With 65% of its funding left sitting idle, Travis County is scrambling to allocate the millions of dollars that still remain as part of the federal government’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program, or ERAP. The county was initially awarded $10.7-million. Just over $1.3-million has already been spent, with an additional $1.18-million obligated to other needs. That leaves the county with nearly $4.5-million left to allocate prior to the September 30 deadline.
Any money not used by the deadline must be returned to the federal government.
“I think focusing on September 30 is frankly not the deadline anymore,” County Judge Brown said. “I’m interested in making a motion to transferring some amount, maybe up to $2 million, to the city, so that their contractor, who has been getting it out very quickly, can do it more quickly.”
The Austin City Council on Thursday will consider that proposal.
Another idea still under consideration is one that would offer more payments to landlords who are faced with a large number of tenants owing back rent.
