Emergency Rental Assistance Program for San Marcos, TX (Hays County)
Hays County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA)
Tenants can register and receive a registration receipt, which they can use to show a Hays County court proof of application if eviction procedures are already underway. Landlords should contact the County’s ERA Program administrator for tenant fliers and encourage tenants who are behind on their rent to apply. Payments from the ERA program grant are given directly to the landlord if authorized.
Eligible households may receive rent and/or utility assistance for up to 12 months (accrued after March 13, 2020). Households may reapply for additional help after receiving support for one to three months (in three-month increments, not to exceed a total of 12 months).
Applicants with income at or below 50% of the area median OR households with one or more members who have been unemployed for at least 90 days prior to the date of application will be prioritized for the first twenty-one (21) days of the program, according to policy. Hays County’s program began on July 12.
Read about the ERA program’s recent growth; by collaborating with community partners, we hope to assist people in avoiding eviction or becoming homeless in a more effective manner.
The Hays County Commissioners Court has approved the creation of a COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA). This program may provide rental, utility, and late fee assistance to applicants who have been unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 outbreak and meet program qualifications. A federal grant will be used to fund the project.
Step 1: Answer pre-screening questions. If your application is accepted, you will be notified.
If you receive a pre-qualification notice stating that you are qualified, proceed to Step 2 and submit your application.
Expenses That Are Reimbursable
The funds can be used to pay for the following items:
- Rent that has fallen behind
- Rent is due now and in the future.
- Reasonable late costs were charged.
Applicant Eligibility
Renter households must be in Hays County, have an income of no more than 80% of the area median income, and have one or more members who fit one or more of the following criteria:
If you are qualified for unemployment benefits as a result of or during the pandemic:
Income was reduced, significant costs were incurred, or other financial difficulties occurred.
AND one or more family members must identify that they are at risk of homelessness or housing instability, which may include a past due utility or rent notice or an eviction notification.
What are the Priorities
According to federal grant criteria, Hays County will prioritize assistance as follows:
Priority 1 – Applicants (requiring assistance with past-due rent or utilities) with an income equal to or less than 50% of the area median OR households with at least one individual who has been unemployed for at least 90 days prior to the date of application will be prioritized for assistance during the first twenty-one (21) days of the program, which began on July 12, 2021.
Priority 2 – After Priority 1 is completed, applicants facing immediate eviction and satisfying the income qualifying standards will be prioritized.
Priority 3 – After Priority 2, all applicants who meet the income qualifying conditions and are not facing imminent eviction will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Renter households must be in Hays County, have an income of no more than 80% of the area median income, and have one or more members who fit one or more of the following criteria:
If you are qualified for unemployment benefits as a result of or during the pandemic:
Income was reduced, significant costs were incurred, or other financial difficulties occurred.
AND one or more family members must identify that they are at risk of homelessness or housing instability, which may include a past due utility or rent notice or an eviction notification.
Tenant Application Documentation Required
HAYS COUNTY ERA PROGRAM
Tenant Application Checklist
Use the checklist below to determine which documents you’ll need to apply for the Hays County ERA program. Coordinating with your landlord as much as possible will help speed up the process. Please contact erap@co.hays.tx.us for a copy of the landlord documentation checklist.
Identification (please present ONE of the following)
- Government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, voter registration card,
military ID) - IDs needed for every individual over 18 years old in the household
- Demonstrating Income Below Program Limit: (FOUR)
All income information is required for every individual over 18 years
old in the household
- Proof of Income PRIOR to COVID-19 (ONE)
-Jan/Feb 2020 bank statements or screenshots, pay statements - Proof of Income Loss Due to COVID-19 (ONE)
-March/April statements, termination letter from employer stating
loss of hours/employment, any other proof of decline or loss of
income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020 Total - Income (ONE)
-2020 Tax Return or W-2 - Proof of Income-2 Months Prior to Application Date (ONE)
Bank statements (even if no deposits posted)
Pay stubs from the two most recent months
WC income is separate from personal income*
Proof of Residence and Rent Amount (ONE of the following)
- Copy of signed lease
Risk of Homelessness or Housing Instability (ONE of the following)
- Notice of past-due rent, past-due utilities, or notice to evict
Financial Hardship (ONE of the following)
- Certification you have qualified for unemployment benefits, OR
- Certification that due to or during the pandemic, you experienced a
reduction in income incurred significant costs or experienced other
financial hardship.
HAYS COUNTY ERA PROGRAM
Tenant Application Checklist pdf
Assistance Requested – up to twelve (12) months of assistance in 3 month
increments
Past due rent or utilities (utility application only) for all months you owed
back to March 13, 2020, AND
Current month and up to 2 more future months of rent or utility
assistance.
*Please be sure to upload nine documents minimum to make sure you complete all
required categories*