Last updated: July 14, 2026
Bottom line
Texas housing help is real, but most programs are local. There is no open statewide program that pays rent for every family. Help may come from a city, county, housing authority, Community Action agency, shelter system, utility program, legal-aid office, or affordable apartment owner.
If you need help now, start with 2-1-1 Texas services and the state Help for Texans tool. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) sends money to local providers and does not take most individual assistance applications itself.
For a wider benefits plan, use ASMOM’s Texas help page. The national housing guide explains common housing programs, but Texas and local offices decide current eligibility and openings.
If you need shelter, safety, or eviction help now
- No safe place tonight: Call 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905 and ask for family shelter, coordinated entry, rapid rehousing, and homeless prevention. You can also search the HUD shelter finder while you call local providers.
- Eviction papers: Read the date and court location. The Texas eviction guide explains the basic court process. Do not miss court while waiting for rent help.
- Unsafe because of violence: Call 911 when there is immediate danger. The Texas violence program lists confidential support. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. Use a safer device if someone may be checking your phone.
- Utility shutoff: Ask 2-1-1 and Help for Texans for the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, a local crisis fund, and a utility payment plan.
ASMOM’s emergency rent guide and Texas safety guide provide related steps without replacing local emergency services.
Where to start
If you may lose housing
Call 2-1-1 and use Help for Texans. Ask for rent help, homeless prevention, coordinated entry, shelter, and legal aid in your county.
If rent stays too high
Contact every housing authority that serves your area. Ask about Section 8, public housing, and project-based apartments.
If you need an apartment
Search income-restricted properties, then call each property. Ask about vacancies, waitlists, rent, utilities, fees, and bedroom size.
If forms are hard
Ask a Community Action agency, legal-aid office, school social worker, or housing counselor to help you organize the next steps.
Quick guide to Texas housing help
| Your need | Best first path | Where to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| A place to stay tonight | Family shelter and coordinated entry | 2-1-1, local shelter system, or HUD shelter search | Space changes daily, and calling does not promise placement. |
| Past-due rent | Local rent or homeless-prevention funds | Help for Texans, city, county, Community Action, or legal aid | Funds may be closed, limited, or require landlord action. |
| Lower rent long term | Section 8, public housing, or project-based housing | Local public housing authorities | Many waiting lists are closed or move slowly. |
| Income-restricted apartment | TDHCA and HUD property searches | Apply with each property manager | A reduced-rent unit can still be too costly for your budget. |
| Electric or gas crisis | CEAP and local utility plans | Help for Texans and the utility company | Local funds can run out before the program year ends. |
| Eviction or discrimination | Legal aid and fair housing help | TexasLawHelp or a fair housing office | Court and complaint deadlines can be short. |
Do not use these old statewide portals
The statewide Texas Rent Relief and Texas Eviction Diversion programs closed in summer 2023. The official Rent Relief status page is now mainly for old cases and tax records.
The direct Texas Utility Help website is also closed. The utility portal notice sends residents back to Help for Texans. The Texas Homeowner Assistance Fund stopped helping homeowners on April 15, 2025, according to the homeowner fund page.
Old application pages may still appear in search results. Do not pay a person who claims to reopen these programs or guarantee approval.
Emergency shelter and homeless services
Texas does not use one statewide shelter application. Cities and regions run their own homeless response systems. Start with 2-1-1 and ask for “coordinated entry.” This is the local screening path for shelter, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and other homeless services.
The state Emergency Solutions Grants program pays local organizations for shelter, street outreach, homeless prevention, and rapid rehousing. Individuals do not apply to TDHCA for these funds. The ESG funding page tells people seeking help to use Help for Texans to find a local provider.
If you live outside a major city, your area may be part of the Texas Balance of State system. The coordinated entry page lists regional entry points. A screening does not promise shelter or housing. It helps the local system understand your need and refer you when a matching service is available.
What to say when you call
State the most urgent facts first: where you slept last night, whether children are with you, whether you can stay where you are tonight, whether there is violence, and whether you have an eviction or shutoff notice. Ask what proof is needed and how to update your phone number.
Rent help and homeless prevention
Most current rent help in Texas comes through local programs. TDHCA’s Help for Texans tool gives contact information for providers based on your city or county. The page warns that a provider may be out of money or unable to help every caller.
Local emergency rent funds
A city, county, Community Action agency, charity, or homeless-services provider may help with past-due rent, moving costs, deposits, or a short housing crisis. Rules can change by address, income, landlord participation, and funding source. Apply early and ask whether the landlord must submit forms.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Some communities receive Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) funds. The TBRA program page says it is not offered in every area. Eligible households may have income at or below 80% of Area Median Family Income, but the local provider sets the application process and confirms the current rules.
Use Help for Texans and choose long-term rental assistance to look for a TBRA provider. Ask whether the program pays monthly rent, a deposit, utility costs, or only certain approved costs. Do not assume it works like Section 8.
Keep the eviction case separate
Applying for money does not cancel a court date. Keep reading court papers and contact legal aid. If a landlord agrees to wait, ask for that agreement in writing.
Section 8, public housing, and reduced-rent apartments
Long-term help takes time, so use more than one path. Section 8, public housing, project-based housing, and income-restricted apartments can have separate applications and lists.
| Housing path | How it works | Where to apply | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Choice Voucher | A local housing authority helps pay rent in an approved private unit. | Use the HUD PHA locator and contact each agency. | The waiting list may be closed, lottery-based, or limited to preferences. |
| Public housing | You rent a unit owned or managed by a housing authority. | Apply with the local housing authority. | Public housing may have a different list from vouchers. |
| Project-based housing | Rental help stays with one property rather than moving with you. | Ask each housing authority and property manager. | Leaving the property may end the rental help. |
| TDHCA voucher area | TDHCA runs Section 8 in a 34-county service area. | Check the TDHCA voucher page for the service area and current instructions. | Other Texas areas are served by different housing authorities. |
| Income-restricted unit | The apartment has rent and income rules tied to the property. | Search the Vacancy Clearinghouse and call each property. | The listing does not promise a vacancy or an affordable payment. |
The HUD Resource Locator can also show subsidized apartments, housing authorities, and homeless contacts. HUD warns that its locator does not show real-time vacancies, so call the management office.
Use ASMOM’s Section 8 guide for application basics. Keep a record of every list, confirmation number, password, and update deadline.
Utility help and weatherization
Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) helps eligible low-income households with immediate energy needs. Local providers serve all Texas counties. For program year 2026, the state income guidelines page lists CEAP eligibility at 150% of the federal poverty guideline.
Use the CEAP program page to understand the program, then use Help for Texans to find the provider for your address. Ask whether funds are open, which utilities are covered, and whether a shutoff notice is required.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization program may reduce energy costs through approved home improvements and energy education. Local agencies cover all 254 counties. Renters may need the property owner’s approval, and a waiting list may apply.
ASMOM’s Texas utility guide and LIHEAP help guide give more steps for bills and shutoff risks.
Current local examples in major Texas areas
Local status can change without much notice. Check the official page on the day you apply.
| Area | Current official starting point | Status or useful detail | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston and Harris County | Harris housing stabilization | The county lists a Community Resilience Rental Assistance Program for households at risk of eviction or homelessness. | Screening and available help depend on current funding and the household’s address. |
| Dallas | Dallas social services | The city page says rental assistance is not accepting applications, but utility and other social-service intake may still be available. | Ask 2-1-1 and Dallas County about other current rent programs. |
| San Antonio | San Antonio rent help | The city lists up to $3,500 for rent and $1,500 for utilities, once in a 12-month period. | The housing provider must take part, and a complete application does not promise approval. |
| Austin | Austin rent assistance | The I Belong in Austin application portal closed indefinitely after the March 1-7, 2026 application period. | The city says remaining funds are being used through legal partners for negotiated eviction settlements. |
| Other Texas areas | Help for Texans and 2-1-1 | Search by city or county for rent, utilities, affordable housing, and homeless services. | A listed provider may be at capacity, so ask for more than one referral. |
For local support beyond housing, ASMOM’s Community Action guide explains what these agencies may offer.
Eviction, fair housing, and legal help
An eviction is a court case. TexasLawHelp says a landlord cannot evict a tenant without filing in Justice Court. A notice to vacate comes before the lawsuit and is not the same as a court judgment.
Use the legal help directory to find an office that serves your county. ASMOM’s Texas legal guide also lists common legal-help paths.
Federal fair housing law protects people in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Familial status can include households with children and pregnancy. The Texas fair housing page explains how to report possible discrimination.
Save the listing, messages, names, dates, and what was said. Fair housing complaints have time limits, so ask for help promptly. This article gives general information and is not legal advice.
Documents to gather
You can call for help before every paper is ready. Still, a simple folder can prevent delays. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you organize records.
| Document | Why it may matter | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Identity records | Shows who is applying | State ID, license, school ID, birth record |
| Household records | Shows children and other members | Birth certificates, school papers, benefit records |
| Income records | Checks program limits | Pay stubs, benefit letters, child support, unemployment, tax records |
| Housing records | Shows rent, address, and landlord | Lease, rent ledger, landlord statement, mortgage statement |
| Crisis records | Shows why help is urgent | Notice to vacate, court papers, shutoff notice, foreclosure letter |
| Application records | Helps track the case | Case number, screenshots, emails, names, and call notes |
Ask about missing papers
If you do not have a document, ask what else the program accepts. Do not create or change records. Explain the problem and request a list of approved substitutes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying to only one place. Rent funds, housing authorities, and apartments use separate systems.
- Paying for Section 8 access. A person cannot sell a guaranteed voucher or a place on a public waiting list.
- Using closed portals. Texas Rent Relief, Texas Utility Help, and the statewide homeowner fund are closed.
- Missing court. A pending assistance application does not stop an eviction case by itself.
- Forgetting updates. Tell every waitlist when your phone, address, email, income, or household changes.
- Sending a deposit too early. Verify the property, owner or manager, lease, and payment instructions before sending money.
If housing help is denied, delayed, or closed
Ask for the decision or reason in writing. Check for an appeal, review, hearing, or missing-document deadline. A closed program is different from a personal denial, so ask which one applies.
- Rent help: Ask whether the file was incomplete, the landlord did not take part, the household was outside the service area, or funds were gone.
- Housing authority: Ask whether the list is closed, whether another list is open, and how to request a reasonable accommodation when disability affects the process.
- Utility help: Ask the local provider about funding status, required crisis proof, and the next application period. Also call the utility for a payment plan.
- Eviction or discrimination: Contact legal aid or a fair housing office instead of waiting for another benefit decision.
ASMOM’s denied benefits guide explains how to track notices and calls. Keep copies of everything you send.
Phone scripts
Call 2-1-1
Hello, I live in [city and county]. I have [an eviction notice, no safe place tonight, past-due rent, or a utility shutoff]. Please check family shelter, coordinated entry, rent help, CEAP, and legal aid near me.
Call a housing authority
Hello, I need lower-cost housing. Which Section 8, public housing, or project-based lists are open? How do I apply, and how do I keep my address and phone number updated?
Call a rent program
Hello, I am asking about housing assistance for my household. Are funds open for my city or county? What crisis proof is required, does my landlord need to take part, and what is the application deadline?
Call legal aid
Hello, I received [a notice to vacate or eviction papers]. My court date is [date], if listed. I need help understanding the deadline, my options, and whether your office serves my county.
Resumen en español
Texas no tiene una sola solicitud estatal para pagar la renta de todas las familias. Llame al 2-1-1 o al 877-541-7905 y use Help for Texans para encontrar ayuda local con renta, refugio, servicios públicos y vivienda económica.
Si recibe papeles de desalojo, no falte a la corte mientras espera ayuda. Busque ayuda legal. Para vivienda a largo plazo, solicite Sección 8, vivienda pública y apartamentos con renta limitada. Cada lista puede tener una solicitud diferente.
Texas Rent Relief, Texas Utility Help y el fondo estatal para propietarios están cerrados. No pague a nadie que prometa reabrir estos programas. Si hay violencia en casa, llame al 911 si está en peligro inmediato. También puede llamar al 800-799-7233 o enviar START al 88788 desde un dispositivo seguro.
FAQ
Is Texas Rent Relief open in 2026?
No. The statewide Texas Rent Relief and Texas Eviction Diversion programs closed in summer 2023. Current rent help usually comes from local cities, counties, nonprofits, Community Action agencies, or homeless-services providers.
Can single mothers get special housing in Texas?
Most programs are not only for single mothers. They usually check income, family size, housing need, local preferences, disability, and other program rules. A household with children may qualify when it meets those rules.
How do I apply for Section 8 in Texas?
Find each public housing authority that serves your area and ask whether its voucher list is open. Also ask about public housing and project-based lists because they may use separate applications.
Can I get rent help if I work?
Possibly. Many programs serve working households when income and other rules fit. The program must count household income and confirm the limit for your area and family size.
What should I do after an eviction notice?
Read every paper, note the court date, contact legal aid, and apply for local help. A rent application does not cancel the court case, so keep following all court instructions.
What if a housing program is closed?
Ask when to check again and whether another list or provider is open. Try 2-1-1, Help for Texans, local housing authorities, income-restricted properties, Community Action agencies, and legal aid.
Last updated: July 14, 2026. Next review: October 14, 2026.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 14, 2026, next review October 14, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.