Houston passes grace period ordinance to help protect renters from eviction lmtonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lmtonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Houston hopes to pair rent relief cash with ordinance to temporarily bar evictions
FacebookTwitterEmail
The city is planning to pursue a “grace period” ordinance that could block tenant evictions through the end of March, fulfilling a request sought by housing advocates since at least last summer as the economic toll of the ongoing pandemic continued to grow.
Mayor Sylvester Turner said he will put the ordinance on next Wednesday’s council agenda, potentially adding a crucial layer of protection for tenants while city officials work with Harris County and nonprofit groups to distribute some $159 million in rental relief.
The county approved its side of the rent relief deal Tuesday, and the governments and nonprofits hope to begin accepting applications from landlords as soon as next week.
Houston, Harris County team up on $159M rent relief program they hope to launch this month
FacebookTwitterEmail
Alain Cisneros, an activist with FIEL Houston, distributes fliers with information about eviction proceedings at the Redford Apartments last week.Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer
Houston and Harris County are teaming up to launch a $159 million relief program for area tenants struggling to make rent, the largest local investment in housing aid to date, made possible by the stimulus package Congress approved late last year.
Some details of the program were not yet finalized, although the county on Tuesday approved contracts with nonprofits BakerRipley and Catholic Charities. The city plans to do the same Wednesday.
Turner to offer grace period ordinance to block evictions in Houston through March
FacebookTwitterEmail
1of3
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner talks to the media outside HOPE Clinic as patients get their COVID-19 vaccinations in the Houston clinic on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021.Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
2of3
A notice of lease violation during a press event outside the Edge Apartments on East Houston Street Sunday afternoon. Residents discussed eviction notices and other issue s with the eastside complex.Robin Jerstad / Robin JerstadShow MoreShow Less
3of3
The city is planning to pursue a “grace period” ordinance that could block evictions in the city through the end of March, fulfilling a long-sought request by housing advocates.
A federal order keeping renters from eviction is about to expire. What happens next?
FacebookTwitterEmail
Larry Warner, left, who is facing eviction, talks to an attorney during a mobile clinic at Harvest Time Church on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, in Houston, Texas. Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office in collaboration with the Eviction Defense Coalition hired 10 recent law school graduates to provide pro bono assistance.Godofredo A. Vásquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer
With the COVID stimulus bill suddenly in limbo after President Donald Trump said he would not immediately sign off on it, a possible extension on a federal order meant to provide legal protection for tenants facing eviction in the middle of the pandemic is still set to expire Dec. 31.