The state of Texas has launched a new program benefiting both property owners and renters, providing up to fifteen months of assistance.
The Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) may provide up to 12 months of rental and utility assistance for eligible tenants who are behind on their rent due to the coronavirus pandemic and have been sued for eviction.
In order to be eligible for the assistance the tenant and landlord must agree to participate and meet a number of criteria.
“This is a temporary program that Texas is doing, kind of like a pilot program,” Frio County Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Susan Belding said last week. “They are encouraging us to get this information out so landlords are aware.”
According to TEDP, if the rent is below the Texas Rent Relief Program limit, assistance can be used to pay the contracted rent for all past due rent as far back as March 13, 2020. Additionally three months, upon re-application, if necessary to ensure housing stability contingent on fund availability.
A special process allows courts to put eviction lawsuits on hold and divert them to TEDP. Under the TEDP, lump-sum payments are provided to landlords for rent back payments in exchange for allowing tenants to remain in their homes and forgiving late fees. Should a case under the TEDP be eligible for forgiveness, the diverted case will be dismissed and made confidential from public disclosure.
Eligibility requirements for property owners and tenants is available at TexasRentRelieft.com or by calling (833) 989-7368. If a case is in the court process, information can be found at txcourts.gov/eviction-diversion or by calling (855) 270-7655.
“There is money out there to be used,” Belding said. “This is a really good program.”
