FWHS takes measures to protect health and safety due to COVID-19

At Fort Worth Housing Solutions, your health and safety are our top priorities. As the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to impact our area, we are taking precautions to limit in-person interactions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .

The FWHS administration building is closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many team members are working remotely or on staggered schedules, and response times may be delayed. Please visit www.fwhs.org for information about the measures we are taking to promote the health and safety of our residents and staff.

Questions may be emailed to customercare@fwhs.org.

Clients may mail documents to the FWHS office or drop them off in the Drop Box located outside the Administrative Building. Clients may report any reduction in income by using this simple form.

Please call the FWHS Resident Hotline at 817.333.3452 for the latest information.

Guidance for Landlords, Tenants to Avoid Evictions

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a temporary federal moratorium on evictions through Dec. 31 2020, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Fort Worth Housing Solutions tenants, voucher holders and landlords should not be affected by the CDC order as the agency may adjust rental assistance for tenants who experience a loss of income.

The federal moratorium affects individuals who will earn no more than $99,000 in 2020, or no more than $198,000 for those filing a joint tax return.

The moratorium does not relieve tenants from the obligation to pay rent or alter the cumulative amount that will need to be paid. Tenants must pay the balance owed in full. Landlords also may assess fees, penalties or interest while rent is not paid.

A link to the order and the related declaration form are available online at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-eviction-declaration.html.

FWHS Change of Income Form

FWHS clients who have experienced a reduction in income due to the COVID-19 pandemic should report the change immediately through our online form at https://www.fwhs.org/income-reduction-notification-covid-19/. FWHS may adjust your rent portion based on individual circumstances.

FWHS encourages residents and landlords to collaborate to make sure any unpaid balances are paid, even if a payment plan is necessary.

If you are a landlord with a tenant who owes unpaid rent:

  • Reach out to your tenant and ask why he or she has fallen behind. Some families may have mistakenly believed that they did not have to pay rent during the moratorium. If language is a barrier, download HUD’s guidance published in 21 languages at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/covid_19_resources/flyer_other_languages.
  • If the tenant has lost income, ask them to contact Fort Worth Housing Solutions so our team can help them report the change and identify additional resources.
  • Remember that the moratorium stipulated that tenants may not be charged late fees or interest for missed payments in April, May, June and July.
  • Set up a tenant repayment agreement with reasonable payments spread over time.

If you are unable to resolve the issue, contact Fort Worth Housing Solutions at customercare@fwhs.org so that our counselors can contact the tenant and assist.

HUD has published an online “Eviction Prevention and Stability Toolkit” to help keep families in stable housing and reduce economic hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic.

HUD’s Tenant Brochure can be distributed to tenants to prevent eviction for non-payment of rent. This document also includes helpful updates on COVID-19 information and safety concerns, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) protections, and resources related to tenant needs.

HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Flyer encourages landlord to coordinate with their local housing authority and engage with their tenants before an eviction occurs.

FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS

Until further notice, we have implemented the following precautions:

  • Suspension of Notices to Vacate and lease violations
  • Suspension of transfers, move-ins, move-outs
  • Suspension of routine work orders
  • Work orders will be completed on an emergency basis only
  • Suspension of house-keeping inspections
  • Suspension of food distributions
  • Suspension of late fees
  • Suspension of all resident activities
  • Closure of all property management offices and community rooms
  • Existing repayment agreements will be extended
  • Recertifications and interim recertifications will be completed at a later time
  • Rent payments for Butler residents should be either mailed or dropped off at the main office drop box, (1201 E. 13th St.).
  • Rent payments for Cavile residents should be either mailed or dropped off in the office drop box at Cavile.
  • For rent payments, you must include your account number on money orders and keep the money order receipts.
  • Pest control services will be conducted on the exterior of buildings and common areas and will be temporarily suspended inside resident units

Residents should email questions to publichousing@fwhs.org.  Butler residents may call 817-335-4091. Cavile residents may call 817-534-6641.

Residents can call the Resident Hotline at 817.333.3452 for the latest information.

FOR RESIDENTS AT ALL FWHS-AFFILIATED PROPERTIES (NOT PUBLIC HOUSING)

Please visit your community’s management office for information about the measures your property is taking to protect the health and safety of tenants.

COVID-19 Essential Resources

City of Fort Worth information:
https://fortworthtexas.gov/COVID-19/

Tarrant County information:
https://www.tarrantcounty.com/content/main/en/county/tarrant-county-covid-19-information.html

 Texas Department of Health and Human Services
This page includes prevention tips, case counts, country trends and other Texas news about coronavirus:
https://dshs.texas.gov/news/updates.shtm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The U.S. repository for coronavirus (COVID019) information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
COVID-19 Resources for HUD programs, clients and employees:
https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus