Housing Stability Services Program
What is Housing Stability Services?
Housing Stability Services (HSS) is a community-based program that helps eligible households to maintain or obtain stable, affordable housing. For Individuals/families who live in Hays, Caldwell, Blanco, or Guadalupe County and are homeless or at risk of homelessness or housing instability due to or during the COVID-19 pandemic, online applications are being accepted for assistance with Rental and Utility deposits (while funds last.) Application can be found near the bottom of the page.
Who Can Get Help Through this Program?
You MUST live in one of the following counties:
-
- Hays County
- Caldwell County
- Guadalupe County
- Blanco County
- Residents who are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of becoming homeless
- Residents who are in unstable housing or are at risk of having unstable housing
- These residents must also have experienced financial hardship due to OR during the Covid-19 pandemic
What Kind of Help Can I Get Through This Program?
- Rental Security/Pet deposits (Lease term must be 6 months or longer. Month to Month lease is not allowed)
- Rental Application Fees
- Utility Deposits
- Short Term Hotel Stays (must be in case management working on housing goals with a case manager)
- Case Management
- Rental and Utility Assistance for residents of the City of San Marcos only.
For City of San Marcos Residents only:
The City of San Marcos has provided grant funds for assistance for rental units located in the city limits of San Marcos.
Residents whose address is in the City Limits of San Marcos may qualify for up to 3 months of rental assistance if:
-
- Resident is facing eviction. Provide eviction documentation and case number
- Tenant can demonstrate they will be able to pay the rent for the month following assistance
Residents whose address is in the City Limits of San Marcos may qualify for utility assistance if:
-
- Utilities have been disconnected or a utility disconnection notice has been received
To check if your address is in the City Limits of San Marcos, please visit: https://cosm.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=a8d3d7f3c1774e3084be0e94c6327702
What Information is Needed?
Income requirement:
-
- Household income must be below 80% Area Median Income (listed in the tables below). A Household is defined as all persons occupying the same housing unit, regardless of their relationship to each other.
Hays, Caldwell, and Blanco County 80% Area Median Income (AMI)
Household Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Income 80% | $57,330 | $65,520 | $77,460 | $93,450 | $100,950 | $108,450 | $115,900 | $123,400 |
Levels are from the HUD income limit documentation system
Guadalupe County 80% Area Median Income (AMI) levels from the HUD income limit documentation system are listed below.
Household Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Income 80% | $49,150 | $56,200 | $63,200 | $70,200 | $75,850 | $81,450 | $87,050 | $92,700 |
Levels are from the HUD income limit documentation system
Income Verification Methods and required income documentation:
For ALL household members 18 years of age or above, provide income documentation using one of the 3 options below:
Option 1: Eligibility through Another Program
One of the following can be used to verify household income:
- If household has 6 or fewer members and is receiving assistance through Head Start, SNAP, LIHEAP/CEAP, TANF, Tribal TANF, or Supplemental Security Income (for the applicant or co-applicant), provide a letter or documentation of that program eligibility
- Veterans Affairs Disability Pension, Survivor Pension, Enhanced Survivor Benefits, or Section 306 disability pension (not standard VA pension)
- WIC for households with three or fewer members
- If in a rent-restricted property or public housing unit or receiving tenant-based or Section 8 rental assistance, provide evidence of most recent income certification no older than one year from when applied for assistance.
Option 2: Annual Income Documentation for EACH Adult Household Member
Most Recent Filed IRS Tax Return Form 1040 or an IRS Tax Return Transcript
or
Source documents evidencing annual income (e.g. wage statement, W2s, interest
statement, unemployment compensation statement).
Option 3: Monthly Income Documentation for EACH Adult Household Member
All applicable income documentation for past 30 days for each household member:
-
- Alimony
- Cash Income (certification)
- Gross Pay at time of application: Pay stubs covering the most recent thirty
(30) day-period or current letter from employer verifying gross wages (pay
rate, hours/week, pay date) - Current Pension/Retirement Benefits letter (if applicable)
- Investment Income
- No Income (certification)
- Pension
- Retirement
- Self-Employment (certification)
- Social Security
- Disability
- Unemployment Compensation
What Other Documents are Needed?
- A Government Issued Photo ID
- Utility Connection Fee Statement (if applicable)
- Lease (if applicable)
How to Apply:
If you need assistance filling out/submitting your application, please text or call the BR3T office at (512) 522-4453 to schedule an appointment. Walk in hours are 9am-1pm, Monday through Friday. The BR3T office is located at the Best Budget Inn, 903 S IH 35 Frontage Rd, San Marcos, TX 78666 - next to Fuego Tortilla Grill.
Step 1. How it Works
- For individuals/families who live in Hays, Caldwell, Blanco, or Guadalupe County and are homeless or at risk of homelessness or housing instability due to or during the COVID-19 pandemic, online applications are being accepted for assistance with Rental and Utility deposits (while funds last.)
- You must click submit on the last page. You will receive an automated email that your application was successfully submitted.
- An online request does not guarantee financial assistance will be provided. Please do not submit more than one request for assistance.
- Complete the application by clicking on the green button below in Step 3.
- For additional questions, send an email to Support@BR3T.org. If you do not have access to email, you may text or leave a voice message at 512-256-0269.
Step 2. Prepare Your Documents
- Have the required documents listed above ready to upload into the online form (you may also take photos within the form to upload them).
- It is recommended to complete the application in one sitting. If you need to, you may save the application by creating an account and return to complete it later.
- You need your annual household income amount which includes income for all household members aged 18 or over.
- Allow yourself enough time to complete the application. It is recommended to complete the application in one sitting. If you need to, you may save the application by creating an account and return to complete it later. An email will be sent to you with the link to finish.
Step 3. Complete the Application
Click on the green button to start the application:
Step 4. What Happens Next
- You will receive an automated email that your application was successfully submitted.
- We will contact you if there is any further information or documentation that we require.
- We will respond to you via email. Please be patient; processing your application will take time.
- Payments for rental and utility deposits will be made directly to landlords and utility companies.
For technical assistance with the application, send an email to Support@BR3T.org with the subject line: Technical Assistance. If you do not have access to email, you may text or leave a voice message at 512-256-0269.