Rental Assistance Dallas County: Where to Get Rent Help and Eviction Support

Rental assistance Dallas County programs at a glance

The table below lists the main sources of rent help for Dallas County renters. Funding comes and goes, so treat it as a list of places to check, not a promise that each one is open today.

Dallas County emergency rental help

Dallas County Health and Human Services ran an Emergency Rental Assistance Program for renters at or below 80% of area median income. According to the county’s own FY2025 performance report, it could pay rent, mortgage, and utility costs, plus some related costs such as moving and internet. It also ran an eviction diversion program, where a Justice of the Peace court could pause an eviction case while past-due rent was paid to the landlord so the tenant could stay.

That same report shows the program served about 1,770 households in the prior year but only a few dozen in fiscal 2025, which suggests most of its money has been spent. We could not find a current application page. Call 214-819-1968 to ask whether any rental or eviction diversion funds are available now, and ask to be told if new funding arrives.

The county’s housing programs page also lists short-term rent help for low-income residents with a disability who do not yet receive Social Security, workers’ compensation, or other disability benefits. That program is reached at 214-819-2000. The page does not say whether it is currently open, so confirm with the county.

City of Dallas rent and utility help

If you live inside Dallas city limits, the City of Dallas Office of Community Care runs a Social Services program. When we checked, its page said rental assistance was not accepting applications, while utility help for electric, water, and gas bills was processed as funding allows. The city cannot give rent or utility help to people who live outside Dallas city limits, even if they have a Dallas mailing address.

• Intake: call 214-670-8416. The city does not take walk-ins.
• Hours: listed as weekday mornings; confirm when you call.
• Homeless prevention: some households are screened for the federal Emergency Solutions Grant program, which a caseworker will contact you about if you meet its rules.

If you live in a suburb such as Garland, Irving, Mesquite, or Grand Prairie, ask 211 whether your city runs its own program. For an overview of other city resources, see our guide to City of Dallas financial assistance.

Housing vouchers from DHA and the county

Vouchers are long-term help, not emergency rent. You usually pay about 30% of your adjusted income, and the housing agency pays the rest to the landlord. Two agencies serve the area, and you can apply to both when their lists are open.

• Dallas Housing Authority: DHA Housing Solutions for North Texas runs Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing across several North Texas counties. In 2026 it announced a new lottery and waitlist process, so check its lottery schedule and applicant portal online.
• Dallas County Housing Agency: the county’s housing agency runs its own voucher program. Its page said the waiting list was closed when we checked. Call 214-819-1871 to ask when it may reopen.

To learn how vouchers work and how your share is figured, see our guide to the housing choice voucher program.

Charities and 211 in the Dallas area

Charities often fill the gap when public programs are closed. Their help is usually smaller, such as part of one month’s rent, and money can run out early in the month, so call early and be ready with your documents.

• 211 Texas: 211 Texas keeps the most current list of open programs. Dial 211 or 877-541-7905, and ask specifically about rent, utility, and eviction help in your ZIP code.
• Catholic Charities Dallas: Catholic Charities Dallas runs homelessness and housing services and can be reached through its helpline at 866-223-7500. Help is open to people of any faith.
• Salvation Army DFW: the Salvation Army in Dallas-Fort Worth offers emergency assistance and shelter at local centers. Ask the nearest center about rent help.
• Churches and community centers: many local congregations help members of their neighborhood with one-time costs. 211 can point you to them.

Texas eviction rules after SB 38

Texas Senate Bill 38 changed eviction procedures for cases filed on or after January 1, 2026. The new rules move cases faster, which makes it even more important to act as soon as you get a notice.

This is a short summary, not legal advice. The Texas Justice Court Training Center publishes plain-language eviction information for tenants. If you get court papers, go to your hearing. Missing it usually means you lose by default.

Free legal help for Dallas renters

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas gives free civil legal help to eligible low-income people in Dallas County. Call 888-529-5277 or apply online, and say you have an eviction case and when your hearing is. The Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center (469-436-2704) also helps tenants with eviction cases. A lawyer can check whether your notice was proper, whether you have defenses, and whether a payment agreement is possible. For more statewide options, see our guide to eviction assistance in Texas.

Who usually qualifies for rent help

Each program sets its own rules, but most look at the same things.

• Where you live: county programs need a Dallas County address; city programs need an address inside that city.
• Income: many limits are a share of area median income, such as 50% or 80%, and depend on household size.
• A hardship: job loss, reduced hours, a medical bill, or another change that made rent hard to pay.
• A path forward: many programs want to see that you can pay rent on your own after the help ends.
• A lease in your name: help is usually paid to the landlord, so the landlord may need to fill out a form.

When every program says it is out of money

It is common to hear “no funding right now.” That does not mean there is nothing to do.

• Ask each agency to keep your contact details and call you when funds return.
• Talk to your landlord in writing about a payment plan, and keep copies.
• Apply for SNAP so more of your income can go to rent. You can estimate benefits with our SNAP calculator.
• Ask 211 about utility help, since lowering one bill can free up rent money.
• Look at state programs in our Texas rent relief guide.

Rent help scams to avoid

Real rent programs never charge a fee to apply or ask for payment by gift card, wire, or app. Be careful with social media posts promising fast approval, “guaranteed” grants, or a place on a Section 8 list for a fee. Only DHA and the county housing agency can put you on their lists. If someone calls claiming to be from a program, hang up and call the number listed on the agency’s own website.

What documents do I need to apply?

Expect to show photo ID, Social Security numbers for the people applying, proof of income for the last 30 days, and proof of where you live, plus any paper that shows the emergency itself. Our document checklist explains what counts for each item and what to do if something is missing. If you don't have everything yet, apply anyway and ask the office how long you have to bring the rest.

Getting rent help this week, step by step

1. Read your notice and write down the amount and any deadline or court date.
2. Dial 211 and ask which Dallas County rent programs have money now.
3. Call Dallas County at 214-819-1968, and the City of Dallas at 214-670-8416 if you live in the city.
4. Contact Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army for one-time help.
5. Call Legal Aid at 888-529-5277 if you have an eviction notice or court papers.
6. Tell your landlord in writing that you have applied, and keep copies of everything.
7. Apply for vouchers through DHA or the county when lists open, for longer-term help.

For more local options, see our guides to emergency rent assistance in Dallas and Catholic Charities Dallas hardship help.

Related guides

• Dallas County emergency financial assistance
• 211 Texas financial assistance
• Fastest way to get Section 8
• Eviction assistance in Texas

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Program funding and eviction rules change. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with Dallas County, the City of Dallas, or any housing agency.