Dallas Is Helping Lower-Income Residents Pay Mortgage, Rent, Utilities: Here’s What You Need To Know

Dallas City Council recently approved $13.7 million in relief that will help lower and moderate income residents pay their mortgage, rent, and utilities. This new assistance program will help Dallas residents who have been hurt by the coronavirus shutdown and are financially struggling. Keep reading to learn more.

Related: ENTIRE List of Public Companies That Took BIGGEST Loans Meant For Actual Small Businesses

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Dallas City Council Approves $13.7 Million To Help Lower-Income Residents Pay Rent, Mortgage, Utilities

Many people are financially struggling due to unemployment, being furloughed, taking pay cuts or even closing their business due to the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Due to lost wages and revenue, many people are worried about evictions and lockouts, like this small business owner who was illegally locked out of her downtown McKinney, Texas photography studio when she told her landlord she needed a Small Business Administration PPP loan to pay April rent.

Metroplex Social is also aware of callous landlords in Dallas who refuse to work with their residential and commercial tenants.

We now know vital funds went to massive companies instead of the small businesses they were actually meant to help. Lives have been destroyed as a result.

ENTIRE LIST OF COMPANIES THAT TOOK THE BIGGEST PPP LOANS MEANT FOR REAL SMALL BUSINESSES

Dallas Rent, Mortgage Assistance Program Helps Most Vulnerable

Dallas City Council approving a rent assistance program is seen by many as a compassionate approach helping Dallas’ most vulnerable.

“We expect to help thousands of Dallas residents to stay in their homes,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said.

“I understand that times are tough right now,” the mayor said. “COVID-19 has hit us all very hard.” 

The new financial assistance program is aimed at providing up to three months of payments for residents at or below 80% of the area median income. Those with even lower incomes could qualify for up to six months of assistance. Payments will be made directly to the landlord.

The median income in Dallas Fort Worth is $83,100 according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Councilmember Adam Bazaldua says an estimated 60% of all Dallas residents are renters, and he said that the rental rate for his district in parts of south and east Dallas could be as high as 80%.

“There is a vulnerable population that is going to be impacted due to circumstances that they could not have avoided,” Bazaldua said. “So I think it’s important for us to do what we can to keep them in their homes.”

Dallas COVID-19 Rental, Mortgage Assistance Quick Facts

According to a post on Facebook published by Dallas Council Member Oscar Narvaez, there are three main parts of the program you should be aware of:

1. A new ordinance meant to encourage landlords and tenants to work together to overcome COVID-19 hardships.

The COVID Notice Ordinance requires residential landlords to issue a “COVID Notice of Possible Eviction” in English and Spanish that provides tenants information on rental assistance and at least 21 days to negotiate lease payment agreements with landlords.

The ordinance also allows for a 60-day eviction notice if a substantial financial hardship can be proven.

The proposed ordinance explicitly excludes any delays of evictions when there is evidence of abatable criminal activity and does not excuse any requirement for the tenant to pay rent under the agreed-upon lease.

The ordinance would only remain in effect in conjunction with the declared disaster declaration and is limited in its application to residential properties.

2. Authorized 13.7 million for a rental and mortgage assistance program.

Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program

The Mortgage and Rental Assistance program passed by Council will offer $6.1 million in rental and mortgage aid. Combined with services and programs that already exist within the city, $13.7 million is available.

Assistance will provide up to $1,500 for a maximum of three months per eligible household. To qualify for the pre-screening process, applicants must be City of Dallas residents who lost their jobs or were furloughed due to COVID-19.

The Mortgage and Rental Assistance program is a collaboration between the Office of Community Care and the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization.

The program is expected to open during the first week of May.

3. Committed up to $5 million in loans and grants for small businesses:

Small Business Continuity Fund (SBCF)

The Office of Economic Development will launch the $5 million Small Business Continuity Fund.

The fund will provide up to $10,000 in grants and up to $50,000 in low-cost loans to small businesses affected by COVID-19.

The businesses must be able to prove they were in operation for a minimum of six months prior to March 16, 2020 and demonstrate a 25% drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

The goal of the fund is to ensure continued operations of small businesses and job retention by those businesses.

The application is expected to go live in May for grants and loans to begin in June.

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Who qualifies for rent, mortgage, utility assistance in Dallas?

Dallas residents can get financial assistance that will help them pay their rent and mortgage if they qualify. Some of the qualifications we know about so far:

• Resident of Dallas who lost their job or were furloughed due to COVID-19 pandemic
• Resident of Dallas at or below 80% of area median income
• Example: family of 4 making no more than $66,500
• Example: single individual making no more than $46,550
• Dallas residents at or below 50% of the area media income could qualify for up to six months of payments
• Example: single individual making no more than $29,100
• Residents must ask for assistance by filling out an application online
• Assistance is paid directly to landlord

How can I get help with my rent, mortgage, utilities in Dallas?

To see if you qualify for financial assistance to get you through the coronavirus pandemic in Dallas you should visit the city’s website on May 4 and fill out an application.

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I think I need legal help to stop an eviction. Who can I talk to for free?

If you or your family is facing eviction due to the coronavirus pandemic, you have some options in Texas. You can also read through this Texas evictions online resource page for more valuable information.

Dallas Fort Worth residents:

Email [email protected] to see if a volunteer attorney can help you avoid an eviction. You can also go to this coronavirus resource page to learn how to apply for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance.

Fort Worth residents:

See if Fort Worth’s Community Action Partners program can help you at http://fortworthtexas.gov/cap/apply/.

Dallas Is Now Helping Lower-Income Residents Pay Mortgage, Rent, Utilities: Here’s What You Need To Know

Dallas City Council just approved $13.7 million to help lower income residents pay rent, mortgage, and utlities due to coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what we know so far.

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