Beat the Clock: Get Your Homeowner Assistance Fund Grant Application in Before the Deadline!
Bexar County, Texas homeowners are running out of time to apply for pivotal financial assistance to cover their overdue property taxes, mortgages, and utility bills, as the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) grant program is set to close its application window within two to four weeks.
Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti sounded the alarm this Friday, revealing that the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has signaled the imminent cessation of the HAF grant program, a lifeline launched to aid residents grappling with economic hardships exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is a non-repayable financial aid initiative, a crucial distinction emphasized by Uresti as he fervently encouraged eligible individuals to capitalize on this “once-in-a-lifetime federal assistance opportunity.”
For those keen on seizing this opportunity, the requisite application should be lodged through the Texas Homeowner Assistance online portal. The application process necessitates the submission of several documents such as an ID card, evidence of overdue mortgage or tax statements, insurance documents, and proofs of occupancy and income. This procedural diligence ensures a seamless process in the acquisition of grants that span not only covering arrearages but also foreseeing and aiding with up to three future months of mortgage and utility payments.
The program outlines a considerable assistance ceiling, where a household can secure a grant up to $65,000, carving out a substantial $10,000 exclusively for utility assistance encompassing a range of utilities like electricity, metered and non-metered propane, natural gas, water, and wastewater services. The substantial funding pot driving this program originates from the American Rescue Plan Act instituted in 2021.
Delving into the program’s impact thus far, Uresti showcased a robust track record, with over $70 million already disbursed, benefiting over 7,000 households in Bexar County. Further delineating the County’s success, Uresti noted that Bexar outperformed other counties in terms of property tax aid, drawing over $19.6 million from the program to assist its residents, thereby holding a unique position among the 254 counties benefitting from this initiative.
As Uresti underscored the unparalleled service offered by the Tax assessor-collector’s office, he maintained a palpable emphasis on their central mission to sustain families in their residences during these turbulent times, a mission echoed vividly through the HAF program’s remarkable contributions.
To further facilitate residents in this endeavor, the downtown Tax Office opens its doors from Tuesday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., offering assistance in navigating the application process. Moreover, for those seeking to grasp more about the initiative, information is readily accessible through the program’s website or via a call to the Texas Homeowner Assistance hotline at 833-651-3874. Uresti urges residents to act swiftly, to leverage this substantial financial support, and to secure a more stable financial footing in these uncertain times.
