Texas Rent Assistance Programs – State and local programs assist many low-income Texans in getting into new housing and prevent evictions. Whether you live in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Fort Worth, or any other town in Texas, you can find help.
It can be frustrating when you work yet still struggle with rent and mortgage payments. Rent assistance programs provide the support needed to increase residents’ security every year. Millions of Americans work 40 or more hours a week and still have to get help from the government and other organizations.
State and Local Texas Rent Relief
Sadly, this is the new normal for far too many people. State and local programs and charities provide financial help to low-income, elderly, and disabled. If you live in Texas and face eviction, try not to panic. Texas rent relief 833-989-7368.
Many places offer Texans help with rent. We will provide you with a list of state, local, and government organizations and charities to pay your past-due rent or mortgage.
Getting Rent Assistance in Texas
Some programs will help you pay past-due rent if you are facing eviction. You can get a voucher from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to help pay your rent and security deposit when renting a new dwelling. 1-(800) 525-0657
1. Project Access (Voucher) Program
This program offers money for rent for those who qualify financially. They do not give clients cash, but the voucher goes directly to the landlord or owner of the dwelling. Coupons can not be exchanged or used for any other purpose.
2. Section 811
The Section 811 program helps the disabled who live independently in subsidized communities with assistance services. Section 811 provides rental payments to disadvantaged individuals of the Target Population.
The target population includes:
- People with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
- Youth with disabilities who live in foster care.
- Those with disabilities wish to transition from an institution to independent living.
- Those with severe mental illness receive services but experience obstacles because of housing instability.
3. Section 8
The Statewide Housing Assistance Payments Program (Section 8) gives rental subsidy vouchers to families earning less than 50 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. They also assist the elderly and disabled with affordable housing.
4. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program
The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program is a Federally funded program regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is managed and operated in the City of Arlington by the Housing Authority of the City of Arlington (AHA).
The funding for the TBRA program is HUD HOME program funding. HUD allocates HOME funds to the City of Arlington annually.
The Arlington City Council determines the amount of HOME funding Arlington the TBRA program receives. The purpose of the TBRA program is to provide rental housing assistance with supportive services to the homeless. Also, other low-income persons need decent, affordable housing. Housing assistance lasts up to 2 years.
Through the TBRA program, the AHA can assist qualified participants with rent, utilities, and security deposits.
5. Texas Rent Assistance and Security Deposits
Renting an apartment can be expensive, depending on where you live. Most properties charge one or more months of rent, processing charges, and deposits. Understandably, these fees protect the rental property in the case of damages or the renter skips the apartment. When you are low-income, these fees can add up and sometimes hinder getting a flat.
The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program helps low-income residents with security and utility deposits and pays rent for up to two years until the person becomes self-sufficient. Must meet program income requirements.
6. Emergency TANF Assistance
One-Time TANF
This benefit program helps Texan families with children.
- If you are a family with children aged 18 and younger
- You are unemployed with no resources
- You are in danger of losing your home to a medical emergency.
This help is available for families with children aged 18 and younger if you qualify financially and have an eviction notice, utilities are about to be turned off, or you are a victim of a disaster such as a flood or fire. You do not have to be on welfare rolls to get assistance. This program provides money for food, housing, utilities, furniture, clothing, medical supplies not covered by Medicaid, and transportation.
7. Texas Emergency Rental Assistance
The Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs and Texas Rent Relief are sharing these links while realizing that some of these programs may no longer have assistance as programs and fund availability are changing daily.
If confirmed not to have funds, the link is provided with a note that their portal is closed. This list shows cities alphabetically, followed by counties alphabetically.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense financial hardship for many Americans, and the state of Texas is no exception. The TDHCA and Texas Rent Relief are sharing links to assistance programs that may be able to help, but it’s important to note that these programs’ availability is changing daily.
8. Charities & Religious Organizations
Charities, such as The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or the Red Cross, may be able to provide emergency help paying rent and utilities. Individual donations and federal programs fund these Texas rent assistance agencies. These agencies not only help pay rent, utilities, clothing, food, medical assistance, job training, and more.
Each charity’s yearly funding is limited and must extend to as many as possible. Texas, rent assistance programs, operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may also not receive the entire amount you need from one organization.
For example, if you face eviction and need $2,500 to keep your home or apartment, you may receive only $300 from one agency. And you will have to go to other organizations to get the total amount.
It can be frustrating and embarrassing. However, remember, you need a place to live. Your situation is temporary, and things will get better. You may also get help with a list of food banks and church pantries to provide you with groceries.
- Red Cross
- United Way
- Salvation Army
- Catholic Charities
- Lutheran Services in America
- The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
9. Texas Emergency Assistance Registry
If you need help during an emergency, the STEAR program can assist you. In Texas, districts use the registry information in different ways. There is no guarantee that you will receive a specific service during an emergency. If you register with the STEAR registry, know that services vary by community.
Contact the local emergency management office to find out how your community used information in the STEAR registry. Please apply if you are disabled, need medical assistance, need medical transportation, or do not speak English. Apply online, or call United Way at 2-1-1.
William, please contact you utility company to see if they have any assistance programs. Also call the United Way for a list of agencies in your area.
I need assistance with paying yearly water bill in Missouri and any other available opportunities in Missouri such as electricity and auto repairs as well thank you
I recently moved into my own place in May after living with friends for two years. I hsve been early paying my rent for the past 3 months. I’m on SSI for a heart condition plus I work part-time. I was away for a funeral towards the end of August and when I returned home on the 30th I was going to get a money order as slways to pay my rent. When I checked my checking account balance I found that my money had been taken out to cover a payment for my student loans. I get paid from my job this Wednesday but only have half of my rent and nothing left for my utilities or car payment. I can’t move back in with my friends because they moved to a smaller place. I applied for section 8 housing voucher but there is a 2 year waiting list. I need help fast.
I am a single grandmother raising my four grandchildren ages 13;.11, 9 & 7.I am on a tight budget I received a widow’s DIC Check and my grandson revives ssi and I have no child support. We have been homeless for 3 Mont’s when the first comes around I pay the people we stay with.I can’t get into a homebody want them money.
Hello, I am reaching out in hopes that you can point me in the right direction as I am at my wits end. I will try to spare all the details and get to the jist of it. I need to find some kind of help with home repairs. We own our home and have lived in for 15 years and have raised 6 children there 3 of which still live there. I have done repairs myself through the years because we cant afford to move and pay rent. but we are at a point now where I can’t do it and we can’t afford to have it done. We have electric issues, plumbing issues, the peer & beam system underneath is starting to rot and floors are dipping in, we had a hot water tank bust a few months ago which I replaced but the floor beneath it is about to fall and there is mold I presume from where the water from the old one had leaked. Our AC is halfway working, we need a new roof because when it rains hard enough we get leaks, several other little things that I am trying to fix, we also have a washer on its last leg that we bought to replace one that went out…we have 2 refrigerators and they are both probably fixing to go out. Its just like we cant get a loan and insurance wont cover anything. we have bought what we could when we could and patched things up best we could but just cant do it anymore. please tell me where I can turn for help. Thank you
Hello, Jackie. Contact United Way for all the agencies that help with rent in your city. Also call Salvation Army, and DSS for emergency help with bills.
I’m on the verge of losing my apartment this month due to not being able to pay full rent. I’m a hardworking single mother. But unfortunately all of sudden without prior notice my payroll checks started getting garnished last month due to student loans. So I’m falling behind. Dear god please help. I was jus starting to get up on my feet. Please thx.
Cheryl please contact agencies in Help with Rent and Utilities. Contact your local Goodwill Industries to see if there is a Wheel to Work program in your city.
I’m looking for help paying my Rent which is $595.00 my water and help to get my husband and I back and forth to work. We just got a job at Hugo Wal-Mart and are looking at loosing our home with 3 kids.
Hello Barbara, thanks for contacting us. If you haven’t already talk to your lender to see if they can give you an extension or lower you payments. Also talk to HUD to see if they can help you. Please check this link for more information. Good Luck!
I am 73 yrs old . I have gotten behind in my mortgage and must havehave $2227 by the 30th . Or lose my home . Can you help me some
Barbara
Hello Joyce. We have only a few days before Christmas and the charities have closed registration. Try contacting the larger Lutheran Church and other Large denomination church to see if anything can be done. Good luck.
Need help for 2 little boys for christmas they have nothing for Christmas please help
Hello Meredith, thank you for writing. Please contact Catholic Charities the Salvation Army also for additional support contact Life After a Stroke Foundation. Let us know if you need further assistance. God bless you Meredith, we’re praying for you.
I had a stroke 6 months I get it they rent make me betta dinner I need help please somebody help me