Having provided rental assistance to over 8200 households that experienced economic hardship as a result of or during COVID-19, the rental assistance program served the community and prevented evictions and homelessness within the City and County of El Paso.
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 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.
Complete the rental assistance application
Submit complete application
Landlords verify the rent that is owed by tenant
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
It is the Landlord´s and Tenant’s responsibility to submit any change(s) to banking information and/or property ownership to BakerRipley at: eprent@bakerripley.org
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.
