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Austin Tenants' Council http://www.housing-rights.org

Austin Tenants' Council

1640-B E. Second Street

Suite 150

Austin, TX 78702Map this

Operating under the philosophy that everyone has a right to safe, decent, fair, and affordable housing, the Austin Tenants Council fulfills thousands of requests each year for help with housing problems. ATC programs, which serve residents of the city of Austin and some of its surrounding...

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For more information:

Name: Morgan Morrison
Position: Fair Housing Testing Coordinator
Email: morgan@housing-rights.org

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Telephone CounselingThe Telephone Counseling Line provides education and information regarding residential tenant-landlord disputes. Lines are busy, and callers are encouraged to keep trying. Phones are answered by trained housing counselors who offer options, refer callers to other agencies, or suggest legal assistance through Legal Aid, lawyer referral services, etc. The counselors can discuss tenant-landlord rights and responsibilities as described in the Texas Property Code and other sources. However, no attorneys are on staff and ATC counselors cannot offer legal advice. Anyone needing legal advice should contact an attorney. Eligibility: Telephone counseling services are available to Travis County residents. Out-of-town callers will be assisted if resources are available. Fees: No charge. Procedures: Call 474-1961 to speak to a housing counselor. The telephone counseling line is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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Housing & Shelter
Tenant Information NetworkTenants and landlords can become members of the Tenant Information Network (TIN) which provides printed materials on various tenant-landlord topics. The TIN membership is active for six months and includes three 30-minute counseling sessions and a packet of informational brochures.

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Housing & Shelter
Fair Housing ProgramThe Fair Housing Program helps any person who has been discriminated against in the rental, sale, financing, or appraisal of housing. The state and federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of a person's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability (mental or physical), or familial status. For Austin residents, additional protections include marital status, sexual orientation, age, or status as a student. FHP documents and investigates complaints; provides advice about remedies under fair housing laws; and coordinates legal services to assist victims of housing discrimination. FHP provides fair housing seminars and presentations to interested groups. Eligibility: Open to victims of housing discrimination. Fees: No charge. Procedures: Call 474-7007 for an initial phone interview and/or to schedule an appointment.
Mediation ServicesCrisis Intervention Counselors mediate on behalf of tenants to resolve emergencies such as illegal eviction, lockout, utility shut-off, or improper seizure of personal property that threaten their housing. Rental Repair Assistance Through advocacy and mediation, the Renters�???�??�?�¢?? Rights Assistance Program helps low-income renters enforce their right for repairs of conditions that threaten health or safety. Eligibility: Crisis intervention clients must be Travis County residents. Rental repair assistance is available only to Austin residents who do not exceed income guidelines. Fees: No charge. Procedures: Call 474-1961 for an initial phone interview and assessment.

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Housing & Shelter
In-House CounselingThe Renters�¢?? Rights Assistance Program provides 30-minute in-house counseling sessions to tenants and landlords who have questions regarding their rights or responsibilities. Counseling, brochures, and other materials are provided to clients in need of more in-depth information than can be provided through telephone counseling. Eligibility: Unrestricted. Fees: No charge to income-qualified residents of Travis County. Otherwise, there is a $10 fee. Procedures: Call 474-7006 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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Housing & Shelter
Lease FormsATC provides lease packets to landlords for a small fee. These forms were developed so that landlords have access to applications, leases, move-in and move-out inventories, and security deposit refund forms that protect the landlord's financial interests without unnecessarily impinging on the tenant's rights. Included in the cost are copies of brochures describing tenant-landlord rights and responsibilities. Landlords receive a free copy of our quarterly newsletter, Housing Rights Advocate. Eligibility: Unrestricted. Fees: TIN membership costs $10 for six months. Lease packets cost $15 for the first one purchased and $5 thereafter. Procedures: TIN and lease packets are available at 1640-B East 2nd Street, Suite 150. For more information, call 474-7006.

Supported causes

Housing & Shelter
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