By Madelyn Edwards
(ARLINGTON, Texas) Arlington residents who have been affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, have past-due rent or utilities and have a gross household income of less than 80% of local median income are eligible for funds from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
The city of Arlington has about $21 million in emergency rental funds to administer through 2027.
Residents in need of relief can apply at www.ArlingtonHousing.us or call 817-276-6727 for more information.
Housing Operations Manager Mindy Cochran said her department has hired 24 additional staff members to reach out to residents in need and has aimed to tell renters and landlords about the aid before they start the eviction process in court.
“If there’s a tenant and landlord who hasn’t heard about the program, they can defer and have a conversation about rental assistance,” Cochran said.
The program provides up to 18 months of assistance.
Before having access to federal relief funds, Arlington’s housing department issued aid to more than 180 households — 101 of which were given a total of $436,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds and 82 received a total of $222,000 from the Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program.