AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin Housing Department announces that applications are open for 8 million dollars of rental assistance and eviction prevention support. Administered by El Buen Samaritano, the City’s new I Belong in Austin program will provide financial assistance with rent, moving, and storage/relocation costs for tenants at risk of eviction. Residents are encouraged to review eligibility and apply for rental assistance at www.AustinTexas.gov/RENT.
“This work is a vital part of our displacement prevention strategy to help families stay in their homes,” explains Rosie Truelove, Director of the Housing Department. "Partnering with El Buen for I Belong in Austin will help us provide relief and housing assistance to vulnerable households throughout Austin.”
El Buen will work closely with the City, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA), and Volunteer Legal Services (VLS) to provide eviction prevention support, tenant relocation services, and emergency rental dollars to communities in their preferred language.
“IBIA is literally saving lives by ensuring safe spaces for children, elderly and adults. The dignity of being housed brings hope, health, and happiness to many that are experiencing unimaginable situations,” stated Dr. Rosamaria Murillo, Chief Executive Officer for El Buen Samaritano. “We are honored to be a path to peace, health, and wellbeing for thousands of individuals at such a critical moment in their lives when they are a step away from being rendered unhoused.”
The distribution of rental assistance funds by El Buen will be guided by the lessons learned from emergency rental assistance provided through the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants program during COVID-19. Improvements include increased program access by providing walk-in hours, a call center, and developing a user-friendly online application process. The Housing Department has worked with El Buen since the pandemic in building a rental assistance program.
“There were many lessons learned through the RENT program, where we distributed more than $77 million to over 18,000 households. Most importantly, we have learned that the needs still exist; emergency rent assistance and eviction prevention is a critical step to help keep families housed, preventing them from sliding into our homeless population,” stated Nefertitti Jackmon, the City’s Community Displacement Prevention Officer.
The ongoing collaboration with El Buen, TLRA, VLS, and other partners is another important key to the program's success. If you or anyone you know is struggling to pay rent or is at risk of eviction, apply for I Belong in Austin at www.austintexas.gov/RENT.
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