Texas Emergency Housing Vouchers: Securing Immediate Assistance

Securing emergency housing vouchers in Texas is a critical step for individuals and families facing a housing crisis, providing a direct path to stability. This resource offers a clear and direct explanation of the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program, detailing the specific, and often misunderstood, process for accessing this vital assistance.

For those experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness, or fleeing dangerous situations, understanding this pathway is the essential first step toward finding a safe place to call home. The process is not a simple application; it is a system designed to connect the most vulnerable Texans with the help they need, and this information will illuminate that path.

Defining the Emergency Housing Voucher in Texas

The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is a specialized, federally funded initiative designed to provide immediate housing relief to the most vulnerable households. It functions as a tenant-based rental assistance subsidy, helping participants pay for housing they find in the private rental market, such as an apartment, duplex, or single-family home. The central goal is to decrease homelessness and help people obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing quickly.

How the EHV Program Works

The structure of the assistance is straightforward. A participating household is typically required to pay approximately 30% of its adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities. The Public Housing Authority (PHA) that administers the voucher then pays the remaining portion of the rent directly to the landlord. This makes housing affordable for those with extremely low incomes and provides landlords with reliable rental payments.

Origins and Limited Availability

The EHV program was established as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), a federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This origin defines the program's nature: it is a temporary, emergency-level intervention, not a permanent program like the traditional Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher.

The federal government allocated a finite number of these vouchers. Texas Public Housing Authorities received a total of 4,517 EHVs to distribute. For example, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), which serves 34 counties, was allocated 798 of these vouchers.

This limited, one-time allocation means that EHV availability is finite. Many local housing authorities across Texas have already received referrals for all their vouchers, and in some areas, the program may no longer be accepting new entrants. This reality underscores the urgency for eligible households to understand the precise steps required to access this assistance.

Are You Eligible for an Emergency Housing Voucher?

Eligibility for the Emergency Housing Voucher program is highly specific and is strictly limited to individuals and families who fall into one of four federally defined categories of vulnerability. In addition to meeting one of these situational criteria, households must also meet certain income requirements.

Four Key Eligibility Categories

• Currently Experiencing Homelessness: This applies to those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including living in a car, park, emergency shelter, or transitional housing.
• At Imminent Risk of Homelessness: This is for households that will lose their primary residence within 14 to 21 days, have no other residence identified, and lack the resources to prevent becoming homeless.
• Fleeing Dangerous Situations: This category is for individuals and families escaping domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. The successful housing of survivors has been a noted achievement of the EHV program in Texas.
• Recently Homeless and Facing Instability: This applies to households that have recently experienced homelessness and for whom rental assistance is necessary to prevent a return to homelessness.

Income Requirements

A household's total annual gross income generally may not exceed 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Public Housing Authorities may also screen applicants at the "low-income" limit (up to 80% of AMI) or give preference to those with "extremely low-income" (at or below 30% of AMI). These limits are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and vary by location.

The Critical Pathway: How to Access Vouchers Through Coordinated Entry

The single most important fact about securing an Emergency Housing Voucher in Texas is that it is not possible to apply for one directly. Access is granted exclusively through a direct referral from a regional system known as Coordinated Entry.

No Direct Applications Allowed

Individuals and families cannot walk into a Public Housing Authority (PHA) office or fill out an online application to receive an EHV. This referral-only model is a deliberate, nationwide strategy to address homelessness more effectively by prioritizing those with the most severe needs.

What is Coordinated Entry?

Coordinated Entry functions as a centralized "front door" for all homeless services. It assesses, prioritizes, and refers individuals to the most appropriate housing intervention available based on their specific level of vulnerability and need. This triage-based model ensures that scarce resources, like the limited number of EHVs, are allocated with the greatest possible impact.

The Role of Continuums of Care (CoCs)

Local Continuums of Care (CoCs) are regional planning bodies that manage the Coordinated Entry system. When a person is assessed, the CoC's network of providers determines their eligibility and level of need. If the person is found to be eligible for an EHV and is among the most vulnerable, the CoC makes a direct referral to the local PHA.

The Standardized Assessment Process

The core of the Coordinated Entry process is a standardized assessment. A trained assessor from a partner agency will ask a series of questions to understand a household's housing history, health, income, and specific challenges. This information is used to prioritize households for all available housing resources, not just EHVs.

Local Access Point Directory: Step-by-Step Instructions for Major Texas Cities

While the Coordinated Entry system is federally mandated, each region in Texas has its own local name and access points. This directory provides the specific, actionable steps needed to find the right "front door" in your community.

Houston and Harris County

In the Houston area, the system is known as Coordinated Access, managed by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County.

• Primary Contact Method: The most direct way to enter the system is by calling the Coordinated Access Intake Line.
  • Phone Number: 832-531-6041
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Email: ca@homelesshouston.org
• Physical Access Points: Assessments are also conducted at physical locations, often at major shelters and service centers like the Star of Hope, the Salvation Army, and SEARCH Homeless Services.
• The Process: An assessor conducts a standardized interview to determine the household's needs. The household is then placed on a community-wide prioritization list. When a resource like an EHV becomes available, the system matches it to the highest-priority household, who is then referred to the appropriate housing authority.

Dallas and Collin Counties

The system for Dallas and Collin Counties is the Coordinated Access System (CAS), managed by Housing Forward as the lead agency for the All Neighbors Coalition.

• Primary Access Points: The "front doors" to the CAS are primarily in-person at specific locations.
• Emergency Shelters: Major shelters like The Bridge, Austin Street Center, and the Salvation Army's Carr P. Collins Social Service Center are primary access points.
• Street Outreach Teams: Outreach teams that engage with people living unsheltered can conduct assessments.
• Homeless Crisis Line: For information and direction to the nearest access point, call 2-1-1.
• The Process: At an access point, a trained staff member conducts a standardized assessment. This determines the household's priority level on a community-wide list. When a housing program has an opening, the CAS refers the highest-priority eligible household to that program.

San Antonio and Bexar County

In San Antonio and Bexar County, the system is known as Homelink, managed by the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH). All EHVs are filled exclusively through referrals from this system.

• Primary Contact Method: The first and only step to begin the process is to call the Homeless Connections Hotline.
  • Phone Number: (210) 207-1799
• The Process: A specialist on the hotline will conduct an initial screening and may refer the caller to a partner agency for a full assessment. Once assessed and prioritized, SARAH certifies the household's eligibility and makes a direct referral to the appropriate PHA.

Austin and Travis County

The Coordinated Entry system in Austin and Travis County is managed by the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO). The process revolves around completing a Coordinated Assessment (CA).

Accessing a Coordinated Assessment:

• By Phone: Call the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center at 512-522-1097 or, for those fleeing domestic violence, The SAFE Alliance at 512-267-SAFE (7233).
• In Person (Walk-In): Several locations offer drop-in assessments, including the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center (4430 Menchaca Rd.) and Urban Alchemy at the ARCH (500 E 7th St.).
• In Person (Street Outreach): Individuals living unsheltered can request a visit from a mobile outreach team.
• The Process: After completing the CA, the individual's information is entered into a secure, community-wide database. When a housing program has an opening, providers use this database to find and contact the highest-priority person who matches the program's eligibility criteria.

What to Expect After a Referral

Receiving a referral from Coordinated Entry is a monumental step, but the process is not over. The household must still go through the Public Housing Authority's (PHA) administrative procedures.

The Role of Housing Navigators

This phase requires patience and persistence. A case manager or housing navigator is a crucial ally in overcoming barriers like a lack of documents, poor credit history, or difficulty finding landlords willing to accept vouchers. They can help gather documents, advocate with landlords, and connect the household with financial assistance for security deposits.

Steps in the PHA Process

1. PHA Contact and Eligibility Verification: The PHA will schedule an intake appointment to officially verify eligibility. This involves collecting documents related to identity, Social Security numbers, citizenship status, and income.
2. Voucher Issuance and Briefing: Once eligibility is confirmed, the PHA issues the voucher and holds a mandatory briefing to explain program rules and obligations. The household is given a deadline, often 120 days, to find housing.
3. The Housing Search: The household is responsible for finding a suitable rental unit from a landlord willing to participate in the program.
4. Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA): The household and landlord complete an RFTA packet and submit it to the PHA. The PHA reviews the proposed rent to ensure it is "reasonable."
5. Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection: The PHA must inspect the unit to ensure it meets federal health and safety standards before any assistance can be paid.
6. Lease and Contract Execution: After the unit passes inspection, the tenant signs a lease with the landlord, and the landlord signs a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with the PHA. Once both are signed, assistance begins.

When Vouchers Are Not Available: Other Critical Housing Programs

Given that Emergency Housing Vouchers are a limited resource, it is vital to be aware of other available housing assistance programs. The Coordinated Entry system is the central hub for nearly all of these resources.

One System, Many Solutions

Engaging with Coordinated Entry is the most effective strategy for accessing the full spectrum of available help. An assessor evaluates a household's needs for this entire menu of interventions, not just EHVs.

Key Housing Assistance Programs

• Rapid Re-Housing (RRH): This program provides short- to medium-term rental assistance (often up to 12 months) and case management to help households exit homelessness quickly and stabilize.  
• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): This intervention offers long-term rental assistance and intensive supportive services for individuals and families with a disability who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness.
• Standard Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8): This is the federal government's largest long-term rental assistance program. Waiting lists in most Texas cities are extremely long and often closed, making it unsuitable for an immediate crisis.
• Emergency Shelters: Shelters provide immediate, temporary lodging and often serve as the primary physical "Access Points" for the Coordinated Entry system. For immediate shelter needs, individuals can call 2-1-1.

For statewide assistance and to find local service providers, a valuable resource is the Texas 2-1-1 hotline, which can be reached by dialing 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905. Additional information can also be found on the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Frequently Asked Questions