Texas Rent Relief Program Closes Application Portal Due to High Demand
The Texas Rent Relief Program has closed its application portal earlier than expected due to an overwhelming amount of submissions.
The program, which provides rental assistance to tenants and landlords affected by the pandemic, received a flood of requests within the first 24 hours of reopening, far exceeding the available funding of $96 million.
Donna Carney, the litigation director at Lone Star Legal Aid, stated that the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) will do its best to process the applications as quickly as possible.
However, with nationwide demand for rental assistance exceeding available funds, it may take up to three weeks for applicants to receive a response.
For those who missed the application deadline, Carney recommends applying for the Houston Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance program through a partner organization like Lone Star Legal Aid.
This program does not have a public portal and requires a two-week turnaround for applications.
While there is a limited $4 million in available funds, Carney encourages those in need to reach out for assistance.
The overwhelming response to the Texas Rent Relief Program highlights the continuing need for social services and rental assistance in the face of the ongoing pandemic.
