The $9.2 million program is funded through Travis County’s general fund and the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, a provision of the federal American Rescue Plan Act, according to a release from the county.
Applications will be accepted from March 1-Sept. 30 or until all available funds are dispersed, according to the release.
The application window for the rent and mortgage assistance program opens the same day as eviction protections prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic expire. Under an order issued Dec. 29 by Judge Nick Chu, Travis County justice of the peace for Precinct 5, eviction trials were required to be paused for 30 days to allow the renter time to seek out assistance, contact an attorney and negotiate a settlement.
“Travis County recognizes there is still a great need for rental assistance,” said Pilar Sanchez, county executive for health and human services, in the release. “This program will help families remain in their homes and ease some financial burden as they continue to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and housing affordability issues.”
To be eligible for the rent and mortgage assistance program, applicants must live in Travis County and have a household income less than 250% of the federal poverty income guidelines, according to the county.
If approved, payments will be made directly to the landlord or mortgage company and will not exceed the average rent rates in Austin, which range from $1,334 for an efficiency to $2,795 for four or more bedrooms, the county said in the release.
Travis County previously halted applications to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program on Dec. 5. Under that program, the county provided more than $18 million in rental assistance to 4,382 households, according to the release.
Residents can apply online at www.traviscountytx.gov/apply or pick up a paper application at a Travis County Community Center.
