HAYS COUNTY, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- Hays County residents who have had difficulty paying rent or utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have access to a new relief program beginning Monday.
Hays County Commissioners recently approved a COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA), with funds coming from a federal grant. The program will help with rent, utility, and late fees for applicants facing financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic.
"We know people in our community are still dealing with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," said program administrator Wesley Matthews. "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 Monday, landlords and tenants can register for the program. Landlords across the county are encouraged to share the program with their tenants, and encourage those with past due rent to apply. Payments from the program are made directly to the landlord.
Applicants who have income at or below 50 percent of the area median income ($98,900) or households with one or more individuals who have been unemployed for at least 90 days before their date of application will be prioritized for the first 21 days of the program. After that, applicants who are facing immediate eviction will be prioritized, followed by others that meet income eligibility requirements on a first come, first serve basis.
The program will offer up to 12 months of rent and utility payments to those who qualify. The assistance will be paid out in increments of up to three months, up to a maximum of 12 months.
More information on the program is available online at the Hays County website.