The Texas Rent Relief program stopped taking new applications at 5 p.m. Friday, citing more requests than money available. However, the City of San Antonio says its Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), which pays rent or mortgage, and utility bills for San Antonio residents affected by the pandemic, still has enough money to last through the end of the year.

Nonprofits and the city of San Antonio are forced to stretch their budget as the price of homes and building materials rise, presenting a challenge in creating affordable housing for low-income communities.

SAN ANTONIO – A city program meant to help struggling families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic pay their bills has paid out more than half of the money available, and city staff expect it to run out of funds sometime in September. City staff said 97% get help for more than one month. So there’s a lot more awareness from people facing eviction about our program,” Soto said. Most of the denials were because someone did not live within the city limits of San Antonio, Soto said. The budget year begins Oct. 1, and city staff are scheduled to present a proposed budget to city council members on Aug. 6.