Evictions can resume Monday in Fort Worth area amid coronavirus. Here’s who is at risk
Eviction proceedings in Tarrant County can resume Monday.
This news comes one day after the Texas Supreme Court ended its pause on the proceedings because of the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“This is the go order, this is confirmation” to move forward, Justice of the Peace Ralph Swearingin said.
That doesn’t mean that all cases will immediately come up.
The eviction of renters in homes covered by federally backed mortgages are prohibited through Aug. 23 under provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
And the first cases that will come up are those that were already in the works in early March when the Texas Supreme Court issued the emergency order temporarily stopping eviction proceedings because of coronavirus, officials say.
Swearingin said he plans to hold his first hearings on those cases Tuesday.
“Every hour we are setting cases … trying to catch up on the backlog,” he said.
Hearings in his courtroom will be held on video conferencing. In-person hearings aren’t allowed until June 1 at the earliest. Even after that, Swearingin said hearings in his courtroom will be held on Zoom for a while.
Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Sergio De Leon said he has no eviction cases scheduled in his courtroom next week and is likely to hear only one before June 1.
After that, De Leon said — barring further orders by the state’s top civil court — he will start in-person hearings in his courtroom.
But the room is being rearranged for social distancing and the cases will be spread throughout the day to prevent a large number of people from gathering in the hallway outside the courtroom. Signs calling for social distancing are being put up in and outside the courtroom.
“As our small court prepares to reopen, we take the health and safety of constituents and our court staff seriously,” he said.
Activists have said they fear that the novel coronavirus, which led to an unprecedented number of layoffs, could create “a mass eviction epidemic.”
De Leon said he realizes that a lot of people may be concerned and anxious about upcoming eviction hearings.
“Courts are neutral parties in these eviction cases,” he said. “We judge facts as they are and render a decision. And litigants always have the right to an appeal.”
Upcoming dates
Starting Monday courts may issue citations for eviction cases, which are notices to appear in court. In-person hearings can’t happen until June 1 and then, only if COVID operating plans have been approved by the Office of Court Administration.
Between Monday and June 1, cases may be heard on Zoom or by telephone only.
As of May 26, writs of possession, which are documents requiring renters to leave the property, can be executed.
Tips for renters
▪ Call 817-392-5720 to apply for rental assistance from the city of Fort Worth; call 817-850-7940 for a Tarrant County help line regarding rental and utility assistance.
▪ A notice to vacate is not an eviction. It begins the process and does not force you to immediately leave your home. An eviction can only be carried out if signed by a court.
▪ The city of Fort Worth has launched a $15.4 million emergency fund to help low- to moderate-income residents with rent, mortgage and utilities. Tarrant County has earmarked $20 million to help residents with rent and food assistance. For a list of local organizations that assist renters visit: fortworthtexas.gov/rentalproperty/rights/
▪ More information about evictions can be found at the Tarrant Count website.
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 3:45 PM.
