City of Waco, TX/McLennan County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The City of Waco/McLennan County Emergency Rental Assistance application process is now closed. But applications received before October 1st will be considered.
If you have any questions, please email MclennanCORentalAssistance@wacotx.gov or call (254)750-8000.
Residents of McLennan County who need rental assistance after October 1, 2021 can apply with EOAC at: eoacwaco.org/community-services/emergency-rental-assistance-program-era/.
If you have any questions, please call 254-756-0954 or email: communityservices@eoacwaco.org.
About The Program
The McLennan County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MCERA) aids families in crisis with rent payments who have been directly or indirectly impacted by a loss of income, significant costs, or other financial problems as a result of COVID-19.
To help families avoid eviction, the MCERA project will provide up to 12 months of rental assistance. Aid comprises rental and utility assistance for families who qualify and meet the income requirements of the US Department of the Treasury in order to prevent and avoid evictions and homelessness.
Program Details
Qualified households receive financial assistance for a variety of reasons, including rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy bills, and utility and home energy cost arrears.
Payment in full of arrears is possible and limited to a maximum of 12 months to the landlord and/or utility companies as of March 13, 2020. (excluding telephone, cable and internet).
Payments to landlords and/or utility companies are limited to three months at a time and may not exceed a total of twelve months (excluding telephone, cable and internet). Every three months, you must reapply for more assistance. Utilities assistance includes assistance with power, gas, water, and sewer.
Details of Assistance
Applications for financial assistance and housing stability services from eligible households will be reviewed and prioritized if the applicant fits the following criteria:
- The income of the household does not exceed 50% of the region’s typical household income.
At least one member of the family is unemployed as of the date of the application and has been so for the previous 90 days. - Because of a public health order made by the City, County, or State in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the employer’s location is closed and/or the applicant is unable to report to work.
- Following the preceding priority cases, applications from tenants who have been sued for eviction are examined first, followed by applications from renters who have received utility disconnection notices. Priority is being given to these petitions in order to speed processing and increase the likelihood that evictions and utility disconnections will be diverted.
- The McLennan County Emergency Rental Assistance Program will examine and handle all remaining applications after processing all priority applications. All non-priority applications will be assessed and handled on a first-come, first-served basis until all monies are committed.