Buzz Session 7: How did ERA really perform in Texas? –
The Department of Treasury launched its Emergency Rental Assistance Program in March of 2021 with Texas receiving $2.4 billion dollars to aid with families and individuals struggling to stay housed during the pandemic. Now nearly 18 months later, Texas Housers has observed the manner in which the State of Texas and 37 localities within have distributed this essential rental assistance and closely reviewed 10 major programs in our latest report ‘Emergency Rental Assistance in Texas: How it went and what happens now.’
On today’s Buzz Session of A Little Louder, we hear from the report’s author, research analyst Erin Hahn, to ask her how the ERA program was seen in different regions of Texas, how the Federal government’s hands off approach had pros and cons, and what should be done to prevent displacement and evictions in the future using lessons from this program.
You can read the report on our blog and keep posted here on Texas Housers’ website for a companion report on evictions in January.
Episode 50: What’s happening in housing at the 2023 Texas Legislature? –
It’s a new year and a new session, the 88th to be exact, of the Texas Legislature. Communications Manager Michael Depland sits down with Research Director Ben Martin to break down the housing bills with the biggest potential impacts this session including issues regarding the construction of affordable housing, fighting for tenants’ rights, and much more including how you can get involved and keep up with what’s happening at the Capitol.
Follow housing bills on our website: https://texashousers.org/2023-texas-legislature/
Texas Tenants For Change petition for Renters’ Rights: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYY9Me5XiN7wyt6YPeMa7x5aTlK1YlmcUj9rK7zEXfyrTkmQ/viewform
Episode 51: Housers and Allies at the Capitol (Part 1) –
This supersized episode of A Little Louder features two special guests to talk about bills affecting low-income households at the 88th session of the Texas Legislature. Eric Samuels, President and CEO of Texas Homeless Network and Tanya Lavelle, Policy Specialist from Disability Rights Texas each have worked in the Texas Legislature (and beside Texas Housers) for many years and both joined the show to talk about the legislation they are championing that will help low-income households, what they are optimistic about following a down 2021 session, and how everyone can get involved in the legislative process.
Follow housing bills on our website: https://texashousers.org/2023-texas-legislature/
Episode 52: From Eviction Courts to the Capitol (Part 2) –
A Little Louder is back to talk about the latest in housing from the 88th Session. Texas Housers has been tracking a number of specific bills at the 2023 Texas Legislature that directly impact those who interface with the eviction process. Jessica Vittorio, managing attorney at the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, has a unique perspective as someone who both works in Justice of the Peace courts as well as at the Texas Legislature in order to bring balance and equity for tenants in the eviction process. In this episode, we are talking about proposed legislation that could preempt great strides made locally here in Texas as well as other more positive opportunities to give renters in this state rights which are enjoyed almost everywhere else in our country.
Episode 53: Midway Update at the 88th Session –
In this halftime report from the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature, or perhaps a little later in the game, Texas Housers’ research director Ben Martin joins A Little Louder to provide updates on bills regarding eviction preemption, funding for renters, and other tenant protections. Also, Ben and communications manager Michael Depland discuss how renters can make themselves seen as equally as homeowners at the State Capitol.