Eviction prevention and rehousing in Denton County.
Non-profits, charities, and government agencies operate eviction assistance programs for low income families that are threatened with an eviction from their landlord. There is pro-active help provided in Denton County Texas, but for those residents that have no other options available, then they can apply for rapid rehousing and/or relocation services. Everything from financial help to case management, referrals, and more is arranged by organizations such as Christian Community Action or Giving HOPE, Inc.
Grants for paying rental or utility bill arrears will come with various criteria that need to be met. The most critical one is that the applicant will be required to either have a job or they need to have some type of cash coming in the door. The tenant's income can be from social security, TANF, SSI disability, employment, welfare in Texas, unemployment, etc.. This is the only way money will be given to them. So the applicant needs to prove they can afford to live on their own after the assistance ends.
Often times this is not possible. The applicant may be so far behind on their rent that the using funds to try to stop the eviction is a waste of resources. In these cases, other options will be explored, such as mediation, placement into transitional housing in Denton County, or something else.
For people facing a short term reduction in their income that could lead to an eviction (or an unexpected bill), then lawyers from free legal services will try to stop homelessness from occurring. The goal is to avert court actions through landlord and tenant mediation sessions. Legal Aid of Northwest Texas has an office in Denton. Call (940) 383-1406.
As this is ongoing, the staff from groups including Denton County Friends of the Family will help clients apply to other community-based assistance programs that may bring greater housing stability. Some of the options for stopping an eviction in Denton County may include job training or placement, free credit counseling classes, debt reduction, and veterans’ services programs, including SSVF for housing needs.
Relocation and rehousing in Denton County
When a family has been evicted, and is now living in a shelter, motel, or is homeless, HUD rapid rehousing is used. The goal is to stabilize their living conditions as well as use a holistic approach to help the client become stable. ESG grants can stop eviction, and the Denton County Homeless Coalition (DCHC) is a key source of information.
This program will get them into a new, stable living environment as soon as possible. In some cases, this may include a voucher to pay for a motel room to get a family off the streets. Then, after the client has a source of income and has saved some money, the next step may be them moving into a new income based apartment in Denton County. In these cases, grants may pay for some of the rental deposit that is due. Or they may be moved up on the waiting list for a section 8 HUD voucher in Texas.
Tenants in Denton County that are no longer able to afford the rent on their apartment can apply for relocation. This is often used when a person has had a change in their financial situation. Maybe they are divorced, or a roommate moved out, or maybe the landlord is trying to increase the rent above what the family can afford. Relocation is used to move the resident before they are evicted.
Clients will work with a case manager from a non-profit in Denton County so they can gain access to decent, affordable apartments. The non-profits in the area offer relocation services in an effort with local landlords, developers of affordable housing, real estate agents, and public housing authorities (PHA). The goal is to work as a community and coordinate resources to place people into a home that their income will support.
Denton County relocation programs also offers the possibility of financial help. Using HUD as well as United Way grants, the non-profits may offer money to pay for security deposits, lease application fees, as well as moving costs. Also, when an apartment has been found, the formerly evicted client can be given free furniture, appliances, bedding, and more. The goal is to give them help up front, thereby freeing up the tenant's income for their rent so they will not be evicted in the future.
Find and apply for homeless prevention services
For more information on eviction prevention services, or other emergency support to stop homelessness, call (817) 534-0814, 817-413-3921 or 972-221-1224 for referrals. The Denton County Homeless Coalition is also an effective resource. Many services will be explored.
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