Austin Tenants Council

Will Wildfire Displaced Flood Rental Market?

austintenantscouncil — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:45:45 +0000

Will Wildfire Displaced Flood Rental Market?.

Settlement reached in Tempe fair-housing case

austintenantscouncil — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:59:00 +0000

Settlement reached in Tempe fair-housing case.

Hall Financial Group Ltd. is a Texas-based management company.

Area apartments could go tobacco-free

austintenantscouncil — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:05:44 +0000

It’s already banned in bars and restaurants, but now some property managers are considering making area apartment complexes tobacco-free as well. They say it’s a win-win situation for owners and tenants alike, if the smoke stays outside. More…

Facing foreclosure? Apply for help!

austintenantscouncil — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:00:22 +0000

Austin residents facing foreclosure have three weeks to apply for up to $50,000 in mortgage assistance.

A federal Emergency Homeowners’ Loan program is now available in Texas and the City of Austin is sharing this opportunity with residents. Pre-screening applications will be accepted through July 22, 2011.

Mortgage assistance is available for up to $50,000 for up to 24 months through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program seeks to assist homeowners who have become unemployed or underemployed due to the economic downturn or a medical condition.

Business and Community Lenders (BCL) of Texas is one of 11 nonprofit, HUD-approved counseling agencies and local NeighborWorks organizations across Texas that will assist homeowners during pre-screening.

Visit www.ehlptexas.org or call (877) 417-8272.

DOJ Moves to Intervene in Texas Case to Enforce the Supreme Court’s Olmstead Decision

austintenantscouncil — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:44:48 +0000

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today filed papers seeking to intervene in Steward, et al. v. Perry, et al., a case filed on behalf of thousands of Texans with developmental disabilities to enforce their right under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to receive services provided by the state in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

The proposed complaint by the United States, which must first be approved for filing by the U.S. District Court in San Antonio alleges that Texas unnecessarily segregates individuals with developmental disabilities in nursing homes instead of providing them the opportunity to receive integrated, community-based services. The proposed complaint also alleges that Texas places individuals with developmental disabilities who currently live in the community at risk of unnecessary placement in nursing facilities by failing to provide necessary community-based services in violation of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

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Housing Affordability?

austintenantscouncil — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:15:16 +0000

Priced Out in 2010 is a study of the severe housing affordability problems of people with disabilities. The study compares the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments of people with significant and long-term disabilities to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents for modestly priced rental units.

View results for the Austin/Round Rock/San Marcos MSA.

HUD Reaches Settlement With Online Advertiser Regarding Discriminatory Ads

austintenantscouncil — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:51:49 +0000

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that USA4SALE Network, Inc., has agreed to pay $15,000 to settle claims that it violated the Fair Housing Act when it posted ads on its Web sites that discriminated against families with children. In addition, the company has also agreed to change the way its Web sites filter discriminatory language.

The settlement is the result of a complaint HUD initiated against the Ocala, Florida-based company after it allegedly printed a rental advertisement on its webpage, ocals4sale.com, that stated “No children, No kids.” The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on family status, including publishing print, broadcast or Internet advertisements that indicate a preference or otherwise discriminate against families with children.

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HUD Acts Against Pregnancy Discrimination in Home Mortgages

austintenantscouncil — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:48:26 +0000

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced a settlement agreement with Cornerstone Mortgage Company (Cornerstone), a national mortgage lender based in Houston, which HUD accused of engaging in discriminatory lending practices against expectant mothers. In a separate action, HUD is charging Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and others with engaging in pregnancy discrimination in issuing mortgage insurance in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

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Georgetown Housing Authority Will Accept Section 8 Applications

austintenantscouncil — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:51:51 +0000

Good news for people seeking housing assistance! The Georgetown Housing Authority will be accepting applications for the Section 8 voucher program for one day on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Click here for details.

City seeks cuts to some social service groups

austintenantscouncil — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:54:08 +0000

ATC is one of the agencies that will see its funding cut. Currently, ATC receives $39,853 from the City of Austin to run its telephone counseling line and provide mediations to resolve emergencies such as illegal evictions, lockouts, utility shut-offs, or improper seizures of personal property. Under the recommendations, ATC would receive no City funding for these programs.

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