Starting in March, application for the Texas Rent Relief Program will begin as the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to cut the emergency benefits provided to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Texas rent relief program application reopens. (Photo: Click2Houston)
Texas Rent Relief Program
This will add more pressure on families who are already struggling with rising rents and inflation. However, there is some relief for Texans who are facing eviction due to unpaid rent, according to a recently published article in the Local Profile.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has reopened the Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) with $96 million in rent relief funds still available. 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.
The program has provided over $2 billion in emergency funds since its launch, helping more than 310,000 Texas families remain stably housed during 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.
Depending on eligibility and needs, this could include past-due payments or a combination of past-due and up to three months of current and future payments. Applicants who have received help from the Texas rent relief program before but have not received the maximum 18 months of assistance allowed can also submit an additional funding request using their existing online user account.
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Applications for the Texas Rent Relief Program
All applications will be processed in the order they are received, prioritizing households facing evictions. TDHCA Executive Director Bobby Wilkinson advises those applying to gather all necessary paperwork ahead of time to have them ready by March 14, 2023, when applications will open. Once the application is submitted, applicants need to remain alert for emails or calls from TDHCA’s representatives, who may request additional information.
While applications can be made online through the program’s portal, the TDHCA call center at (833) 9TX-RENT (833-989-7368) will also be available to submit applications over the phone, KHOU 11 reports.
The pandemic has created significant economic challenges for families across Texas, with many struggling to pay for housing and basic necessities.
The TRR program provides critical support to those facing eviction and helps ensure families can remain in their homes during these difficult times. As the TRR program reopens for a limited time, Texans who are facing financial difficulties are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to access emergency rental assistance.
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