Evictions & Emergency Housing Assistanceinterfaithsaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ISAA...Oct 22, 2020  · Vietnamese • Know-Your-Rights videos ... SAWS. CPS: Internet. Cash ...

Presented by:

Evictions & Emergency Housing Assistance

Interfaith San Antonio AllianceOctober 22nd, 2020Sara WamsleyNeighorhood & Housing Services Department

Agenda

Goal: Learn about evictions and assistance programs to share with your congregations & help those in need

We will discuss:• The eviction process• Federal interventions• State interventions• Local interventions• How you can help

2

Photo credit: San Antonio Report

Photo credit: San Antonio Express News

Notice to Vacate

Eviction Filing

Court Date Set Judgement Appeal

PeriodWrit of

Possession

Eviction Process

Current Federal Interventions

CDC MoratoriumNational moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent effectiveSeptember 4th-December 31st, 2020

To qualify for protection, tenant must:• Be a tenant, lessee, or resident of a residential property

• Includes house, building, mobile home or land in a mobile home park• Does not include hotel, motel, or short-term rentals like AirBnBs

• Have annual income below $99,000 (single) or $198,000 (couple)• Give their landlord a signed declaration

Residents must still comply with lease and try to pay rent• Landlords can still charge fees, penalties, or interest

CDC Moratorium Resources

covid19.sanantonio.gov/Assistance/Residents/Housing-Evictions

5

• Declaration Templates, FAQs, & Flyers

• Available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, and Vietnamese

• Know-Your-Rights videos• Available in English &

Spanish

CDC Declaration Template Tips

•Answer honestly• Have proof• Keep a copy• Document when it was given

6

Current Federal Interventions

FHA Foreclosure MoratoriumEffective March 18th, 2020 – December 31st, 2020

For homeowners with FHA-backed mortgages:• No new foreclosure actions, existing actions are

suspended until Jan. 2021• Forbearance options upon request

• Extend for up to 1 year• No lump-sum due

Bexar County:Delinquent Property Tax Foreclosures are canceled through October

Current State Interventions

Texas Eviction Diversion Program• Up to 6 months of assistance

(including up to 5 months in back-rent) for COVID-19 impacted-households

• Eviction filing remains confidential• Landlord and tenant must agree to

participate• Landlord must waive all late fees

and interest

• Referrals come from the Courts Photo credit: San Antonio Express-News

Current Local Interventions

• Notice of Tenants’ Rights• Emergency Housing Assistance

Program• Temporary Rental Assistance

Measure (Bexar County)• Right to Counsel

Current Local Interventions

Notice of Tenants’ RightsPermanent Local Ordinance effective July 25th, 2020.

All residential rentals must issue the Notice with any Notice to Vacate for non-payment of rent

Notice & FAQs available at www.sanantonio.gov/NHSD/Programs/FairHousing

Report violations to 311. Fines up to $500 per incident.

Current Local Interventions

Emergency Housing Assistance Program

Rent, mortgage, and utility assistance (including internet) for San Antonio households at or below 80% AMI

Accessible online at sanantonio.gov/NHSD/Programs/FairHousing

Accessible by phone at 210-207-5910

Current Local Interventions

Emergency Housing Assistance Program

AMIMonths 1 and 2 Month

3

Rent/Mortgage SAWS CPS Internet Cash Grant

Cash Grant

<50% Up to $300 $500

51% -80% $250

Evictions:Applicants who have an eviction filed against them are eligible for up to $5,000 in assistance, plus the cash grants.

Current Local Interventions

Temporary Rental Assistance Measure

Up to 6 months of rent assistance for households within Bexar County, but outside of SA city limits, with incomes at or below 100% AMI

Accessible online at habctx.org/TRAM

Accessible by phone at 210-940-1180

Current Local Interventions

Right to Counsel

Free legal aid for households at or below 100% AMI

Accessible online at bit.ly/trlartc or in Spanish: bit.ly/trlartcesp

Accessible by phone at 210-212-3702

Photo credit: San Antonio Express-News

Current Local Interventions

Eviction Prevention Team

Counseling & Resource referrals for residents with filings against them- before, during, and after trial

Accessible by phone at 210-207-5910

[email protected]

How you can help?

If someone is worried about paying their rent, mortgage, or utilities…- Let them know about the Emergency Housing Assistance Program

210- 207-5910 or sanantonio.gov/NHSD/Programs/FairHousing- Advise them to give their landlord a CDC Declaration

- covid19.sanantonio.gov/Assistance/Residents/Housing-Evictions

If someone has an eviction filed against them…- Connect them to the Eviction Prevention Team

210- 207-5910 or [email protected]

If someone is homeless or at imminent risk…- Homeless Connections Hotline: 210-207-1799

If you have questions or aren’t sure, reach out to us! [email protected]

Other helpful resources

• Bexar County TRAM: 210-940-1180 or habctx.org/TRAM

• SAMM: 210- 340-0302 or www.samm.org/get-help

• St. Vincent de Paul: 210-220-2463 or www.svdpsa.org/gethelp

• Short- and long-term rental assistance and case management for people facing homelessness.

• Ways to qualify include imminent risk of homelessness, living in a hotel

Other programs: Catholic Charities, Endeavors, American GI Forum (Veterans only)

Presented by:

Evictions & Emergency Housing AssistanceInterfaith San Antonio AllianceOctober 22nd, 2020Sara WamsleyNeighorhood & Housing Services Department

Notice to Vacate

• Know: • This is not an eviction, but the first step in the process• Usually says “3 day” notice, sometimes up to 14 days• The client is going to be very stressed about receiving this

notice. • Say:

• Is your NTV due to non-payment of rent? • Have you communicated with your landlord since receiving it?

• Do: • Advise them to apply for EHAP or check the status• Let them know about Right to Counsel, if needed

Notice of Setting / Court Date

• Know: • The client is likely received information about this program from the court

• Say: • When is your court date? Which precinct is it in? What is your cause

number?• Have you communicated with your landlord since receiving it? • It is important that you show up for your hearing. If you do not show up,

you will receive a judgement against you by default.• Do:

• Advise them to apply for EHAP or check the status• Let them know about Right to Counsel, if needed• Email the COSA eviction team the referral [email protected]

Judgement Against them

• Know: • This situation is very urgent. They may only have a day or so to take action.

• Say: • When was your court date? • What does the judgement say? • Have you communicated with your landlord since receiving it? • You have up to 5 days from the date of your judgement to appeal. Have

you filed? • Do:

• Advise them to apply for EHAP or check the status• Let them know about Right to Counsel, if needed• Email the COSA eviction team the referral [email protected]

Writ of Possession

• Know: • This situation is extremely urgent. They may only have a day or so to

leave their unit or convince the landlord to give them more time. • Say:

• We can refer you to someone who can help.• When does the writ say you need to leave?• Have you communicated with your landlord since receiving it? • Do you have a safe place to go?

• Do: • Refer them to the Homeless Hotline 210-207-1799 immediately• Email the COSA eviction team the referral

[email protected]