Families in Collin County who are facing eviction or who are homeless can receive assistance. If you are experiencing a financial hardship, there is aid and case management services available to help you. The number of homeless families and children is increasing, so eviction prevention programs could help end the crisis.
The amount of money each agency has to spend varies. The non-profits in Plano and other cities in Collin County need to fill out a form called the application for HUD money. There may be funds available to low income families based on what they are awarded.
The money can be used to pay for different things like rent arrears, moving costs, or accommodations in a motel for a night or two. This can help to stop an eviction. Some other common uses for grants include paying for utility connection fees, telephone deposits, and landlord application fees. The resources available to clients are focused on preventing eviction or homelessness.
The goal is to stop homelessness and evictions for every resident of Collin County who is threatened with a short term hardship. However, this is not possible in many cases. Some tenants are so far behind in rent or their financial situation is so out of control, that the only option is to place them into a shelter.
If a family has children, they will be a priority for eviction help, including single parents. There is a focus on helping Collin County residents who are employed and have a source of income, but who may have an unexpected bill or expense come up. Each agency that works to prevent homelessness has to make difficult decisions about who to help.
If you are a Collin County resident and are struggling financially, you may qualify for assistance. A quick evaluation will be done to determine if you are eligible for assistance. Families in need, the unemployed, and those with eviction notices from their landlords or the court will explore what services they need and qualify for.
After the client has been through the intake process, volunteers from a local non-profit will help direct the client to available programs. All possible options will be looked at, whether it is advice from an attorney to negotiate a solution with a landlord, or emergency assistance from an ESG grant. It is important to follow up after taking care of a problem to make sure that it has been resolved.
Non-profits in Collin County that can help with evictions also have programs to help people become self-sufficient. This will help the tenant become financially stable again and is an important service to use after any financial assistance has been given. The government provides grants for rent arrears, which, combined with self-sufficiency, can reduce the levels of homelessness in Collin County.
These self-sufficiency services will have a case manager that will meet with the clients every month to see the progress being made to have a stable housing. The goals will focus on getting a job, saving money, and repairing credit, among other things. The client and staff member will meet to discuss the family’s progress in becoming self-sufficient.
This is when the rehousing process into a permanent home may begin, after stability has been achieved. The agencies in Collin County will try to get a family into a new apartment or home even if they are not able to stop the eviction. The component provides financial assistance for case management services and other associated costs, such as moving costs, storage fees, and security deposits.
How to apply for homeless prevention and rehousing in Collin County
When you need help from an agency, they may let you come in and talk to someone. However, this is only to make an appointment for a later date. Collin County residents who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage and are at risk of being evicted can seek assistance by calling the Eviction Prevention hotline. If you need help, you can call (972) 422-1125 for referrals.