Come Dream Come Build, formerly the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, wants Cameron County residents to know help is available for those having trouble paying rent and utilities due to the pandemic.
CDCB has joined forces with the county for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury to the tune of $12.7 million, part of $25 billion in ERAP funds Treasury is making available nationally.
“Cameron County was awarded and they chose CDCB as a partner to help them manage the program, so we’re working on this together,” said Marcela Saenz, CDCB communications and marketing manager.
The organization’s central mission is helping families get on their feet financially and become homeowners, though CDCB’s counselors report that many clients who were on the path toward homeownership but renting in the meantime are now having a hard time making ends meet because of pandemic-related financial troubles, she said.
“COVID has affected everybody,” Saenz said. “Some people either lost their jobs or their hours were cut. Normally you have your budget and you know how much you need for you and your family, and when something like this happens you go into a crisis. You can’t pay your rent. You can’t pay your utilities.”
The program covers unpaid back rent for one year, to mid-March 2020, and also offers rent help three months from the start of the program, which CDCB announced March 15 and for which it has already received applications. Saenz said residents who receive help through the program can reapply in three months if they’re still in need of assistance and funds remain available.
To be eligible a renter’s household income cannot exceed 80 percent of Area Median Income — $38,240 in Cameron County according to Fannie Mae. Also, at least one member of the household must qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in income, have incurred significant cost or experienced other financial hardships due to the pandemic, and is able to demonstrate risk of homelessness or housing instability.
Saenz said it’s important to note that landlords can also apply for help through the program.
Applications for renters and landlords along with complete information are available at cdcb.org/rental-assistance. Residents can also call (888) 814-4744 for information. Anyone unable to submit an online application can pick up paper applications at one of 16 locations around the county:
Brownsville
>> CDCB, 901 E. Levee St.
>> Bob Clark Social Services Center, 9901 S. California Rd.
>> Cameron County Housing Authority, 65 Castellano Circle
>> Dancy Building, 1100 E. Monroe St.
>> Centro Cultural, 2100 Avenida Gregory
>> San Pedro Church, 2600 Old Military Rd.
>> Iglesia Bautista West Brownsville, 925 W. St. Charles St.
>> Mary Mother of the Church, 1914 Barnard Rd.
>> San Felipe de Jesus Parish, 2218 Carlos Ave.
Harlingen
>> City of Harlingen, 118 East Tyler Ave.
La Feria
>> Commissioner Gus Ruiz, Pct. 4, 26623 White Ranch Rd.
Los Fresnos
>> City Hall, 520 E. Ocean Blvd.
>> Whipple Memorial Library, 402 W. Ocean Blvd.
Port Isabel
>> City Hall, 305 E. Maxan St.
>> Police Department, 110 W Hickman Ave.
Rio Hondo
>> City of Rio Hondo, 121 N. Arroyo Blvd.
“Our biggest concern right now is that people don’t know about the program and that they’re losing their home and they’re moving in with the family member,” Saenz said. “Home is everything right now. We work from home, we study from home, we do everything from home. It’s their safe space, so we’re definitely trying to help people keep their homes and just have some sort of security right now with everything that’s going on.”
For more information regarding the Emergency Rental Assistance Program:
>> (888) 814-4744
