Some in Dallas may qualify for financial aid to pay their rent or mortgage as the city launched its mortgage and rental assistance program Monday, as well as a fund to help small businesses. The city has set aside $6.1 million for rent and mortgage aid and $5 million for small businesses.
Dallas residents could submit their applications for housing assistance online beginning at 9 a.m. Monday – they’ll be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. If approved, eligible households could get up to $1,500 for up to three months.
Demand crashed the city's website for a while on the first day the city took applications. Officials said the website was intermittently unavailable Monday due to high volume.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said on Twitter that 936 applications were submitted during the first 15 minutes. And more than 1,500 applications were submitted during the first hour.
People without online access can call Tuesday starting at 9 a.m. at 469-749-6500.
Applicants will go through a prescreening process to show how COVID-19 has affected them. This includes providing proof of disrupted employment, reduced work hours or income, and increased medical and household expenses.
Homeowners must provide a copy of their mortgage statement, and renters need a copy of their lease and a late payment or eviction notice.
Small business owners who apply for financial aid will be selected through a lottery process. Those that are chosen will get up to $10,000 in grants and up to $50,000 in low-cost loans.
To qualify, businesses must show they were operating six months prior to March 16. They also must show they a 25% drop in revenue.
Residents and business owners can access applications through the city of Dallas' website.
City of Dallas COVID-19 relief programs launch Monday, May 4. Here's a checklist of requirements and the process for pre-screening.
— City of Dallas (@CityOfDallas) May 1, 2020
𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟰. pic.twitter.com/qL7a9FSS8c
This story has been updated.
