BEAUMONT, Texas — Rent will be due again in just four days, and many people in Southeast Texas are still without a job.
Right now, no coronavirus rent assistance programs exist in our region. But it's something people are fighting for.
Whether a person has lost a job or took a pay cut, the pandemic has made many financially vulnerable. That's why Southeast Texas pastors are pushing for change.
"Today I am calling on you, the mayor and city council, to get in touch with our leaders and extend the eviction rule," said Pastor Michael Cooper to the Beaumont City Council.
A group of pastors in Southeast Texas are calling on local leaders to establish a program that helps people cover past-due rent, utilities and other bills that they may have accrued during the pandemic.
Pastor Cooper spoke on behalf of the metropolitan organization. He told the city council whether people have lost their jobs or had to close their businesses, they need help.
"We do not want a spike in homelessness which will fuel evictions, illness and even death," Cooper said.
Allison Landrum, executive director of the Beaumont Housing Authority said teh agency has definitely seen an increase in people needing assistance. The agency had about $18,000 in delinquent rent across its 852 units at the end of January.
At the end of April, that number had jumped to $26,000. Right now in May, the agency is at $48,000.
"So, it's a 1.66% increase from pre-COVID to what we are seeing today," Landrum said.
The agency hasn't done a study yet to see if 'job loss' is causing this or if people are taking advantage of the situation, according to Landrum. But she recognizes the need for help here in Southeast Texas.
"It's definitely concerning that we are still dealing with this, and hurricane season is here," Landrum said.
She said they haven't see an increase like this since Hurricane Harvey. But as of right now, no coronavirus rent assistance program exists in SETX. It's something the Beaumont housing authority is on board with.
"It would be very important. We don't have hard numbers right now, but it doesn't take a genius to understand the impact COVID has had,” Landrum said.
