Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution approving additional funding from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to participate in the Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Texas Eviction Diversion Program.
Summary
DATE: June 15, 20201
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
VIA: Danielle N. Singh, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Leslie Hinkle, Executive Director of Community Development
SUBJECT: Additional Funding for Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Texas Eviction Diversion Program from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has made $40 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) CARES Act funds available to entitlement communities in the state of Texas who have existing COVID19 rental assistance programs and have indicated an interest to participate in the Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program (TERAP).
In February 2021, the City Council approved and the City’s Community Development Grants Division was awarded $239,332.33 in funding and has expended all the funding by assisting 53 households with six (6) months of rental assistance. TDHCA reached back out to the City to gauge if the City could continue with the program, if offered more funding. The additional funding being offered is $304,800. The goal of the program is to help stabilize low- and moderate-income Texas renters impacted by COVID19 through the provision of up to six months of rental assistance.
TERAP provides rental assistance to income eligible households impacted by COVID19 to help them stay housed during the pandemic. Eligible households must have incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). The program can pay up to six months of an eligible household's rent, including rent in arrears, with at least one of those months covering a month of future rent or for rental payments going forward, for up to a total of six months. ...
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