Quick answer
You cannot apply for a new Emergency Housing Voucher in Texas. The EHV program, funded with about $5 billion by the American Rescue Plan in 2021, stopped issuing new vouchers years ago, and in March 2025 HUD told housing authorities to manage EHV through 2025 and 2026 expecting no additional funding, with money likely depleted in 2026. If you are homeless or about to be, dial 211 Texas and complete a coordinated entry assessment for shelter, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing; apply for regular Housing Choice Vouchers with homeless preferences; veterans call 877-424-3838; survivors call 1-800-799-7233. If you already have an EHV, stay in close contact with your housing authority about transition options. Help is free.
Key facts
- EHV was temporary: about $5 billion in 2021 for roughly 70,000 vouchers nationwide for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, fleeing violence or trafficking, or recently homeless.
- No new vouchers: housing authorities can no longer issue or reissue EHVs.
- Funding running out: HUD’s March 2025 letter said to expect no more EHV funding; HUD estimated money would likely be depleted in 2026 unless Congress acts.
- Current holders should ask their housing authority about moving to a regular Housing Choice Voucher or other assistance.
- No real housing program charges a fee to apply.
Table of contents
- What Emergency Housing Vouchers were
- Can I still get Emergency Housing Vouchers in Texas?
- Next steps for current EHV holders in Texas
- Options to use instead of an EHV
- If you need a place to stay tonight
- Documents housing programs ask for
- Your step-by-step plan for this week
- Related guides
- Frequently asked questions
What Emergency Housing Vouchers were
Emergency Housing Vouchers were a special type of Housing Choice Voucher created by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. HUD allocated them to local public housing authorities, which worked with Continuums of Care to house people who were homeless, at risk of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or recently homeless. Referrals came through coordinated entry rather than ordinary waiting lists, and EHV holders paid about 30% of income toward rent like other voucher holders. Texas housing authorities in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, and other cities received EHVs.
Can I still get Emergency Housing Vouchers in Texas?
No. Issuance and reissuance of EHVs ended, and the program is winding down. In March 2025, HUD sent housing authorities a letter telling them to manage their EHV programs in 2025 and 2026 with the expectation that no additional funding would be forthcoming, as HousingWire and the National Alliance to End Homelessness reported. The program had been expected to last until 2030, but rising rents used the money faster, and HUD estimated it would likely be depleted in 2026 unless Congress added funding. About 60,000 people nationwide held EHVs at that time.
Watch out: anyone offering to sell you an “emergency housing voucher” or charging to put you on a voucher list is a scammer. Vouchers come only from public housing authorities, and applying is free.
Next steps for current EHV holders in Texas
- Read every letter from your housing authority and respond by the deadline.
- Ask about transfer to a regular Housing Choice Voucher if funding and the authority’s policies allow.
- Keep your income and household information current; a lower income can lower your rent share and keep you eligible for other help.
- Talk to your case manager (many EHV households have one through the Continuum of Care) about rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, or other subsidies.
- Get legal help from Texas RioGrande Legal Aid or Lone Star Legal Aid if you receive a termination notice.
Options to use instead of an EHV
| Program | What it does | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinated entry | One assessment that puts you on lists for shelter, rapid re-housing, and supportive housing | 211 Texas; local homeless coalitions |
| Rapid re-housing | Deposits, move-in costs, short-term rent, case management | Coordinated entry |
| Permanent supportive housing | Long-term subsidy plus services for people with disabilities who have been homeless | Coordinated entry |
| Housing Choice Vouchers | Ongoing rent subsidy; many authorities have homeless preferences | Local housing authority |
| HUD-VASH and SSVF | Vouchers and rapid re-housing for veterans | 877-424-3838 |
| Homelessness prevention | Arrears and short-term rent to avoid losing housing | Coordinated entry; TDHCA-funded local providers |
HUD Exchange lists homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing among the uses of Emergency Solutions Grants in its program requirements; in Texas, TDHCA passes ESG and state homeless funds to local providers.
If you need a place to stay tonight
Dial 211 Texas and ask for emergency shelter and motel voucher funds. Veterans should call the VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, and people fleeing violence should call 1-800-799-7233. The Salvation Army and rescue missions run shelters in most Texas cities. See our emergency hotel voucher guide and immediate hotel vouchers for people who are homeless.
Documents housing programs ask for
Most delays come from missing papers. Having this packet ready before your first appointment usually saves a second trip.
| Document | Why agencies ask for it |
|---|---|
| Photo ID for each adult | Confirms identity; a driver license, state ID, or passport works |
| Social Security numbers for everyone applying | Required for SNAP, Medicaid, and cash programs |
| Children’s birth certificates | Proves household size and ages |
| Proof of income for the last 30 days | Pay stubs, benefit letters, child support, or a signed no-income statement |
| Lease or rent receipt and recent utility bills | Counts shelter costs, which raise SNAP benefits |
| Proof of homelessness or risk | Shelter letter, eviction notice, or a self-certification form from the program |
If you are missing something, apply anyway. Caseworkers can often verify information electronically or give you time to bring documents.
Your step-by-step plan for this week
- Dial 211 Texas and ask where to complete a coordinated entry assessment.
- Apply for Housing Choice Vouchers with every housing authority near you; ask about homeless preferences.
- Apply for SNAP and Medicaid at YourTexasBenefits.com (estimate SNAP with our SNAP calculator).
- Veterans and survivors: call your dedicated lines for direct placement help.
- Get ID and documents together; housing programs require them.
Help is free. Housing authorities, coordinated entry, the VA, 211, and shelters never charge.
For more specifics, see our guides on grants for homeless people and the fastest way to get Section 8.
Related guides
- Texas Continuum of Care programs
- Texas rental assistance
- Emergency shelter for families
- Housing help: vouchers, affordable housing, and paths to owning
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for an Emergency Housing Voucher in Texas?
No. EHVs are no longer issued, and HUD has said the program’s funding will likely run out in 2026. Use coordinated entry, rapid re-housing, and regular Housing Choice Vouchers instead.
What happens to people who already have an EHV?
Housing authorities are managing the wind-down. Current holders should respond to every notice and ask about moving to a regular Housing Choice Voucher or other assistance.
Who qualified for Emergency Housing Vouchers?
People experiencing or at risk of homelessness, people fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, and people recently homeless, referred through coordinated entry.
How do I get housing help fast in Texas?
Dial 211 Texas for shelter and a coordinated entry assessment. Veterans can call 877-424-3838 for SSVF and HUD-VASH.
Is there another emergency voucher program now?
Not a new federal one. Many housing authorities give homeless preferences on regular Housing Choice Vouchers, and rapid re-housing programs pay deposits and short-term rent.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 25, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
- HUD: Emergency Housing Vouchers
- HousingWire: HUD Emergency Housing Voucher program will be depleted in 2026
- National Alliance to End Homelessness: What are Emergency Housing Vouchers?
- eCFR: Emergency Solutions Grants program requirements
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: homeless programs
- 211 Texas
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and not an application. Federal funding decisions can change; confirm with HUD or your housing authority. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency.
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email support@nationalreliefprogram.org.
