Collin County eviction assistance programs and homeless prevention.
Families that are facing eviction or that are homeless in Collin County can receive assistance. There is financial aid and case management services for residents that have experienced an unexpected, short hardship. With the number of homeless families and even children continuing to increase in the county, these eviction prevention programs can be one option for ending the crisis.
Each agency has varying levels of financial resources available to them. The non-profits in Plano and other cities in Collin County need to apply to the federal government HUD organization for money each year. Based on what is awarded to them, there may be funds available to qualified low income families.
The money can be used to pay for everything from rent arrears to stop an eviction to moving costs or accommodations in a motel for a night or two. Other uses of grant can be for utility connection fees, telephone deposits, and landlord application fees. The resources available to clients have a strict focus on any eviction or homelessness prevention services.
The goal is to stop homelessness and evictions for every resident of Collin County that is threatened with a short term hardship. However this can't be reasonably done in many cases. Some tenants are so far behind or their financial situation is so out of control, there are no other options then maybe placement into a shelter.
Also, due to limited funding, priority for any eviction help is for families with children, including single parents. There is also a focus on helping those Collin County residents that are employed and have a source of income, but maybe they have an unexpected bill or expense come up. So each of the agencies that may be able to prevent homeless have to make a hard decision on who to assist.
When applying for assistance, any Collin County family that is struggling, and that qualifies for assistance, will have a quick evaluation done. Families, the unemployed, and residents that have an eviction letter from their landlord or the court will explore what services they need as well as qualify for.
After the intake process has been completed, volunteers from a local non-profit will direct the client to the programs available. Whether it is advice from an attorney to negotiate a solution with a landlord, or emergency assistance from an ESG grant, all options are reviewed. Follow-up is always a part of this process as well, as it will help ensure that that the problems get resolved.
Collin County non-profits that can offer any type of eviction help also operate self-sufficiency programs. This will assist the tenant with getting back on track, and is a critical service to use after any financial aid has been provided. The combination of grants from the government for rent arrears as well as self-sufficiency can be combine to cut down on the levels of homelessness in Collin County.
Clients of these self-sufficiency services will also have a case manager meet with them on a monthly basis to track progress towards housing stability. There will be a number of goals set around employment, savings, and credit repair, among others. During these meets the client and staff member will review the progress of the family in becoming self-sufficient.
Once stability has been achieved, this is when the rehousing process into a permanent home may begin. While the goal is to always stop the eviction before it gets to this point, when those cases it can't be done the agencies in Collin County will still try to get a family into a new apartment or home. This component includes the still ongoing case management services as well as assistance to pay for everything from moving costs, storage fees, to a security deposit.
How to apply for homeless prevention and rehousing in Collin County
When seeking help, an agency may allow someone to walk in, but this will only be to make an appointment for a later date. Other struggling Collin County residents seek assistance in dealing with an eviction notice using the phone. For more details, call (972) 422-1125 for referrals.
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