Brian Frick demonstrates a bucket-rigging system that the residents used to collect melting snow as it flowed through drain pipes in an apartment complex in downtown Austin on Wednesday. Credit: Evan L Roy/The Texas Tribune
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Over 1.4 million Texans still faced water disruptions on Wednesday afternoon, more than a week after Texas’ winter storms wreaked havoc on the state’s power grid and water services.
More than 20,000 people were completely without running water Wednesday afternoon because of water main breaks, mechanical failures, frozen or broken water lines or other issues, a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality spokesperson said.
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Texans behind on rent can soon seek aid from $1.3 billion assistance program
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A renter who needs help holds a sign saying cancel rent.
AUSTIN, Texas State officials plan to roll out a $1.3 billion rental assistance program for Texans struggling to keep up with housing payments during a shaky economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The new program comes after a separate state initiative was criticized for its limited scope and because many landlords declined to participate.
More than 1.6 million Texans had little or no confidence in being able to pay next month’s rent, according to a January survey by the U.S. Census Bureau.