City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date:
Contact: Jeff Patterson     512-974-3172    Email
Housing

City wants to fund nonprofits to promote emergency rental assistance to people affect by COVID-19.

The Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program is being implemented in August by the City of Austin (COA) and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) to provide rent assistance for income-eligible Austin renters that live within the city limits and are financially impacted by COVID-19. To reach communities identified in the May RENT program pilot, the City is partnering with community-based organizations that have a demonstrated record of success reaching out to focused populations.

FOCUSED POPULATIONS IMPACTED BY COVID-19

  • Low-income residents of Austin (Travis County) in targeted zip codes
  • African American/Black and Latinx(a/o)
  • Large households or families with children
  • People with disabilities
  • Veterans
  • People with Limited English Proficiency

ELIGIBILITY, FUNDING, AND TIMELINE

Grant applications will be evaluated on the quality of work proposed and the potential impact or outcome of the project, acknowledging barriers that some small organizations face by not having an on-staff grant writer. Listed below is the evaluation matrix that will be used for consideration:

  • Program Description                
  • Outreach/Marketing Plan         
  • Experience/Qualifications        
  • Program Budget                      
  • Reporting Requirements

Managed by the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department (NHCD), requested funds will range from $1,000 to $50,000. The community outreach grant application portal opens Tuesday, August 11 at 9:00 AM CST and is available to small businesses and non-profit organizations with priority given to established non-profit and 501C3s with a demonstrated record of engaging identified populations. The grant term will be for at least 1 month with a possible extension based on need and availability of funding up to 5 months. The application portal will close on Tuesday, August 25 at 4:00 PM CST.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

To be considered for funding, applicants must submit their application online via the RENT Community Outreach Grant dashboard.

Please direct questions to Ursula Henderson by e-mail at ursula.henderson@austintexas.gov for further information pertaining to the application.

 

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