Hays County Emergency Rental Assistance Program Rolls Out July 12

July 8, 2021

Hays County Commissioners Court recently approved the implementation of a COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA). This program may help with rental, utility and late fee assistance for applicants who have had difficulty paying rent or utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic and who meet the program criteria. The funds will come from a federal grant.


“We know people in our community are still dealing with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Wesley Matthews, the ERA Program Administrator. “This new Emergency Rental Assistance program may help keep people from being evicted or having critical services turned off if they are facing challenges with respect to paying their rent or utilities.”


Beginning July 12, 2021, landlords and tenants can register and receive a receipt of their registration, which can be used to show a Hays County court proof of application if eviction proceedings are already in progress. Landlords should contact the County’s ERA Program for tenant flyers and encourage tenants with arrears rent (past due) to apply. If approved, payments from the program grant are made directly to the landlord.


Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of rent and or utility assistance (accrued after March 13, 2020). After an initial one to three months of provided support, households may reapply for additional assistance (in three-month increments, not to exceed a total of 12 months).


Applicants having income at or below 50 percent of the area median ($98,900) OR households with one or more individuals that have been unemployed for at least a 90-day period preceding the date of application will be prioritized for the first twenty-one (21) days of the program per policy. The Hays County ERA program start date is July 12, 2021.


For information about the ERA program, email erap@co.hays.tx.us.


FY 2021 Income Limits Documentation System (per HUD)

First 21-Days those at or below 50% mark: See link below to find your level

Persons in Family 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
50% of median $34,650 $39,600 $44,550 $49,450 $53,450 57,400 $61,350

The documentation needed for the application submission includes, but is not limited to:


  • the amount due in rent,
  • utility if not included in rent,
  • reasonable accrued late fees,
  • W9 (provided by landlord),
  • PDF bank deposit statements for months’ rent not paid,
  • previous W2, and
  • other applicant expenses.


Proof of approval, non-approval, or non-participation is available to landlords and officials.


Applicant Eligibility


Renter household must be in Hays County, have an income of no more than 80 percent of area medium income, AND one or more members of the household have either:


  • Qualified for unemployment benefits, OR due to or during the pandemic:
  • Experienced a reduction in income,
  • Incurred significant costs, or
  • Experienced other financial hardship.
  • AND one or more individuals within the household must demonstrate they:
  • Are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may include a past due utility or rent notice or eviction notice, OR
  • Live in unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions.


Priority Guidelines


Applicants that meet the eligibility criteria above will be prioritized as follows:


Priority 1– applicants that have an income at or below 50 percent of the area median OR households with one or more individuals that have been unemployed for at least a 90-day period preceding the date of application will be prioritized for assistance for the first twenty-one (21) days of the program.


Priority 2– after phase I is completed, applicants facing immediate eviction that meet the income eligibility requirement will be prioritized.


Priority 3– after Phase I is completed, all applicants that meet the income eligibility requirements and are not facing immediate eviction will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis.


Eligible Expenses


  • Past due rent; Current and future rent
  • Reasonable accrued late fees
  • Eligible utility fees 


Eviction prevention is a county-wide community support effort. If your business or agency is able to support those in need with free faxing, scanning, computer support, etc., or breaking language barriers, please contact erap@co.hays.tx.us


To learn more, visit our website.

By Jose Garcia September 10, 2025
To view the original notice, Click here
By Natalie Frels August 29, 2025
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By Jose Garcia August 27, 2025
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By Natalie Frels August 25, 2025
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Below you will find a drop down menu containing Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Notices for the public.
By Natalie Frels August 21, 2025
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By Natalie Frels August 15, 2025
To view the original notice, click here . This Notice is posted according to the Texas Open Meetings Act. (VERNONS TEXAS CODES ANN. GOV. CODE CH.551). The Hays County Sheriff’s Office Civil Service Commission will hold a meeting at 10 am on the 20th day of August 2025 , in the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Building, 1 st floor, Media Room located at 810 South Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, Texas 78666. An Open Meeting will be held concerning the following subjects: 1. Call the meeting to order 2. Roll Call 3. Public Comments 4. Approval of July 16 th regular meeting and August 7 th , 2025 special meeting minutes. 5. Discussion and possible action to vote on the Vice Chair of the Civil Service Commission (Keller) 6. Discussion and possible action for an alternative date for the Promotional appeal hearing date and/or the regular commission meeting date that is scheduled on September 17, 2025. (Cary) 7. Adjournment Executive Sessions The Civil Service Commission will announce that it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel to discuss matters of litigation and personnel matters as specifically listed on this agenda. The Civil Service Commission may also announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, to receive advice from Legal Counsel regarding any other item on this agenda. ADA Compliance Hays County encourages compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the conduct of all public meetings. To that end, persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aids such as an interpreter for a person who is hearing impaired are requested to contact the Director of the Civil Service Commission at (512) 393-7838 or via e-mail at Sandra.Galvan@hayscountytx.gov as soon as the meeting is posted (72 hours before the meeting) or as soon as practical so that appropriate arrangements can be made. While it would be helpful to receive as much advance notice as possible, Hays County will make every reasonable effort to accommodate any valid request regardless of when it is received. Braille is not available. POSTED: Date: _____________ Time: _____________ By: _____________
By Joe garcia August 8, 2025
Notice - 2025 Road Project Certificates of Obligation
By Natalie Frels August 7, 2025
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By Natalie Frels August 7, 2025
To view the original notice, click here . Hays County Elections has called the County Election Board meeting for the November 4, 2025 General Election. The meeting details are as follows: Location: Hays County Elections Office 120 Stagecoach Trail San Marcos, Texas 78666 Time: 10:00 a.m. Per § 51.002 of the Texas Election Code, a County Election Board is established in each county for the general election for state and county officers, a special election for an officer regularly elected at the general election, and any other elections ordered by a county authority or held at county expense. For the general election for state and county officers and for a special election for an officer regularly elected at the general election, the county election board consists of the County Judge, Elections Administrator (Chair), Sheriff, Democratic Party County Chair, and Republican Party County Chair. Board Tasks · Consolidation of voting locations in special elections · Procuring and allocating supplies (§ 51.003) · Appointment of Early Voting Ballot Board (§ 87.002) · Receiving notification of logic and accuracy testing (§ 129.023) · Sheriff’s duties Members of other parties represented on the ballot may submit names for the Early Voting Ballot Board.