RELIEF

World leaders are trying to coordinate humanitarian relief while keeping security concerns in mind.

World leaders are trying to coordinate humanitarian relief while keeping security concerns in mind.

A Rice University student shares what his family in Haiti is dealing with after the massive earthquake.

HOUSTON – The Houston and Harris County Rent Relief Program is still open to applicants. There is still $144 million available of the original $159 million federal funds allocated at the end of February. Check out www.HoustonHarrisHelp.org to learn about the eligibility requirements for both tenants and landlords, read FAQs, and submit documents. Per U.S. Treasury guidelines, most payments will be made directly to landlords instead of tenants. This will reduce the wait time for past-due rent to be paid and will also protect tenants from eviction, legal action, and late fees.

Marissa McKimm with the Cajun Navy hit the road and made the trip for a woman in desperate need of food and water. When I hear that word, it’s a reminder that we’re in this together, we’re not alone,” said McKimm, a Cajun Navy community outreach volunteer. While her services have been restored, she said she hasn’t been able to get help until she connected with Cajun Navy. And it’s full food, full of food,” McKimm said. For more information about the Cajun Navy, to donate or to register for assistance, visit: cajunrelief.org.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is administering the Texas Rent Relief Program and doling out $1.3 billion. Landlords and tenants can apply for the money to recoup unpaid rent and utility bills as far back as March 13, 2020 and up to three months in advance. AdDon’t wait until Monday to check out Texas Rent Relief. Tenants and landlords can apply separately, but Dana Karni of Lone Star Legal Aid says both parties will get help sooner if they cooperate with one another. You can call the Texas Rent Relief Program Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to get answers to your questions.

“It’s a relief to know we have this coming,” he said. “I’ve thought about this a lot, and the people who should be getting ‘hurrahs’ and ‘thank yous’ are the scientists who made this happen. The Ph.D.s, the researchers, the graduate students who spent hours and days and months doing the same thing over and over again in their labs. We as a society really need to recognize that.”

HOUSTON – Houston City Council members will consider an agenda item on Tuesday morning in connection with the City’s Rental Assistance Program for people affected by COVID-19. Agenda Item 17 showed it is “necessary to extend the program to assist Houstonians who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 and its secondary.”According to the paperwork on the agenda, The funding would allow for a one-time payment of $1,200 for financial assistance for up to 23,750 individuals. If approved, the mayor said that the funds would available this month. “The plan is to get those dollars out in the month of December, and people can utilize that on whatever means utilities, rent, childcare, you name it,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. The agenda shows that Baker Ripley would be paid up to a maximum of $1.5 million to execute the plan.

HOUSTON – For months, Channel 2 Investigates has been keeping tabs on a $30 million Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund. According to data from Harris County, more than 500,000 people applied for relief funds. Ward says she was on the phone “all day long," when she applied for Harris County COVID-19 relief funds. On July 26, the county replied:“As you know, Harris County contracted with the Greater Houston Community Foundation to administer the Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund. KPRC 2 has not been able to independently verify the data used to create the COVID-19 Relief fund dashboard.

TOMBALL, Texas Jake Carter and his family and neighbors in Tomball have turned his home into relief central for the people of Westlake, Louisiana. That is Carters hometown one of many places ravaged by Hurricane Laura last week. Our home is in Houston but our hearts are in southwest Louisiana, Carter said. This past weekend, he came up with the idea to put together care packages and deliver them to Westlake. Carter said its the least he could do to help his hometown from the new place he calls home.

Negotiations have stalled, and theres no deal in sight for a coronavirus relief package to aid millions of Americans struggling with the pandemic. Its not a question of they had a good bill. We have a good bill. No, they dont have a good bill. If Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage, I will act under my authority as President to get Americans the relief they need, said Trump.

Find relief from your chronic sinus at Kaplan Sinus Center | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2Published: May 26, 2020, 2:21 pmIf you or a loved one is suffering from chronic sinus issues, it’s time to get help in a safe and friendly environment. Dr. Michael Kaplan, of Kaplan Sinus Center, shares how you can start feeling better and start breathing normally again.

But only one artist can say he may break a Guinness World Record while he’s at it. Los Angeles rapper Watsky, whose full name is George Watsky, is currently livestreaming what may be the longest freestyle rap ever, at 33 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds. He's not keeping any of the money, either -- the world record clout is enough. He looped in Guinness World Record officials, too, and started streaming at 1 p.m. The last attempt to break the record for the longest continuous freestyle occurred in January, when Pittsburgh rapper Frzy rhymed for 31 hours, also for charity, though Guinness officials weren't on hand to officially announce him the record holder.

HOUSTON – Many homeowners that are having a hard time paying their mortgage during this pandemic can ask their mortgage company for help. But Consumer Reports researchers said many mortgage companies were giving homeowners who called inaccurate information. There are four options homeowners and mortgage companies can choose to repay those skipped payments back when the homeowner gets back on their feet. You can find out if you have a federally-backed mortgage, by using Fannie Mae’s look-up tool or calling 800-232-6643. If your mortgage is federally backed, and you need help, call your mortgage company back and ask for it.