Some Austin-area rent, utility assistance still available, but more needed, housing experts say

Sources of financial help for rent and utilities in Central Texas have been strained as the coronavirus enters its third year, but one nonprofit recently widened its use of several millions of dollars to include the Austin area, making the money some of the last available for struggling renters.

The money could give thousands facing eviction or utility cutoffs a chance to catch up with late payments, just as moratoriums for evictions and grace periods for utility payments have expired.

According to housing advocacy group Texas Housers, at least 500 Central Texas residents were facing eviction as of November — a number that researchers expect to increase.

Many renters were safe from eviction when moratoriums were imposed in March 2020 to ease the hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic when businesses and restaurants closed and laid off workers.

More: Hays County loses nearly $800,000 in rental relief it failed to distribute to strapped tenants

A Travis County justice of the peace in December extended for the 18th time eviction protections for renters through March 1, allowing them more time to seek assistance as the COVID-19 pandemic rages.

But many surrounding counites have not extended those moratoriums, and rent and utility assistance has been exhausted, leaving thousands of renters with limited options for help.

For the San Antonio-based nonprofit Endeavors, the group plans to step in to help residents get into more stable housing situations.

"This really fills a gap and a clear need," said Ben Martin, senior researcher for Texas Housers. "We are seeing evictions rise, especially in jurisdictions that have run out of rent relief."

Last March, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Development awarded Endeavours $14.6 million in Emergency Solutions Grants through the federal CARES Act to prevent Texans from becoming homeless. About $12.6 million was dedicated to rent and utility assistance across 96 counties with another $2 million dedicated to helping clients find more permanent housing.

The allocation is an additional coronavirus pandemic fund that can be used to mitigate homelessness and create housing stability.

Annie Erickson, a senior director at Endeavours who focuses on veteran and community services, said that not only will the money help cover rent and utilities, but case managers will work one-on-one with clients on a plan for more permanent housing.

“Everyone’s needs are different and so our program has individualized attention, which we believe is a key component,” Erickson said. “Case managers individualize housing stability plans and work with clients step-by-step to be housed permanently. So, we are not just throwing money at the problem but identifying a long-term solution.”

More: With rental assistance funds largely spent, Austin-area advocates say more help needed

But Endeavours is one of the last options for residents looking for assistance, and housing experts say more needs to be done to help those still in need.

"As moratoriums are lifted and rent relief is running out, eviction numbers are trickling back upward," Martin said. "When you look back at the start of the pandemic, (policy makers) were intentionally keeping low-income families in their homes by putting protections in place that prevented eviction. What we are seeing now is that need for assistance is just as needed now as they were then."

In December, the statewide Texas Rent Relief Program closed its portal and stopped accepting applications after it exhausted its money, having distributed more than $1.9 billion to more than 307,000 Texas Households.

Travis County and Austin also closed its portals in December after it depleted its money. According to the Eviction Solidarity Dashboard, more than 2,700 evictions have been filed after March 13, 2020, as the pandemic spread in Central Texas.

In Hays County, where more than 300 residents face eviction, at least $5 million is still available, but the painfully slow distribution process has left many in limbo, and some have become homeless before funds could be disbursed to them.

San Marcos provided rent and utility relief through CARES Act money with the help of San Marcos-based nonprofit Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, distributing $610,495 for rent relief, $16,602 for mortgage assistance and $16,780 for utility payments, but that funding has also been drained.

More: Red tape hinders rent assistance for Hays County residents facing eviction, advocates say

Williamson County used a portion of $8 million in CARES Act funds to run its own rental assistance program, partnering with four nonprofits in the county to pay out about $5.6 million to 4,923 households, according to the county.

"Through the fall we have seen many successful rent relief programs start to run out of money, but there are still many programs including Hays County that still do have funds and need to work as fast as possible before those funds are recaptured by Treasury and reallocated to other places," Martin said.

Endeavours will administer its Community Housing Assistance Program in Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. The program provides emergency rental and utility assistance to households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who are at or below 50% of the Area Median Income.

For the five-county Austin metro area, the 50% threshold for a four-person household would be $49,450, according to income limits established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program pays up to a year of assistance with six months of assistance for back payments.

"Don’t hesitate to apply or reach out," Erickson said. "We understand this is a stressful time and many people are traumatized by their situation. But, don’t feel embarrassed and ashamed because this program and money is there to help you."

Residents can view eligibility requirements for the Endeavours program and can apply online, or call 833-860-3003 for more info.

Hays County also continues to accept applications for its Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Rent assistance still available, but more needed, housing experts say