Travis County opens application for rent and mortgage relief program as eviction protections expire

Travis County residents can apply for assistance with up to three months’ rent or mortgage payments under a new program the county launched March 1.

The $9.2 million program is being funded by the Travis County general fund and the local Fiscal Stimulus Fund, a provision of the US federal bailout law, according to a county statement.

Applications will be accepted from March 1 to September 1. 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 eviction protections caused 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 to be stayed for 30 days to give the tenant time to seek relief. help, contact a lawyer and negotiate a settlement.

“Travis County recognizes that there continues to be a great need for rental assistance,” Pilar Sanchez, county health and human services officer, said in the statement. “This program will help families stay in their homes and ease some financial burden as they continue to deal with the effects 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 below 250% of the federal poverty income guidelines, depending on the county.

If approved, payments will be made directly to the landlord or mortgage company and will not exceed average rent rates in Austin, which range from $1,334 for efficiency to $2,795 for four or more bedrooms. , the county said in the statement.

Travis County previously halted applications for its Emergency Housing Assistance Program on Dec. 5. Under the program, the county provided more than $18 million in housing 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.