The overview
The city of Austin Housing Department announced the reopening of the IBIA program Oct. 30. The program will prioritize applicants that are 50% or below the area median income. The area median family income is $126,000 for a four-person household, according to city documents.
The IBIA program will be overseen by El Buen Samaritano, a local organization focused on serving Latino and Spanish-speaking communities in Travis County and surrounding areas. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Texas Legal Services Center and Volunteer Legal Services will work with El Buen for eviction prevention support and emergency funds.
The background
The funding for IBIA comes shortly after Austin City Council approved the 2024-25 budget. The IBIA program will receive recurring funding to provide Austin residents with rental assistance every year. This is the first year a funding item was created to offer ongoing rental assistance, according to a news release.
“I’m excited that instead of debating it year after year, we have put that into the base budget,” District 4 council member José “Chito” Vela said at a council meeting Aug. 14.
IBIA was first established in 2023 in collaboration with El Buen. The program served around 1,7000 households, averaging $5,265 in financial assistance per household. This year, El Buen hopes to reach “as many households as possible,” the news release states.
The city previously funded other rental assistance programs, including an emergency program in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and a tenant relocation support program, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Quote of note
The IBIA program will help relieve rental expenses as residents face financial strain from other costs of living, El Buen CEO Rosamaria Murillo said in a news release.
“Every day we hear stories from families facing the unimaginable challenge of choosing between rent, food and medications,” she said. “The IBIA program recognizes the dignity of our community members by providing the resources needed to remain in safe and stable housing.”
Learn more
Applications for the IBIA assistance program open the first week of each month. The November deadline is Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. Those who have applied in the past will need to apply again. Applicants are chosen at random through a lottery system.
Applications can be submitted the following ways:
- Online at www.austintexas.gov/rent
- In person at El Buen Samaritano, 7000 Woodhue Drive, Austin
- By phone through the El Buen Samaritano Call Center at 737-214-7406
