HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0003) IR 21-10579 - Status of Emergency Rental Assistance ProgramsINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10579
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
May 11, 2021
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SUBJECT: STATUS OF EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
On February 23, 2021, the City Council approved M&C 21-0106 and M&C 21-0111 to administer a rental assistance
program to assist low -to -moderate income households financially impacted by COVID-19. The rental assistance
program is funded through Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) Texas Emergency Rental
Assistance Program (TERAP) and the United States Department of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program
(ERAP). The program funds total $1,840,489.78 and $27,484,117, respectively. As part of the implementation
process, the City launched an online application portal utilizing Neighborly Software on March 8, 2021. The portal
allows either the landlord or tenant to initiate the application process. In addition to the online application process,
the City has partnered with six organizations, including five nonprofit agencies (Center for Transforming Lives,
Samaritan House, Salvation Army, Housing Channel, and Cornerstone Assistance Network) along with Fort Worth
Housing Solutions (FWHS), to provide case management services and assist in the overall administration of the
program.
As of May 5, 2021, a total of 3,095 applications have been entered into the online portal, but only 23% have been
completed. A chart summarizing the status of applications received to date is below:
Status
Cases
Notes
Applications In Progress
2,319
pplicant hasn't fully submitted their application
Application Under Review
190
Under review by caseworkers
Pending Applicant Information
251
dditional information has been requested from the tenant
Withdrawn/Duplicate
56
Duplicate accounts have been erased
Pending Vendor Response
41
Awaiting information from landlord
Denied
106
Applicant does not qualify
Approved
132
$691,611 approved for payment
Total
3,095
The approval process takes approximately 7-10 days provided all documentation has been submitted in a timely
manner. In an effort to address the number of incomplete applications and expedite final approval, our partner
agencies are notifying the impacted tenants or landlords to encourage them to complete the application process.
On May 5, 2021, Neighborhood Services staff, along with partnering agencies, began visiting apartment complexes
and other rental housing locations throughout the city to conduct on -site intake of applications. In addition, an
extensive affirmative marketing and outreach strategy (Social media, print media, Nextdoor, radio, bus stop
benches, advertisements on mass transit, robocalls, etc.) specifically targeting underserved populations is being
deployed to further inform all residents regarding the availability of assistance. As part of the ongoing outreach
efforts, during the first week of May 2021, rental assistance information was shared by robocalls to area residents
and sent to 302 faith -based organizations throughout the City to share with their memberships. City staff also
completed a radio interview with KERA 90.1 FM on April 29, 2021; which aired on Friday, April 30, 2021, and has
been in steady rotation since that date.
For additional information about this topic, please contact Victor Turner, Director of the Neighborhood Services
Department, at 817-392-8187.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS