Rent Reduction Program Reintroduced (March 14, 2023)

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On the show Tuesday: Texas reopens the app portal for its Rent Relief Program, which the state says has prevented about 21,000 evictions and paid out more than $2 billion since its inception in 2021. The portal opens today at 8 am and is open until March. 28 at 11:59 pm CT to help eligible households with rent and utility bills.

Also at this hour: As we approach the warmer months, we are talking about preparing for severe weather in the Houston area.

Then, Dr. Ricardo Nuila, a Houston native and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, talks about his new book, which tells the deeply personal stories of five families trying to access the most basic healthcare. In The People’s Hospital: Hope and Danger in American Medicine, Dr. Nuila presents Ben Taub (and Houston healthcare in general) as a model for the nation. We will find out why.

And former NFL wide receiver Earl Bennett talks about getting his Ph.D. at the University of Houston and how he plans to use what he learned to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in college sports departments.

Audio recordings from today’s show will be available after 11:00 CET. We also offer a free podcast here on iTunes, Stitcher and other apps.