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1. What is the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

The COVID-19 Rental Assistance program provide rental assistance to households adversely affected by COVID-19.

2. What are the minimum eligibility requirements to participate in the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program?

City of Garland residents in danger of being evicted due to COVID-19 related job or income loss.

Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

3. Who is not eligible?

• Individuals and families living in public housing or using housing vouchers
• Households that have already received Federal CARES Act money from another agency
• Families living in rental units owned by immediate family members. Immediate family ties include (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) the spouse, parent (including a stepparent), child (including a stepchild), brother, sister (including a stepbrother or stepsister), grandparent, grandchild, and in-laws

4. Do I get the money directly?

No, the money is paid directly to the landlord for rental assistance. 

5. Do I need any documents to qualify for the program?

Yes. You must have at least the documents listed below before you begin the pre-screening process online or over the phone.

The following will be required for pre-screening:

• Participants must provide documentation of the impact of COVID-19 to their circumstance, including but not limited to the following:
  • Proof of job/income loss, temporary or permanent
  • Reduction in work hours/income
  • Increased healthcare and household expenses that attributed to insufficiency of rent/mortgage payments (i.e. increased child-care expenses due to school closures).
• Copies of the following: valid, current Passport or State ID Card or Driver’s license (for each adult in the household)
• Birth Certificate for at least each minor.
• Proof of income, if any (unemployment benefits, check stubs, TANF, etc.)
• Proof of occupancy for all household members (lease)

Additional documents may be needed as applicants progress through the process:

• For those applying for rental assistance:
  • a copy of your current lease; and
  • a late or eviction notice(s) for monthly rent or proof of circumstance (any paperwork that can support how the household was adversely affected by COVID-19)

6. I do have access to the internet, how do I apply for COVID-19 mortgage / rental assistance?

Please visit the Recovery Resources page for the submittal details for your income level and need.

7. Will you collect my documents during the pre-screening process?

No, but applicants must have them ready to submit before the pre-screening process. Applications are being processed on a first come first serve basis, the next step, depending on where an application is in line, is to hear from a case manager. If the case manager contacts the applicant, they will request at least the documents listed above. Applicants may also be required to submit additional documents as they progress through the assistance process.

8. How long will it take to process my application?

Processing time depends on the applicant. The average length is four weeks from the time of the intake appointment until payment has been processed and sent to the landlord.

9. Do I have to pay the money back?

No. The assistance is in the form of a grant, not a loan.

10. How much assistance is available for my family?

The funds will be paid directly to the landlord. The length of assistance is up to three months and in an amount up to $1,200 a month per eligible household.

11. Will late fees from landlords, mortgage lenders, or utility providers be an eligible item for assistance?

No, late fees will not be covered by this program.

12. Where did you get the money for the program?

Funds for the COVID-19 Rental/Mortgage Assistance Program were provided by Congress through the CARES Act to support COVID-19 relief.