$9.2 Million Available for Housing Assistance
On March 8, 2022, the Travis County Health and Human Services (HHS) Department announced it’ll pause accepting new applications soon due to the rate of applications being received and the availability of funding. The pause will happen once HHS receives 4,500 rent and mortgage assistance applications. For more information
(Travis County, TX) – Beginning Tuesday, March 1, 2022, eligible Travis County residents can apply to receive rent or mortgage assistance from Travis County. The $9,155,552 program is funded through Travis County’s general fund and the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (LFRF) provided under the American Rescue Plan Act. Renters struggling with their monthly payments, as well as homeowners struggling with mortgage payments, can apply.
To be eligible for assistance, applicants must live in Travis County, and the household income must not exceed 250% of income levels outlined by the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines per household size.
Applications will be accepted March 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022, or until all available funds are disbursed.
“Travis County recognizes there is still a great need for rental assistance. We remain committed to prioritizing and serving our most vulnerable communities,” said Pilar Sanchez, County Executive for Health and Human Services. “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.”
Families in need of assistance can apply online (www.traviscountytx.gov/apply) or request a paper application from a Travis County Community Center.
Applicants must include the following items in their application:
- Photo ID
- Proof of household income for past 30 days for all members of the household
- Current lease or mortgage statement
- Landlord or mortgage lender’s signature on a form provided by the Travis County Health and Human Services Department
If approved, payments will be made directly to the landlord or the mortgage company. Travis County will help with up to three months’ rent or mortgage. Assistance will not exceed what is owed or due within 30 days, and each month’s payment will not exceed average Austin rents as of January 1, 2022:
- Efficiency: $1,334
- One bedroom: $1,500
- Two bedrooms: $1,900
- Three bedrooms: $2,395
- Four or more bedrooms: $2,795
Travis County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which ran from April 2021 to beginning of February 2022 using federal funds, provided more than $18,412,355 in rental assistance to 4,382 households.
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