Landlord enrollment begins April 19th. Tenants may apply starting April 22nd. The rental assistance program will remain open until all rental assistance funding has been pledged.
In 2020, tenants and landlords across the City of El Paso benefitted from millions of dollars in rental assistance to help combat housing insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For 2021, the EP Rent Help program has expanded to include residents of El Paso County in addition to residents within the City of El Paso and funding is available to help residential tenants whose income is at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) who are behind in paying their rent and are at risk of eviction because of a direct economic impact of COVID-19.
Eligible tenants may apply for rental assistance of past due rent. Landlords are encouraged to participate and enroll in the rental assistance program, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the program.
Tenants,
Residential tenants must apply through their landlords for rental assistance for past due rent.
Rental assistance will be distributed on a priority basis to those most in need, and who are at risk of eviction.
The program is limited to residential tenants living in the City of El Paso who are not receiving other federal housing assistance. Immigration status will not be requested nor be a factor in determining funding awards.
Property owners/property management companies sign up to be a participating landlord.
In this step, landlords will:
Confirm residence is within the City or County of El Paso
Review and agree to the terms and conditions of the program
Share property and banking Information
BakerRipley verifies landlord enrollment. If verified, the properties will be listed in the Participation Directory.
Open until all available rental assistance has been pledged.
Complete the rental assistance application
Provide necessary supporting documentation
Submit complete application
Open until all available rental assistance has been pledged.
Landlords verify the rent that is owed by tenant
Open until all available rental assistance has been pledged.
Once an application is submitted, program staff reviews the applications
When an application is approved, landlords and tenants will receive a pledge
BakerRipley will then disburse pledged rental assistance payment to the landlord
Open until all available rental assistance has been pledged.
For questions about the application process, contact the United Way of El Paso County’s Community Resiliency Center at (877) 594-7276.
Search for your landlord in the Participation Directory starting April 22nd.
If they are not listed, encourage your landlord to enroll here.
Calculate your past due rent amount(s) for the month of April 2020 or any month after April 2020.
Confirm your eligibility based on current household income (below 80% of AMI)
Prepare the documents you'll need to provide to your landlord.
New supporting documents are required. Please read carefully.
Prepare to apply online.
To qualify for assistance,
You must live in a residential rental property within the City of El Paso or County of El Paso limits including unincorporated areas of the county and within the incorporated limits of El Paso, Horizon City, San Elizario, Socorro, Clint, Vinton or Anthony, Texas.
Confirm your landlord is listed in the Participation Directory
You will be able to submit an application even if your landlord chooses not to participate. Approval process for tenants whose landlords are not participating may take longer, since the program has to reach out to the landlord three times over ten days before moving forward to approve direct payment to the tenant, according to program guidelines.
Be behind on rent payment(s) as far back as April 2020.
Be unable to pay rent due to economic harm from COVID-19 and are therefore at risk of eviction.
Your current household income is less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Income from Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks not to be included as AMI.
Income from Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks, are not to be included as AMI.
Assess no penalties, late fees or interest to a tenant’s account for the months for which rental assistance is received;
Provide tenant credit for any partial payments;
Rescind or cancel any prior notice to vacate and/or dismiss any eviction suit filed within 5 business days of receiving rent assistance payment;
Not interfere with the tenant’s possession of the unit by changing the locks, cutting off utilities or removing appliances;
Accept partial payments of rent and cap monthly late fees to $25.00 for tenants who become delinquent on payment of rent within two (2) months of receiving assistance;
Be able to accept rental assistance payments via Automated Clearing House (ACH);
Credit payment received to the tenant’s account within 5 days of receipt;
Return any overpayments of rent to BakerRipley within 5 calendar days;
Repay funds for breach of contract;
Comply with local, state, and federal eviction moratorium laws and federal anti-discrimination laws.