Renters prepare for tough choices as eviction proceedings resume in Texas
Unemployment has disproportionately affected renters since the crisis began. Advocates fear displacement and an increase in homelessness. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f01514c48e1d0e485f719e5fe7d858d9/Housing%20file%20MS%20TT%2001.jpg)
Juan Pablo Garnham
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Juan_Pablo_Garnham_TT.jpg)
Juan Pablo Garnham covered urban affairs for the Tribune in 2019-21, focusing on the main challenges of the state’s largest metro areas — Houston, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso and Dallas-Fort Worth, where he was based. He previously worked as senior producer for the podcast In The Thick, editor of CityLab Latino and city hall reporter for El Diario in New York. He has also taught at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. He is from Santiago, Chile, and the Texas flag constantly reminds him of his home country.
Past Contributions
-
![An old apartment complex within view of the ship channel refineries on the north side of Pasadena.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
More than 700 new cases of coronavirus reported after testing at meatpacking plants in Amarillo region
Gov. Greg Abbott says the cases were detected by targeted testing at meatpacking plants. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ceae6db4b547939c7a32d3085f8afc03/Dumas%20Panhandle%20Texas%20MG%20TT%2008.jpg)
![Dumas, Texas on Jan. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Eviction proceedings and debt collections can resume this month, Texas Supreme Court orders
The state's highest civil court initially paused eviction proceedings and debt collections during the coronavirus pandemic. Those moratoriums are being lifted after more than 1.9 million Texans filed for unemployment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8d408cf196519460c1f390c5237c641a/Housing%20file%20LE%20TT%2001.jpg)
![An apartment complex in Tomball.]()
Credit: Loren Elliott for The Texas Tribune -
As coronavirus shutdowns sink city budgets, Dallas furloughs almost 500 employees
Experts and local leaders have warned that the next fiscal year will be a historically hard one for cities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e3bd7a15ff52473c07353a752456373e/Dallas%20Skyline%20iStock%20TT.jpg)
![Aerial View of Downtown Dallas.]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStock -
Language barriers, absence of bank loans leave Latino small-business owners struggling
Before the pandemic, mom-and-pop stores at the Latino-oriented mall La Gran Plaza, in Fort Worth, saw crowds of thousands every day. Now, tenants are worried about evictions and not making ends meet. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0550604d5a977d5b4ef4995a77166356/La%20Gran%20Plaza%20Forth%20Worth%20ST%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Customers visit La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth on the first day that shopping malls, restaurants, retail outlets and movie theaters were reopened on May 1, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas halted evictions, giving renters some relief. But what happens when the moratorium ends?
Experts and advocates say renters — hit particularly hard by the economic downturn — face a financial cliff if more monetary aid doesn't arrive before moratoriums lift. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/07af753fcbe8569fab87a9483bf22c12/Credit_Card_Debt_Money_FInancial_2.jpg)
![Credit card debt illustration.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Supreme Court extends moratorium on evictions until May 18
Housing advocates say they are still concerned about cases of harassment and the longterm housing safety of vulnerable Texans. Full Story
![An apartment complex in Tomball.]()
Credit: Loren Elliott for The Texas Tribune -
Harris County closing temporary medical center for overflow coronavirus patients without ever using it
Local leaders had planned for the center to be an overflow medical facility in case of a surge in COVID-19 cases. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b1b93f04bf4aed56b07691a262895cd1/NRG%20Hospital%20HTX%20AM%20TT%2032.jpg)
![Cots are spread out along a tiled floor in one of the medical tents at NRG Park in Houston on April 11, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
You might be protected from eviction until Aug. 23. Here's how to find out.
A new database allows renters to search if their buildings are under a federal eviction moratorium due to COVID-19. But advocates note that even if you aren't listed, you might still have protections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ddf1669c687d73af6313cc5491578a35/ATX%20Apartments%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![The AMLI Eastside apartments at 11th St. and San Marcos St. in Austin on Jan. 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas utility regulators have programs to prevent shutoffs during the pandemic. But some Texans are falling through the cracks.
Although some counties have moratoriums on disconnections, in most of the state customers need to apply for the benefit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bc59a045a1b3684e7aef7dcf6303ea05/Carly%20Eaves%20MF%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Carly Eaves poses for a portrait at her parent's home on April 15,]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune