Fayette County Has Access To Rent Relief

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) will be accepting applications from landlords and tenants who have been affected by COVID-19. The state agency has received approximately $1.3 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the newly passed Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program.

TDHCA is using the funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). Qualified Texans can be eligible for up to three months of past due, current, and future rent costs and utility expenses. After the initial assistance, households can apply for up to three additional months of help if funds are still available. Costs can be dated as far back as March 3, 2020.

While the TDHCA’s Texas Rent Relief program website and phone systems are available for questions already, they will not be accepting applications until Monday, February 15th. To learn more and apply online, residents can visit TexasRentRelief.com. or call 833-9TX- RENT (833-989-7368).

Households must meet certain qualifications and have incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, with full details available on their website.

80% of Fayette County Area Median Incomes by household size are:

1: $40,550

2: $46,350

3: $52,150

4: $57,900

5:$62,550

6: $67,200

7: $71,800

8: $76,450

Locally, Combined Community Action (CCA) has been assisting Fayette County residents with an array of programs for many years. According to Kelly Franke, executive director of Combined Community Action, applications are taken year round for assistance to Fayette County residents for help with utility payments and home energy efficiency measures. “The Weatherization Assistance Program can help home owners and renters save on their utility bills with no cost to them, allowing them to cut energy usage and costs” says Franke, and that is just one of the programs for Fayette County.

While funding does change and vary, some of the programs available from CCA for qualified residents are Case Management, Utility Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Weatherization, and Meals on Wheels.

“There are income guidelines for each program but we always recommend residents visit our website or call to see if they qualify because while they may not meet the restrictions for one program, they may be eligible for a different one,” said Franke.

To learn more about local programs, go to www.ccation.com or call (979) 540-2980.