Tag Archives: Texas

Eviction Moratorium Update -Central Texas

Posted on July 9, 2021 by admin

Last year, to lessen the impact of COVID-19, landlords across the country were required to cease any and all eviction proceedings. The order, backed by the CDC’s recommendations, went into effect on September 4, 2020. The order is set to expire on July 31, 2021. Though most Texas cities adopted the CDC guidelines, not all areas have been in full agreement. 

Moratorium Order Endings 

Houston is one of the few cities that never put a local moratorium order into place. Even through the thick of the pandemic, they have continued allowing evictions to take place. Despite the Texas Supreme Court issuing its own statewide moratorium, over 30,000 eviction cases have been filed since March 2020. The statewide order was able to slow some proceedings down, but this ended on May 18, 2020. In addition to the conclusion of the statewide order, the Texas Supreme court ceased enforcement of national moratorium as well. Since then, Houston’s eviction numbers have steadily increased with little to no federal involvement.

Order Extension

Austin, on the other hand, passed their own Eviction Moratorium order as part of their March 2020 emergency ordinance. Despite CDC guidelines, the previous extension was set to expire on May 1, 2021. A day prior to it’s expiration, however, Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown, announced an extension through August 1, 2021.

The main reason for this decision was to encourage tenants to seek out rental assistance if needed before lifting the order entirely. Predictions of an overwhelming number of eviction filings once the order expires are a great cause for concern. Last summer alone it was predicted that 30 to 40 million Americans were at risk of being evicted.

Exceptions

Even though the extension was designed to protect the majority of tenants, there are some exceptions. As of June 1, 2021, Travis County court portals opened once again, allowing for some Notice of Evictions to be filed. In order for landlords to file a Notice of Eviction, the tenants must meet the following qualifications:

  • Owe 5 months or more of outstanding rent.
  • Tenants and Landlords must have exhausted* all available assistance remedies.
  • Tenants must pay no more than $2,475.00 each month in rent.
  • Must not be a commercial tenant.

*The order defines “exhausted” as meaning that all applications for all available rental assistance remedies have been denied or pending for more than 45 days.

Rental Eviction Remedies

In light of the Eviction Moratorium orders, several programs have been made available to assist struggling renters, and sometimes even landlords. The city of Austin has provided over $25 million in federal funds for rental assistance alone. Qualifying renters for such assistance programs must meet these requirements:

  • Must have been financially impacted by the pandemic, and/or qualify for unemployment. 
  • Must prove that you are on the verge of homelessness.
  • Must have made less than 80% of the median family income of $78,100 per year (for 2020).

*Immigration status does not come into play for eligibility.

Additional assistance programs include:

City and County officials are encouraging anyone facing eviction that meets the outlined standards to contact the specific agencies for further information on how these programs can help.

Conclusion

Although the Eviction Moratorium has helped many families remain in their homes during the pandemic, it is important to remember that any and all owed rents will still legally be due once the eviction ban has been lifted. This extension is only valid throughout the Austin and Travis County areas but the majority of Texas, including Dallas, anticipates to follow the CDC’s timeline and open up eviction proceedings starting July 31, 2021.

Want to stay in the know? As the leading staffing agency for the Texas multifamily industry, Hire Priority prides themselves on staying up-to-date with the latest legislation, laws, and trends. Contact us now to learn how we can help you.

Posted in Management Advice, TX, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , |

Does Your Job Search Seem Never-Ending?

Posted on May 1, 2014 by James G. Lenhardt, CPC, CTS

Never-Ending Job Search? Maybe You’re Making These Mistakes

 

Drawn-out job searches take a heavy toll, both emotionally and financially. The median time it takes to find a job today is 16.3 weeks, which is relatively high compared to a decade ago. What’s more, if you are unemployed for more than 6 months, studies have shown that employers are much less likely to consider your resume.

If your job search feels like it’s never ending, perhaps you are making one of these 3 common mistakes. Here’s what not to do and how to bring your job searching days to an end:

 

Mistake #1: You Don’t Know What You Want

Some applicants approach the job search process by applying to a wide range of jobs all at once, hoping that they will get lucky with one. This idea usually backfires, with the applicant not getting any responses.

If you know exactly what kind of job you want, you can spend your time becoming the perfect candidate for the position. For example, if you decide you want an apartment job, narrow down what part of town, what size property, and what kind of environment you want to work in. Once you know exactly what type of apartment job you want, hone your resume and skills to become what that position requires.

Not sure what industry you want to work in? Check out this handy guide on finding your dream job from Careerealism.

 

Mistake #2: You Aren’t Changing Your Strategy

If your job search is dragging on but you aren’t seeing the results you’d like, then it’s time to alter your strategy. Try changing up these tactics:

  • Write a new resume from scratch
  • Deliver your resume in person if you’ve only emailed it
  • Take a training course to learn new skills for your resume
  • If you don’t have a skills section on your resume, add one
  • If you don’t have a good cover letter, write one
  • If you do have a cover letter, give it makeover
  • Follow up with employers by emailing or calling to make sure they’ve received your resume

 

 
Mistake #3: You Aren’t Asking for Help

Networking is one of the most effective ways to find a new job; but you will never find a new job through your network if you don’t ask them. Family, friends, and social media are all good places to start letting people know that you are job searching. If you haven’t already, pick up the phone, send a few emails, or post a status on Facebook asking for some help.

 

The conclusion: Job searching for weeks or months can be a drag, but don’t let it warp your perspective. You will find a job eventually, and it’s okay to take a step back now to re-evaluate your strategy.

Now that you know the mistakes not to make, here’s what to do instead:

1.)   Figure out what you want from your job search

2.)   Change what isn’t working in your job search to reach your goals

3.)   Ask for help from your personal & professional networks

With today’s average job search times being so long, don’t stretch out the process more than it needs to be by making the above mistakes. If you aren’t seeing the results you would like from your job search, now is the time to shift your strategy.

Ask Hire Priority for Help! Submit your resume for a job placement or free resume consultation here and one of our offices in Houston, Austin, or San Antonio will contact you.

 

Posted in Career Advice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

My Story: Kristin

Posted on April 21, 2014 by James G. Lenhardt, CPC, CTS

apartment job success story

Kristin Dumas, now a leasing consultant at The Meritage at Steiner Ranch in Austin, has a career that’s been on the rise and a bright future. What makes her so successful? She’s had a rising career in the apartment industry and a knack for sales, which holds a lot of promise for her in the future.

Since her first taste of apartment leasing years ago, Kristin has been drawn in and out of the industry. She got her break into an apartment job when she was encouraged to apply for a position at the apartment community where she lived. The woman who encouraged her to apply would end up becoming her mentor, and her leasing job would turn into her career.

After a brief break from the apartment industry, Kristin turned back to leasing through Hire Priority, while she was in school and looking for a part-time position. She went in and out of work as she needed it, and later applied for a permanent apartment job when the time was right.

Sales have always come easy to Kristin, and this is what helped her to walk on properties easily. ‘You can feel good about it at the end of the day,’ she says of helping to find people places to live. With all of the experience she has acquired, Kristin now works at a bustling, 500+ unit property in Austin. Kristin’s dedication and ability to thrive in this fast-paced environment have set her up for success as well as a promising future in the apartment industry.

 

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5 Ways a Job in Healthcare Wins the Career Lottery

Posted on April 10, 2014 by James G. Lenhardt, CPC, CTS

 

5 Ways a Job in Healthcare Wins the Career Lottery

Healthcare jobs are some of the most sought-after in the nation, and for good reason. The perks of healthcare are unlike any other:

 

Perk #1: Job Growth

Healthcare jobs are booming at the moment–especially in Houston. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8 of the top 20 fastest growing professions are in the healthcare industry. And the industry in total has over 13 million jobs. With the U.S.’s aging population and advances in medicine, these numbers will only keep rising. Job growth, job security, and being needed at your job are all perks of a job in healthcare.

 

Perk #2: Make a Difference in People’s Lives

In healthcare you will be able to make a difference in people’s lives unlike with any other career path. From helping save lives to bringing new life into the world—you can make an unforgettable difference in patients’ lives daily. A healthcare job offers you the unique opportunity to help people and get paid well.

 

Perk #3: Flexible Hours

Because many healthcare facilities run 24 hours a day, you can work at any time. Shifts at odd hours are perfect for those who are looking to spend more time with their family or pursue further education. Lots of shifts also means that it is relatively easy to switch with a coworker if you need to.

 

Perk #4: Dynamic Work Environment

No two days on the job are the same. The exciting and fast-paced nature of the healthcare industry is what makes it so adaptable to TV series and movies. There’s a reason healthcare jobs work so well on-screen: there’s never a dull moment. Time can fly while you’re working (and this can’t be said of many other jobs!).

 

Perk #5: Outstanding Pay & Benefits 

A healthcare job may not be as lucrative as winning the actual lottery, but it does pay well. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare administration jobs offer an average salary of $85,000 per year. Most healthcare jobs offer salaries that are at least enough to live on, in addition to benefits that are above average.

 

There’s one more way that a job in healthcare is like winning the career lottery: there are many levels you can start at. Starting from the level of a GED and up, there are jobs that require no prior training. If you would like to get your career in healthcare started today, click here to find a job with Hire Priority in Houston.

Posted in Career Advice | Tagged , , , , , , , |

What’s Your Superpower: Finding Your Competitive Advantage

Posted on April 10, 2014 by James G. Lenhardt, CPC, CTS

 

What’s Your Superpower?

Finding Your Competitive Advantage to Get Hired

In today’s competitive job market, standing out is essential to getting hired. One single open job can bring in countless applicants, piling up on a hiring manager’s desk and all looking the same. How can you stand out? If you learn how to work your competitive advantage you can be a manager’s pick over someone who has even more skills or experience. Here’s how:

 

Pick Your Strengths & Highlight Them

What’s your competitive advantage? Maybe you aren’t sure yet, or maybe you are new to the job search process—and that’s okay! Think of your strengths as the skills that have most allowed you to succeed.
Perhaps you are a persistent person, seeing projects through until the end when others have lost interest. Or maybe your strength is that you are detail oriented–always able to see the little things that others overlook.

If You Have Experience in the Industry:

If you have apartment industry experience, then your competitive advantage will be your experience and the parts of the job you are best at. Make sure to highlight these in your resume and interview, along with any special awards or recognition you have received. This doesn’t mean you have to toot your own horn; but when asked to discuss your experience, focus on where you have excelled.

If You Don’t Have Experience in the Industry:

If you don’t have apartment job experience—do not fear! You still have skills that are relevant. Perhaps you have worked in a sales job or another people-oriented position; and these will have equipped you with communication skills that apply to an apartment job. If you don’t have a set of professional skills to go on, perhaps you want to sell your competitive advantage as your hard work, determination, or passion to succeed.

Keep in mind: most job seekers will say that they are hardworking and motivated. Your competitive advantage will come when you can show in your resume or interview why you embody the strengths you claim to have. For example, it is not enough to just say that you are motivated. But if you can tell a story of a time when you had to accomplish something very difficult and didn’t give up then you will stand out as motivated.

Your competitive advantage is unique to you.

You know your strengths and weaknesses better than anyone, so when you think about what to highlight in your job application be sincere in what you are best at. Hiring managers can see through a candidate who lists a strength that they don’t show proof of. It will also be difficult to stand out if you try to emphasize too many strengths: they will just come out jumbled and you won’t be memorable.

 

Use Your Superpower…

If you haven’t done it already, take a moment to figure out what your competitive advantage is—the trait that would be your superpower if you had to pick. Highlight your unique strengths during the job search process and you will both stand out and convince a hiring manager that you are the one for the job.

Get started today by submitting your resume for a job placement: Apply now.

 

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