City, university launch pilot program with Austin Tenants’ Council

The city of San Marcos and Texas State University have announced the launch of a pilot program with the Austin Tenants’ Council (ATC) to assist permanent and student residents with housing discrimination and landlord-tenant disputes. 

 “Launching this pilot program with the Austin Tenants’ Council is an exciting opportunity to assist the needs of tenants,” said Lisa Dvorak, community liaison. “The ATC currently serves residents of Travis and Williamson counties, and our new program will be a benefit to our residents.”

Under the program, the ATC Fair Housing Program, telephone counseling, mediation services, in-house counseling and lease review services are available to any San Marcos resident or Texas State student.

 “Partnering with the Austin Tenants’ Council provides us with a great resource to share with our Texas State Off-Campus students who have detailed questions about their lease,” said Margaret Yackel, coordinator for Off-Campus Living at Texas State. “We are now able to provide them with an alternative affordable resource to assist them.” 

 The ATC website contains information about tenant-landlord rights and responsibilities. Visit www.housing-rights.org or call 512-474-1961 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and Monday to Thursday from 1- 4 p.m. 

 For more, contact Dvorak at 512-753-2310 or Yackel at 512-245-5595.