Rent

Hays County is one of 14 entities across the country that's having funds taken back by the federal government for failing to meet spending deadlines.

A recent audit of the program found that, as of Sept. 30, Hays County spent about $166,000 — or 2.4% — of the nearly $7 million it was awarded from the federal government.

Many families are under financial stress, parents see kids seriously behind in school, huge rent bills and looming evictions and delayed medical care has negative consequences, to name a few.

When it launched in February, the Texas Rent Relief program struggled to help tenants who'd fallen behind on rent due to the pandemic. In the first six weeks, just 250 Texans got help, out of the 72,000 people who applied.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is moving to extend an order aimed at preventing evictions during the pandemic. Housing groups say the order could prevent up to 1 million evictions.

Renters can apply for up to 15 months of current, future or past rent as far back as April 2020.

Some renters have moved in with family or friends during the pandemic, while others have bought houses. As a result, more apartments are vacant.

“It’s bad for the economy. It’s bad for people. … It has a ripple effect when rent isn’t paid.”

The statewide program will start on Feb. 15 and will be able to help tenants with past and future rent.

The City of Austin says fewer people have applied for rental assistance than expected. It's given out just $1.3 million so far of roughly $13 million…