texas rent relief approved payment in process

Texas Rent Relief gave me a second (or duplicate) payment for a tenant's month of rent. SACRAMENTO - California's COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is reaching a significant milestone today - by the end of the day, more than $1 billion in funding will be obligated - meaning the money has either been paid or approved for payment and awaiting disbursement - and will assist over 74,000 additional households. This Plano family got evicted after the Texas Rent Relief program paid the wrong landlord. your Phone number -Specify Landlord or tenant rental assistance. #4'x= 3r8 #TH(fY'O3 }~\N |iz$&dr_~azLN~u($~^ K H!K @gq4. 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. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. We believe owners have done their best to try to understand the intricacies of the program and comply with its requirements, Mintz said. For more information on returning a payment, email [email protected]. <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 12 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 792 612] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 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 Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has received approximately $1.3 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the newly passed Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program. Applications can be also made . It takes away your pride and makes me feel like I failed as a parent. Mailbag: Evermore. Wilkinson told the House Committee on Urban Affairs that a few hundred more people had had payments sent to them over the past week, and that two additional contractors and hundreds of new analysts were being added to work through the backlog of applications. Eviction Intervention Program For Renters If you live within Harris County or Houston city limits and your landlord has already taken you to court for eviction, you may be eligible for eviction intervention rental assistance through the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. A spokesperson did not respond to the request for comment. The property manager quickly confirmed that they had and Jasso tossed the eviction. Landlord Application Information. This interactive map and searchable database from the National Low Income Housing Coalition can be used to find state and local emergency rental assistance programs near you. Tirloni said the agency doesnt track what portion of those clawed-back funds came from landlords found to have improperly evicted their tenants after receiving assistance or categorize what scenarios would result in recapturing the money. Women In Business. Applications will be processed in the order received, prioritizing those facing evictions. 0000030230 00000 n In our view, the judge made a mistake letting the trial proceed as soon as [the property manager] confirmed that the owner had a pending application for rental assistance, Stamm said in an email. Member Editorials (MEMBERS ONLY) x]s6(4A y;4N}PmT\INvB/$( We've provided over $2B in emergency funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). 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. 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. 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. 0000078063 00000 n But she still hasnt found a place to live. 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. 0000003417 00000 n 0000025788 00000 n Texans shouldnt have to overcome so many bureaucratic and technological challenges just to get help that Congress already funded, Rosales said. 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. P.O. Texas has nearly $692 million available through its statewide rent relief program. TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds. 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. A portion of the funds have been set-aside specifically for households whose landlords have already sued for eviction in their local court. 0000032455 00000 n 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. This news article describes the phasing out of a program designed to halt utility shut-offs that was implemented in March. Food + Drink 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. 4 0 obj <> endobj xref stream Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. At the federal level, that job falls to the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Inspector General. 0000020158 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. 0000002829 00000 n QAP Alerts (MEMBERS ONLY) The public is also invited to share such concerns. Johnsons lawyer recorded the call. Are you looking for rent assistance resources, help with utility bills or reduced rent apartments? 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. Neighborhood Centers Inc: 713-665-3600. 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. endobj *Must make an appointment. A free legal hotline available to South Texas residents. 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. For example, the program bars landlords from accepting rent relief payments after they evict a tenant. In these cases, payments will be made directly to the tenant, who then is required to pay the landlord. The Apartment Association of Greater Dallas has compiled a list of state and local rental assistance programs. We are learning more about why there are delays in the. 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. That happens even when tenants win their eviction cases in court. 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. This news article provides an overview of the Texas Public Utilities Commission's recent order and how it will affect customers in Texas. How are we doing? Prior to any payment being made to a tenant directly, TRR will make three attempts to request that the landlord participates in the program via email, phone, or text, over no less than a 5 calendar-day period. endobj But the tenants are still the ones holding the bag.. The Texas Rent Relief (TRR) program provides Texas tenants with financial help with rent and utility bills. 0000001196 00000 n Many landlords have tried to work with their tenants to try to avoid evictions for back rent during the pandemic, said David Mintz, vice president of government affairs for Texas Apartment Association, a trade group of rental property owners. 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. 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. Anticipated time to receive payment: 7-14 days Request for assistance has been denied. Northwest Assistance Ministries: 281-583-5600. 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. Click here to search the TDHCA database. 0000005047 00000 n Maybe the money will be returned to Treasury and the wrong will be righted for the government, Ordua said. 2023 Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers. 2021 Program Information. Since the program launched in February 2021, TRR has provided over $2 billion in emergency funds for rent and utility relief, served 250 Texas counties and prevented evictions for over 21,000 households. This tool helps find state and local rent and utility assistance near your location. 1001 provides, among other things, that whoever knowingly and willingly makes or uses a document or writing containing any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States will be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. Landlord associated with the application will receive an email notification of . Eligible households can apply for assistance online at TexasRentRelief.com or over the phone by calling the TRR call center at 833-9TX-RENT (833-989-7368). 30j($>H&L&Q.]Ky,YIR _I@*v+ The idea of landlords taking rent relief dollars and still evicting tenants is outrageous, she said, and could warrant investigation. 0000088072 00000 n To qualify for rental assistance from the Texas program, tenants had to fall below a certain income level, prove they experienced some kind of financial hardship during the pandemic and make the case that they would be at risk of losing their home if they didnt receive rent relief. The landlord participates in the tenant's application for rent relief, or 3. <>/Metadata 393 0 R/ViewerPreferences 394 0 R>> 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. 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. Stamm alleges that RDRH Holdings violated six requirements set out by the program in a contract landlords must sign in order to receive funds. 0000026104 00000 n The program will also have a call . 0000024288 00000 n During the hearing, lawmakers pressed Wilkinson on a number of issues. The program was originally launched in February 2021 and is administered by the . Two months later, Scott received an email acknowledging her complaint but said she hasnt heard back since. In February, Texas launched a program to help people who had missed rent payments because of the pandemic. It's embarrassing, Scott said. Show us with your support. 0000002022 00000 n % Do you value our journalism? In order to collect this late fee, the landlord must have included notice of it in a written lease. Payment cannot be released until 90 days after the initial disbursement date; however, be advised that review and approval timelines will often exceed 90 days from the last disbursement. Ask us! 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. :>W:lfD;)SHK(r$Iy2lj\*vj-Wf8+GfJs &Xsua9fqsJYKk~(FbD*fwG[VEiG]e29^Qv($6,9arts1y$ GS?u(-4Wc-J(,_@&U The program has emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). 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. Departments Emergency Rental Assistance Program. 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=>` Johnsons trying not to dwell on the saga. Texas Rent Relief Program A scathing staff report from the Texas House Urban Affairs Committee released Monday details a host of issues that have plagued the more than $1 billion rent relief program. Documentation of Lease: Tenants who are requesting AFR to pay for rent at a new unit must provide a copy of their new lease. Even if the rent relief check was in hand, it wouldnt have covered the amount sought by the landlord, Musselman said. 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. Landlords can get up to 15 months of rent paid through this program, but only if they don't evict. Recent updates February 2023. 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. . Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST Help is available in multiple languages. In late March she started a new job teaching at an early learning center. Subscribe to recieve Local Profile email updates every Monday and Thursday. 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. Weve been expecting there to be aid [for renters] for months and months so there should have been a plan in place.. TDHCA has provided the following updates regarding the program: ADDITIONAL FUNDING REQUESTS (AFR) INFORMATION. According to the report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications, just over 1,000 have had their applications approved. 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. 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. 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.. Visit TexasRentRelief.com for more program highlights. 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. Your rent and/or utility relief payments will be made directly to your landlord and utility companies. It is kind of a miracle that they are able to do it.. 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. Let the judge know if any of these things have happened. Of the roughly 200 that have completed applications, only two have been approved for funding. Sign up here. To a question about whether the application website is mobile-friendly, he replied, its mobile-compatible. In each expanded section, there are . 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). 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). 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. Even now, despite our challenges, were ahead of most states in processing applications and making payments, Wilkinson testified, comparing Texas to other large states like California and Florida. Mar 1, 2023. events. 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. 0000017510 00000 n 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. Other organizations That help paying rent in Houston. Copyright by the Texas State Law Library. 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. Utilities, Clothing for Children, Employment assistance services. Shes impressed by how many do persevere. Here we are at the beginning of April and still only about 200 Texas families have actually received direct help from this billion dollar program, which is unacceptable, and we need to continue to get this worked out quickly, committee chair state Rep. Philip Cortez, a San Antonio Democrat, told Texas Public Radio. The Housing Assistance Program (HAP)* provides financial assistance to renters experiencing emergency hardships from COVID-19 and to keep families in their homes. Evaluating the. Effectiveness of. 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. We cant wait to welcome you in person and online to the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, our multiday celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the days news all taking place just steps away from the Texas Capitol from Sept. 22-24. In late January 2023, Local Profile reported that starting this March, the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to cut SNAPs COVID-19 emergency benefits, adding even more pressure on families who are struggling with rising rents and inflation pushing up prices. Once the application is submitted, applicants need to remain alert for emails or calls from TDHCAs representatives who could ask for additional information. 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. 2n -.-&) 1 1 The state of Texas has more than one billion dollars to give out to people who need help paying their bills. For the past year, housing advocates have been pointing to the slow-rolling housing crisis brought on by the pandemic. Some areas still ban evictions outright. 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. Appeals must be submitted within 30 days. April 7, 20215 PM Central. What is clear is that a lot of Texans could use the help of the Texas Rent Relief program. Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Section 8 housing voucher Low-income residents may be eligible to get help paying rent. KPRC 2 Investigates has received dozens of complaints from people all . Since their October eviction from their Katy apartment, Scott and her four children have lived in hotels and other temporary settings. 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. All rights reserved. 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. an apparent violation of the programs requirements for landlords, survey gauging how the end of a federal moratorium on evictions was affecting tenants. The state is using the more than $1 billion in money from the latest federal COVID-19. All TDHCA employees and contractor employees have a responsibility to report waste, fraud and abuse within the agency. 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. <> Were adding added significant resources to attack the backlog and get the money out the door. 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. Texas closed the rent relief program to new applicants in November, citing overwhelming demand for rental assistance dollars. 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. 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.. 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. On Jan. 27, Williamson County constables came to execute the eviction. After the software glitches, they were asked to resubmit their applications. 0000068016 00000 n News from Members (MEMBERS ONLY) 0000002863 00000 n 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. 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. 4 45 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. To help with emergency housing needs, HAP has two components: rental assistance and relocation assistance for qualified households facing housing instability. The details for each program are available below. I hope everyone gets the assistance that they need. 0000009860 00000 n Funds may not still be available by the time a household applies. The State Auditors Office declined to say whether it has launched any investigations into potential fraud, waste and abuse of the program. Applicants must still provide all other required program documentation and must provide evidence of the notice of utility disconnection. Attempts to reach the property owner RDRH Holdings Inc., an Austin-based corporation and its president were unsuccessful. from 8 AM - 9 PM ET. You can even upload documents for an attorney to review. Even if the programs software and staffing struggles have been addressed, Rosales still worries that the programs reliance on online applications will leave eligible renters unable to apply. 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. According to the National Housing Law Project, 86% of the 119 lawyers across the country who responded to a survey gauging how the end of a federal moratorium on evictions was affecting tenants said they had seen cases where landlords either declined to apply for assistance from rent relief programs or took the money and proceeded to kick out their tenants.