Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Texans are accumulating bills that they can’t pay due to the pandemic.

Some Texas cities are trying to help by providing rent and mortgage relief.

But advocates say the programs aren’t expansive enough to see Texans through the pandemic.

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2/ The vast majority of Texas cities have no housing assistance programs in place.

And in cities with programs like Austin, San Antonio and Dallas, the funds don’t meet the need.

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3/ A Dallas official said its program could support about 1,000 households. On the first day, they received applications from more than 16,000.

San Antonio’s $25 million program has received applications for just over 40% of the budget since it launched.

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4/ Texas has halted evictions until May 18, but it hasn’t suspended payments or late fees. Landlords are also still allowed to file for evictions.

Once the eviction moratorium lifts, countless households will be left scrambling to pay back what they owe.

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5/ Advocates say Texas should require landlords to give tenants an opportunity to pay their debts instead of being evicted.

Renters have a grace period in Dallas and Austin, but there isn’t a similar protection statewide.

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6/ Housing organizations are also urging the Texas congressional delegation to support $100 billion in federal rental assistance and a national eviction moratorium.

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7/7 But advocates aren’t optimistic.

“Ideally, there’d be a coordinated response to stabilize tenants at the state or federal level,” an advocate said. “Sadly, the political will just isn’t there.”

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