SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Rent Relief Program is closing its portal for applications after being swarmed with requests just 24 hours into its launch.
According to The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the program has $98 million available to help people with rent and utility bills. It began accepting applications on Tuesday, March 14, and initially, applications were going to be accepted through March 28.
Now, the deadline to apply has been set for 11:59 a.m. Thursday, March 16.
Within the first 24 hours of opening, the requests for rent assistance from the program “far exceeded” the available funding, according to its website, leading to the early deadline.
Those who have started the application process but have not yet finished are urged to upload all of their documents and submit their application before the deadline.
Applicants who are facing eviction will be prioritized if they have a valid eviction docket number, according to the program’s website.
If you were unable to apply on March 14 during the program’s launch, there is still time for you to try again.
“Once in the application, make sure to ‘save’ your progress often, and use the Tenant Checklist to ensure you submit a complete application with all required documentation,” the program’s website states.
Those who are applying for the program could be eligible for up to 18 months of rent and utility help, either with past due, current or future bills.
People who applied in the past and did not receive the full 18 months of assistance can submit an additional funding request in their user account.
Applications will be processed in the order they are received, according to the agency.
To apply or to ask for information, visit TexasRentRelief.com or call 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368).
For more information on legal assistance for those facing eviction, visit texaslawhelp.org or call 855-270-7655.
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