Hays County Commissioners Court recently approved the implementation of a COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA). This program may help with rental, utility and late fee assistance for applicants who have had difficulty paying rent or utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic and who meet the program criteria. The funds will come from a federal grant.
“We know people in our community are still dealing with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Wesley Matthews, the ERA Program Administrator. “This new Emergency Rental Assistance program may help keep people from being evicted or having critical services turned off if they are facing challenges with respect to paying their rent or utilities.”
Beginning July 12, 2021, landlords and tenants can register and receive a receipt of their registration, which can be used to show a Hays County court proof of application if eviction proceedings are already in progress. Landlords should contact the County’s ERA Program for tenant flyers and encourage tenants with arrears rent (past due) to apply. If approved, payments from the program grant are made directly to the landlord.
Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of rent and or utility assistance (accrued after March 13, 2020). After an initial one to three months of provided support, households may reapply for additional assistance (in three-month increments, not to exceed a total of 12 months).
Applicants having income at or below 50 percent of the area median ($98,900) OR households with one or more individuals that have been unemployed for at least a 90-day period preceding the date of application will be prioritized for the first twenty-one (21) days of the program per policy. The Hays County ERA program start date is July 12, 2021.
