DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas (DHA) announces that it has successfully distributed all allocated rent relief funds through the City of Dallas COVID-19 Rent Relief program. DHA was authorized to distribute up to $19 million in funding through the program which began on August 18, 2022. DHA fully allocated all funds as of September 27, 2022.
The City of Dallas COVID-19 Rent Relief program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, is a federally funded initiative designed to help low-income households and people who have been adversely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic through loss of income or who sustained a reduction in income and are delinquent in paying rent.
Through the program, DHA provides up to 18 months of rental assistance to applicants and landlords. This was the second distribution of federal rent relief funds from DHA granted through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Individuals that received assistance from the 2020-2021 ERAP disbursement are eligible for monthly assistance less the number of months they received assistance during the first distribution. For example, if an applicant received three months of rent assistance in 2020-21, they are eligible for 15 months of support in 2022-23.
To date, DHA has approved rent assistance for 1,779 eligible Dallas families through the new 2022 disbursement. The agency developed an efficient process for families to apply for available resources via an online portal, with some applicants receiving approval for assistance within one week.
“Many families are in great need as they continue to recover from the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased to have streamlined the application process to make it easier for Dallas residents to get the help they genuinely need,” says Dr. Myriam Igoufe, Chief Research and Innovation Officer of DHA. “Our team is proud of the efficient and user-friendly platform that we leveraged to quickly process applications and payments for our families seeking relief for this round of funding,” she concludes.
DHA is the tenth largest public housing authority (PHA) in the nation. The agency provides affordable housing opportunities for over 55,700 people through public housing developments and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which includes $22,250,000 contributed to the local economy each month.
“DHA assists low-income families and individuals each day through efficient administration of housing assistance programs across North Texas. We are honored to have provided assistance in an effective manner through our second round of ERAP funding as we continue to combat the financial hardships associated with the pandemic,” says Troy Broussard, President and CEO of DHA.
To check our website for updates on funding availability, visit dallasrentrelief.com.
About DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas (formerly the Dallas Housing Authority)
DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas provides quality, affordable housing to low-income families and individuals through the effective and efficient administration of housing assistance programs. The agency aims to create opportunities for program participants to achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. DHA provides housing opportunities to ~55,000 people through public housing developments and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs. Our mission is to provide affordable quality housing and access to supportive resources across North Texas. DHA is governed by its Board of Commissioners and administers housing programs funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. DHA is an independent, local government entity that is separate from the Dallas City Housing/Community Services department, which is governed by the City of Dallas. For more information about DHA, please visit www.dhantx.com.
