Hays County could lose almost $800K in funding for its emergency rental assistance program
SAN MARCOS -- Hays County is positioned to lose almost $800,000 in funding for a program that offers rent and utility relief to residents struggling to make ends meet in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A recent audit on rental assistance programs across the country found that, as of Sept. 30, Hays County had spent about $166,000 — or 2.4% — of the nearly $7 million it was awarded for the program. That percentage makes the county one of 16 local governments in Texas that failed to meet federal spending targets.
The federal government plans to take back some of that unspent money and give it to other programs with better track records of spending.
Texas Housers, a nonprofit organization that advocates for low-income housing solutions, said the timing of the federal recapture is precarious given that there are fewer options now to seek rental help. Texas closed the application portal for a statewide rent relief program, citing “overwhelming demand” from people who need help.
Read more: https://www.kut.org/covid-19/2021-11-17/hays-county-could-lose-almost-800k-in-funding-for-its-emergency-rental-assistance-program