Eviction protection is set to expire at the end of the month, but a rent relief program still has millions available to help Hidalgo County residents struggling to pay rent.
About $26 million were authorized from the State of Texas for Hidalgo County residents in May. The Hidalgo County Community Service Agency began taking applications on May 17, but the majority of those funds remain untouched.
The agency received just 168 cases, Director Jaime Longoria said Tuesday. It’s set aside about $373,000, leaving the “lion’s share” still available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set an order halting evictions during the pandemic, but that’s set to expire on June 30.
Applications requesting rent relief can take days or weeks to process. Longoria urges residents to file quickly before the eviction moratorium is lifted.
Tenants and landlords can submit an application in person or online.
For those who are eligible, the rent relief program can cover three months of past due, current or future payments. After the first three months of forward assistance, residents can apply for three more months, depending on available funds.
In order to qualify, a resident must qualify for unemployment or must have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19.
They must also demonstrate a risk of falling into homelessness or housing instability, and have a combined income at or below 80% of the area median income.
If a resident is not sure whether they qualify, they are encouraged to call (833) 209-5023 to ask questions about the process.
On Friday, June 18, at 10 a.m. The Monitor will be hosting a Facebook Live interview with Longoria to address any questions about the process.
Certain documentation is required before applying, including:
>> Employment: Pay stub or self-certification
>> Unemployment, assistance, pension, SSI: Benefit letter/eligibility letter/check stubs
>> Receiving child support and alimony: Divorce decree/court order/paystub or deposited check
>> Past due utilities: Utility bill showing past due balances and number of months past due
>> Lease document/self-certification
>> Past due rent statement
>> Eviction notice
A social security number is not required.
A photo ID is necessary, but library cards, work visas, Matrícula consular, current or expired foreign government issued ID, or even handgun licenses are accepted.
Applications can be filed through their website at hidalgocsa.org/hcrrp. The website can be viewed in Spanish by switching the language preference in the top left corner of the webpage.
Unlike some federal funds used for this aid last year, the $26 million will be available through the end of next year, 2022.
Readers can submit questions for CSA Director Jaime Longoria during Friday’s livestream by emailing [email protected].
