Man faced eviction 2 months after getting approved for rental assistance

Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Man faced eviction months after getting rental help approval
Two months passed by after Erwin Roosevelt got approved for rental assistance and he feared he was nearing eviction.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man who got approved for a rent relief program said he still hadn't received a check after two months.

Erwin Roosevelt said he was nearing eviction from his apartment in north Houston.

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Many people have been suffering for months during the COVID-19 pandemic, unsure of how they will pay their rent.

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Roosevelt said he signed up for a Volunteers of America Texas rental assistance program just hours after the applications were available.

He said he was approved and at the time he felt relieved. Then months went by and he hadn't heard from the organization.

"It's not looking too good you know," said Roosevelt. "The unknown. That's the scary part about it you know so. Just going to have faith that's all I can do."

ABC13 was able to connect them again and a representative told us on Tuesday they're now paying Roosevelt's rent for the next two months. They're also helping him with food. Unfortunately their program is no longer taking new applicants.

Other renters can call the United Way at 211 to be connected with other agencies that may be able to help, but that takes time which for many is a luxury they don't have.

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