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New county-funded rental and utility program distributes nearly $1M in five months, directs 89% to residents
Summary
Center for Transforming Lives said a new county-funded rental and utility assistance program has given nearly $1 million in five months, routing 89 cents of every county dollar directly to client aid and projecting full spend of $2.3 million by October.
Tarrant County’s new model for rental and utility assistance has moved into operation, County-funded partner Center for Transforming Lives told the Commissioner's Court on April 14 — and is distributing aid faster and more directly than the county’s prior model.
Carol, chief executive officer of Center for Transforming Lives (CTL), said the agency had disbursed nearly $1 million in direct aid within five months and expected to expend the county’s $2.3 million allocation by October. “Eighty‑nine cents of every dollar that you awarded is going to direct client assistance,” she told the court.
Why it matters: The county redesigned its assistance delivery to route more funding straight to households and to speed payments. CTL said it is limiting each intake portal opening to 200 applicants, processing those applications within two to three weeks, and achieving an average of 6–8 days from completed application to payment for approved households.
Program details: CTL said it has supported roughly 440 households to date (about 1,200 people), with an average rent payment of about $3,000 and an average utility payment near $400; many awards covered two to three months of arrears. The program offers on‑site wraparound services, such as health screening and benefits enrollment, to reduce repeat need.
Commissioner Tim O’Hare and others praised the model’s efficiency: commissioners contrasted a prior county-run backlog with the new approach that narrows intake windows and concentrates funds so more of each dollar reaches residents.
Questions and limits: Commissioners asked about donor utility‑company funding, intake capacity and referrals for those who cannot be helped immediately; CTL said the large utility companies continue to operate separate assistance programs and that CTL will provide referrals for those who miss a portal window. The court also requested ongoing reporting and agreed to monitor cash flow as the county’s fall budget season approaches.
Ending: Court members said they want the county to continue monitoring service metrics — including turnaround time, percent of dollars reaching clients, numbers served and whether landlords accept direct payments — at regular intervals as the program spends down the county allocation.
