County moves forward with Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Sierra Martin | Managing Editor

The Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously approved to move forward with the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program during their Tuesday meeting, supporting a Request For Proposal for administrative services to help manage the program.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program will provide aid to eligible households negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Treasury made $25 billion available to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the pandemic. The funds are provided directly to state and local governments to be distributed to eligible households.

According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, an eligible household is defined as a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:

• Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
• Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
• Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median.

Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three months if the grantee determines the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability. More information about the rent relief program can be found here.