent Relief programs problems have largely been addressed, fundamental questions remain unanswered. your Phone number -Specify Landlord or tenant rental assistance. Last note, I was approved for 12 months back rent pay and 3 months forward, so I am receiving help for 15 months total. All Rights Reserved.. Plano Dentist Pleaded Guilty To COVID-19-Related Fraud, $22.8 Million Grant To Help Prevent Homelessness In Dallas And Collin Counties, North Texas Judge Blocks Student Loan Forgiveness, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Payment in Process Good news! Sign up here. No New Applications Accepted When the state sent the rent relief check to the wrong address, Scott said the staff assured her they were working to get the money re-sent. To apply for residency, you may contact the onsite leasing staff for the development you wish to apply for or contact your local housing authority for assistance. I think any landlord that accepted money or got money directly for rent absolutely should not have evicted anyone, Garcia said. #4'x= 3r8 #TH(fY'O3 }~\N |iz$&dr_~azLN~u($~^ K H!K @gq4. 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. These landlords are the prime beneficiary of these rental assistance programs and just en masse have been violating the provisions of the programs and on top of that consistently misleading judges and securing judgments and evictions, even when theyre receiving funds.. All those folks acted in good faith on something that we offered them, that theyre by definition entitled toand by some sort of error, theyre not getting the relief that they need, and then the state Supreme Court let its rules around the eviction moratorium lapse, Bernal said. Anticipated time to receive payment: 7-14 days Request for assistance has been denied. 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. You will get a 30-minute legal consultation with information, advice, and resources. Houston, TX 77258. 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. 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. 0000002471 00000 n If you need help paying rent in Katy, or other financial assistance, reach out to Katy Christian Ministries for more information on their programs. He took the car, which made it difficult for Scott to hunt for work and shelter. 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. For more information about fair housing, funding opportunities, or services in your area, please visitwww.tdhca.state.tx.usor theLearn about Fair Housing in Texaspage. 0000020271 00000 n The public is also invited to share such concerns. In order to collect this late fee, the landlord must have included notice of it in a written lease. She said she has spent thousands of dollars on application fees to at least 10 homes and apartment complexes and all of them have denied her because she now has an eviction on her record. Many people, especially women, have been unable to work because of child care responsibilities. TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. Call to schedule an appointment with a legal representative. Updated information and a lease for the new unit will be required in the AFR application. By clicking the plus sign by one of the listed programs, the page will expand and provide the full details of that program. The fund is designed to provide rent relief for renters experiencing financial hardship. 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. 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. 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. Governor Abbott and TDHCA launched the Texas Rent Relief program in February 2021 the first statewide rent and utility assistance program for qualifying households throughout Texas. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST Help is available in multiple languages. 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. Cities and counties that operate local rental assistance programs have $368 million. Wilkinson said hed be open to exploring more options to get that message out. ) Two landlords, like Scotts, evicted their tenants in the period between the initial rent relief application and when the government money arrived and then kept it an apparent violation of the programs requirements for landlords. The industry standard here is fraud, said Stuart Campbell, managing attorney at Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, speaking generally about instances in which landlords receive rent relief funds and evict tenants. As of Wednesday, the program has assisted more than 300,000 households. But receiving rent relief dollars wasnt guaranteed, so some landlords filed for eviction in case the money didnt come through and as a last resort after months of going without rent, Mintz said. How are we doing? Two months later, Scott received an email acknowledging her complaint but said she hasnt heard back since. Feb 27, 2023. We believe owners have done their best to try to understand the intricacies of the program and comply with its requirements, Mintz said. If you are concerned that a community is not in compliance, please contact the TDHCA at 512-475-3800. :>W:lfD;)SHK(r$Iy2lj\*vj-Wf8+GfJs &Xsua9fqsJYKk~(FbD*fwG[VEiG]e29^Qv($6,9arts1y$ GS?u(-4Wc-J(,_@&U And frankly, theyre tired.. I dont know if its greatbut youre supposed to be able to use it on your mobile device.. 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. Texas Rent Relief approved her for a little over $3,100 about three months worth of rent. Show us with your support. Housing experts say they expect expiration of the eviction rules will make the already spotty protections of the eviction moratorium even more unevenly applied. Some areas still ban evictions outright. In a phone interview, Musselman declined to say why he ruled in favor of Gates landlord. 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. Do you value our journalism? 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. In June, Gates said she lost her job after she missed a week of work because of a medical problem. 2 0 obj For example, the program bars landlords from accepting rent relief payments after they evict a tenant. Wilkinson said many people who tried to apply may need to go back and take extra steps to complete the application. the service staff will examine your application and once it is approved you will be able to claim emergency rental . 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. The landlord applies for rent relief, or 2. 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). Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day's latest updates. 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. Texas Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. 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. 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. Both the federal and state government added enforcement provisions when they created the rent relief programs. April 7, 20215 PM Central. 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. Larry Berman New Keynote Speaker For Vietnam War Conference Banquet. As of last week, $20.1 million in rent relief has been recaptured, TDHCA spokesperson Kristina Tirloni said, adding that not all of that was connected to allegations of fraud, waste or abuse. 30j($>H&L&Q.]Ky,YIR _I@*v+ But The Texas Tribune interviewed tenants from across the state who were approved for federal rental assistance and were evicted anyway. The reallocation process only applies to duplicate payments between our program and Texas Rent Relief. Rosales said shes heard landlords say at eviction court that they're already so frustrated and tired by the slow pace and confusing nature of rental assistance programs that theyd rather evict tenants than hold out for assistance. The Apartment Association of Greater Dallas has compiled a list of state and local rental assistance programs. The Texas Rent Relief Program will be run by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) created this COVID-19 relief program in February of 2021. 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). 0000020158 00000 n About the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. 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. Its peoples lives at stake here, because when evictions happen, their lives are torn apart. Expected time in this status: less than one week. In late March she started a new job teaching at an early learning center. If both payments came from our program, the duplicate payment must be returned. 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. Mar 1, 2023. events. As much as we work to mitigate human error, the potential for application errors exists. 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. 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. 0000001467 00000 n The landlord submits any information or documentation to receive payment as part of a rent relief program.