Quick Resources

TDHCA RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is distriburing  $1.3 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the newly passed Coronavirus Relief Bill. TDHCA’s Texas Rent Relief program website and phone systems are up and running and ready to answer questions. TDHCA will accept applications from landlords and tenants beginning February 15, 2021, at 8 a.m. .

Learn more and apply online at TexasRentRelief.com

Learn more and apply by phone at 833-9TX-RENT / 833-989-7368.

Renter qualifications:

• Households must have income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as defined by TDHCA.
• AND One or more of the tenant household members have:
  • Qualified for unemployment benefits; OR
  • Attest in writing that due to or during the pandemic, they:
    • Experienced a reduction in household income,
    • Incurred significant costs, or
    • Experienced financial hardship
• AND Households must also demonstrate they:
  • Are at risk of homelessness or housing instability by providing an eviction notice or past-due utility or rent notice; OR
  • Live in unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions
• The unit you are renting must be your primary residence and be located within the State of Texas.
• Any unpaid rent or utility bills you apply for can go no further back than March 13, 2020.

Outreach Flyer_English

Outreach Flyer_Spanish

A few quick questions to see of you qualify

Area Median Income (AMI) Table - Texas Counties

Texas Apartment Association REDBOOK

The REDBOOK is the essential source for owning and operating rental property in Texas.  The REDBOOK is updated every other year - the 2020-2021 edition is available two ways - either online or hard copy. 

Purchase a REDBOOK

TAA Click & Lease users
If you use TAA Click & Lease powered by Blue Moon, simply login to your lease forms software application and then access the online REDBOOK.

TAA FORMS/REDBOOK ONLINE

Not a Click & Lease user?  No problem! AAA members can subscribe to the online REDBOOK for an annual fee.  E-mail Glenda Holmes at glenda@taa.org to purchase the online REDBOOK. 

Apartment Community Engagement (ACE) Voter Registration Program

The Office of the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar in conjunction with the League of Women Voters and the Austin Apartment Association has developed the Apartment Community Engagement (ACE) Program to better serve the unique voter registration needs of apartment community residents in Travis, Williamson and Hays Counties.  

When you become an ACE Program participant you will be better equipped to offer a wide range of voter registration activities.  You can choose to include postage-paid a Texas Voter Registration Card and informational pamphlets in your welcome and move-out packets, obtain digital voter registration and engagement PSAs for you to share with your residents on social media, newsletters or e-mail, host on-site voter registration drive, and other voter engagement activities. You decide which services to offer. Engage today!

MORE INFORMATION AND ENGAGE

City of Austin RENT 2.0  - Rental Assistance Program

Austin renters who have experienced an income loss due to COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for the next random selection for the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program. 

The RENT program provides direct rental support for up to three months for income-eligible Austinites who can demonstrate a COVID-19-related income loss.

Random selection drawings will be conducted periodically over the coming months through the end of the calendar year, or until the $12.9 million is expended.  All applications, regardless of when they are submitted, will be given equal chance in the selection process.

RENT 2.0 INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

City of Austin Project Connect

Project Connect is a comprehensive transit plan with a rail system that travels under downtown to improve on-time performance. It would also provide expanded bus service with an all-electric bus fleet.

A ballot measure for the Project Connect Initial Investment will be on the November 2020 ballot. It was a collaborative process between the Capital Metro board and the Austin City Council that resulted in the Initial Investment portion of Project Connect being put before voters this year.

PROJECT CONNECT 

Our Mobility Our Future – the group formed to opposed Project Connect.  

TransitNowATX – the group formed to support Project Connect. 

Austin Energy Multifamily Reqiurements and Rebates

Multifamily properties must conduct a specialized energy audit the year the property turns 10 years old, and you must make Energy Audit results available to potential and current residents. Unless your property is a High Energy Use property, ECAD does not require that you make energy efficiency improvements. However, if you want to make energy efficiency improvements based on your audit results, Austin Energy provides rebates and other incentives to make upgrades.

ECAD AND REBATE INFORMATION