Disasters impact renters and homeowners similarly. When it comes to handling emergencies in rental property, some emergencies are obvious such as fire, water/flooding damage, loss of heat, major gas leak, etc where immediate action is made to handle the situation. Unfortunately, some other emergencies that happen to you as a renter may not be viewed as an emergency to the landlord.  Knowing how to be prepared before, during and after your emergency will keep you stress-free and housed.

Make a Plan: Do you have copies of all your documents in a accessible place like the cloud? What is your shelter plan? What is your evacuation route? What is your family communication plan? There is a lot to think about, but visiting Ready.gov will help you plan and be prepared. Information is available in multiple languages too.

What's in your "Go Bag" or Emergency Kit?  Being prepared means having your own food, water, and other supplies to last at least a few days. An emergency disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items that your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the FEMA Emergency Supply List, which you can download or print to take with you to the store. Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.

For additional information on how to Build a Kit, go to ready.gov website.

Assessing the impact means looking at the aftermath and trying to restore your home back to normal or even more resilient. Seeking assistance is important and having proof of what is lost and what needs replacement is important to get refunds, make claims and take advantage of programs that is specific to your situation. If you still need assistance after inquiring with FEMA and your insurance company, please contact us so we can talk about your specific needs.

Community Development & Housing Department (CDHD) understands the impacts of the sudden loss or reduction of income on homeowners, and renters during emergencies. We are here to provide you with up to date information and where potential resources exist. Not all may be listed on this site. Please check with 211Texas.org, United Way of Tarrant County, your city, local community and churches to see if other resources are available.

Please carefully review the options for assistance below and apply according to where you live and your situation. Rental assistance is not guaranteed as eligibility is dependent on your situation and income level, but we strongly encourage you to apply.

Do you need help paying your water bill? Community Action Partners can help you in person November 16, 2023 in Forest Hill and November 30, 2023 in Fort Worth. For more details, please see the flyer for November 16th and the flyer for November 30th.