Financial relief available for renters and landlords affected by COVID-19

Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas announced Tuesday that relief is in sight for qualifying renters and landlords who find themselves behind in rental payments/collections due to the circumstances caused by the novel coronavirus.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has received $1.3 billion in emergency rental assistance funds from the newly passed Texas Coronavirus Relief Bill, and beginning Monday, February 15, renters and landlords who are financially impacted in a negative way because of the pandemic can begin applying for these funds.

Thomas said, “Both landlords and tenants can use the website to create an account and submit their applications.” Applications can be submitted to www.TexasRentRelief or by calling (833) 9TX-RENT, starting at 8 a.m. February 15.

The program can also help tenants and landlords with past due costs dating back to possibly 11 months ago, starting March 2020, according to Thomas.

As of Tuesday, February 9, Kerr County reported 186 active COVID-19 cases, 5 patients hospitalized at Peterson Regional Medical Center due to the novel coronavirus and 79 fatalities of permanent Kerr County residents from COVID-19 as reported by DSHS.