TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GENE WU
STATE REPRESENTATIVE· DISTRICT 137
Dear Friend,
As of this week, the Texas Rent Relief Program has been launched by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Due to the Coronavirus Relief Bill passed by Congress last December, there is $1.3 billion available in emergency rental assistance for qualifying households.
Who Can Qualify?
To qualify, households must be at or below 80% of the area median income as well as meet other criteria outlined on the website. Landlords are encouraged to apply on behalf of tenants, who must co-sign the application.
Priority Applications
TDHCA will give priority to applications received between February 15 and 28 from the following groups:
- Eligible households at or below 50% of the area median income level or
- Eligible households where one or more members are currently unemployed and have been for at least 90 days.
The TDHCA will begin accepting applications from both landlords and tenants beginning February 15, 2021 at 8:00 am (Central Time). You can apply online at TexasRentRelief.com or by calling 833-989-7368. There is more information available on the website in both English and Spanish.
There is also a county rental assistance program available for apartment owners and residents within Harris County. This program can provide up to six months of rental assistance, paid directly to the landlord. The Harris County Rental Assistance Program is currently open for applications.
For more information, consider joining the following webinars:
The Texas Apartment Association, free webinar for TAA members on Tuesday, February 16, at 10:00 a.m. Register here (requires TAA login).
The Houston Apartment Association, webinar on Tuesday, February 16 at 1:00 p.m. with program experts from Houston, Harris County, and BakerRipley. Register here.
Sincerely,
Gene Wu
State Representative
