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Oct 22

October 22, 2020 TML Coronavirus Update #139

Posted on October 22, 2020 at 2:36 PM by TML Staff

Urgent Updates
 
What’s new with the Texas Eviction Diversion Program?

The Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) is a partnership between the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and Office of Court Administration to help tenants who can’t keep up with rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic and who have been sued for eviction to keep their current living situation. If both the landlord and tenant agree to participate in the program, the TEDP can provide up to five months of past-due rent payments, and for up to six months of future rent payments.

The entities administering the program published this TEDP informational brochure, which must be included with all notices that a tenant has been sued for eviction (where the program is currently effective).

As of October 12, the TEDP is in a pilot phase in 19 Texas counties – Bee, Bexar, Brazos, Chambers, Deaf Smith, El Paso, Erath, Fannin, Grayson, Harris, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Montgomery, Palo Pinto, Parker, Potter, Randall, San Patricio, and Wise. During the pilot phase, eligibility for TEDP is limited to those under 200% of poverty. The TEDP is scheduled to become effective in all counties on November 9.

Interested city officials can access more detailed TEDP information on the Texas Courts website and the TDHCA website.

Where can city officials go for guidance on how to conduct elections during a pandemic?

As a reminder, the Texas Secretary of State has been an excellent resource to Texas cities by providing election advisories to help local officials navigate the challenges of the pandemic.
 
Further Updates

Where can I find archived issues of the TML Coronavirus Updates?

TML Coronavirus Updates are archived by date here and by subject here.