Rent Relief Programs Available Beyond Austin
Apartment residents in the City of Austin needing renal assistance can submit an application to the RENT 2.0 program, but what about residents outside of the City of Austin or in the surrounding area? Fortunately, there are programs available in those areas for residents economically impacted by the pandemic that can provide rent payments and related utility expenses.
All apartment properties are strongly encouraged to direct their residents to these rental assistance programs. In fact, all available rent relief programs have taken on a heightened importance under the new federal rules preventing evictions issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) because for residents to claim protection from eviction they must declare that they have “used best efforts to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing,”
Travis County
Travis County Family Support Services Division provides rental assistance. Call 211 or 512-854-9020 or visit the Travis County Family Support Services website at https://www.traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/divisions/family-support-services
Williamson County
Williamson County is working with social service agencies to handle applications for the Wilco Forward Phase III Assistance Program. All residences assisted must be located in Williamson County, but not in city limits of Austin. The assistance can include up to the rent amount based on the lease agreement plus late fees for up to a total of three months and/or up to $1,500 of utility assistance per residence. All applicants must show evidence that the assistance is needed due to issues caused by COVID-19. These agencies will provide the rent and/or utility assistance to a landlord, property management company, or utility company between March 1 through December 30. For a Wilco Forward Phase III Assistance Program brochure in English click HERE. For a brochure in Spanish click HERE.
Round Rock Area Serving Center serving Round Rock, Brushy Creek/Fern Bluff MUD, Hutto areas outside of Georgetown ISD, zip code 78717 that is not in the city limits of Austin Call 512-244-2431 or visit www.rrasc.org
The Caring Place serving Georgetown, Andice, Bartlett, Florence, Granger, Jarrell, Jonah, Schwertner, Walburg, Weir, Hutto areas within Georgetown ISD Call 512-943-0700 or visit www.caringplacetx.org
The Salvation Army serving Cedar Park, Coupland, Leander, Liberty Hill, Taylor, Thrall, and all other areas of Williamson County not served by the other two agencies, zip codes 78729 and 78750 in Williamson County but not in the city limits of Austin http://salvationarmyaustin.org/williamson-county-service-center/ or call 512-943-8421
Hays County
Community Action Inc. of Central Texas provides utility assistance and some rental assistance in certain situations. https://www.communityaction.com/ or call 512-392-1161