Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo held an event on Friday to highlight the city-county emergency rental assistance program.

HOUSTON – Renters in Houston and Harris County who are struggling to make ends meet because of the COVID-19 pandemic can begin applying for assistance on Thursday. This latest round of rental assistance totals $159 million. “This program will bring much-needed relief for those tenants who are due to pay rent,” said Cristina Cave, community relations manager for BakerRipley. “We will be addressing first those tenants that need it the most,” Cave said. Stelly said her pension is barely enough to live on but is too much for her to receive public assistance.

Landlords can apply for rental assistance in another programHOUSTON – The Southwest Management District announced an update to the Houston area rental assistance program. Here’s what you need to know:Harris CountyApartment owners and residents -- except those in the city limits of Houston, Baytown or Pasadena -- can apply for a program that will provide up to six months of rental assistance. The money will be paid directly to the landlord, funded by the Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program. To apply, click hereHouston and Harris CountyThe city of Houston and Harris County have a combined $140 million in rental assistance funding. AdTo apply, click hereThe Houston Apartment Association will host a webinar on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. with program experts from Houston, Harris County and BakerRipley.

With COVID-19 still disrupting our lives, now more than ever many people in our community are in desperate need of help. She ended up homeless and in desperate need of help. Call the United Way at 2-1-1 to get help connecting with the best groups for you. The United Way was able to connect Regina to resources for food, rent, and unemployment help. The United Way can also help people find childcare, food stamps, or even care for an aging parent.

AUSTIN – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that he will be allocating over $171 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding that will go toward helping Texans at risk of becoming homeless due to eviction. According to a news release, the funds will allow the local and state officials to work with non-profits to help people catch up on missed rent payments so they can stay in their homes and avoid an eviction on their record. “The Texas Eviction Diversion Program is crucial to our state’s response to COVID-19, and it will help many families recover from the impact of the pandemic without the looming threat of eviction,” Abbott said. “This innovative partnership, coupled with the renters assistance provided through CARES Act funding, will strengthen our economic recovery efforts and provide a lifeline to renters and property owners alike.”Of the funds, $167 million will go toward rental assistance and about $4.2 million will be “allocated through the Texas Supreme Court to help the state’s legal aid providers and pro bono lawyers provide basic legal services to eligible Texans through this pandemic.”

Through the Veterans Services Program, Mourland was able to get assistance with everything from rent and utilities to other necessities. Jeffrey Lewings, the Veterans Services Supervisor for BakerRipley, said the program has helped hundreds of veterans this year alone and thousands since it started back in 2013. “There are so many veterans out there that feel that they’re alone, that they’re by themselves. “It’s a phenomenal feeling to be able to assist and help the veterans." BakerRipley hopes that more veterans in need of help will reach out about the program.

HOUSTON – Some Fort Bend County residents say they are still awaiting the money they were promised as part of the county's COVID-19 assistance program. The plan, which rolled out applications for its first phase on June 1, has only paid out $2.2 million of the $6.1 million allocated to assist residents with rent, mortgage payments and utility bills, according to Fort Bend County Judge KP George. As of July 20, the county said 2,269 individual payments were made and there were 6,253 eligible applicants. But now four days into August, Chanell Brown says her landlord still hasn't received a dime of the $1500 Fort Bend County said she was approved for to help with rent. Judge George said the delay was a staffing issue and Tuesday, the Fort Bend County Commission approved $2.3 million to hire more caseworkers.

HOUSTON – During a special session Monday, Montgomery County Commissioners Court designated $10 million to go toward rental assistance for residents in need. Montgomery County was funded $105 million from that act to help residents who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We must use these funds diligently and help all who have been affected,” Commissioner James Noack said in a press release. The fund will not have an income limit, unlike the $2.4 million approved for rental assistance during the May 26 Commissioners Court session. This means that middle-class families across the county who need rental assistance will also be able to apply.