HAYS COUNTY — Despite the fact that Hays County could lose thousands in federal funding for its rent and utility relief program, it continues to help residents in need.

In Texas, 16 cities or counties might have to return unspent federal funds because they did not meet the 30% distribution requirement by Sept. 30 — Hays County is one of them. By the deadline, the county had spent nearly $167,000 or less than 3% of the $6.9 million allocated for the Emergency Rental Ass...