Deadline looms for El Paso landlords to apply for rent help for tenants hurt financially by pandemic

UPDATE, July 28: The deadline for El Paso landlords to apply for rental assistance to help tenants hard hit financially by the coronavirus pandemic is Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, 700 property managers and owners had applied to participate in the $10 million city program.

The El Paso Apartment Association is urging landlords who haven't applied to do so by visiting EPRentHelp.org before the deadline.

ORIGINAL REPORT, July 22: EL PASO, Texas — Landlords seeking to help tenants avoid eviction due to financial problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic can now apply to participate in the City of El Paso's Rent Help Program.

Landlords, as of Wednesday, are able to visit EPRentHelp.org to register their properties to participate.

The City of El Paso has approved $10 million from federal CARES Act funding to assist residents who are behind in paying their rent.

"Eligible landlords may apply for up to 3 months of past due rent per eligible tenant up to $1,000 per month in accordance with the terms and conditions of the program," said a statement from the city announcing the program.

The city will be using Paso del Norte Community Foundation to verify applications and hopes to begin disbursing funds directly to landlords in August.