Texas Rent Relief Program: What Happened to It and Where to Get Rent Help Now

What the Texas Rent Relief program did

TDHCA launched Texas Rent Relief in early 2021 to help renters who fell behind during the COVID-19 pandemic. It could pay past-due rent, some future rent, and utility bills for eligible low- and moderate-income households, with payments usually sent straight to landlords and utility companies.

The money came from the U.S. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance program. Treasury says Congress provided $25 billion in the first round and $21.55 billion in the second, more than $46 billion in total, shared among states and local governments. Texas Rent Relief was the state’s share; large Texas cities and counties also ran their own ERA programs.

A related effort, the Texas Eviction Diversion Program, worked with justice courts so that landlords and tenants could settle unpaid rent with rental assistance instead of an eviction judgment. TDHCA has reported that Texas Rent Relief paid more than $2 billion to help hundreds of thousands of Texas households. Those are TDHCA’s published program totals; check TDHCA for final figures.

Is Texas Rent Relief still open?

No. Texas Rent Relief first stopped taking new applications in November 2021 after requests outpaced funds. It reopened briefly in March 2023 and closed early because of heavy demand, and the program then wound down later that year. Treasury now says the period for spending the second round of ERA funds ended on September 30, 2025, so ERA money can no longer be used to help renters.

No new statewide rent relief program has replaced it as of this update. Be careful with any website or caller that says it can reopen your Texas Rent Relief application for a fee. If a new state program opens, it will be announced by TDHCA, which is the agency to trust.

Where Texas renters can get help now

Without one statewide fund, the fastest path is usually through local agencies that still get federal, state, city, and charity money for rent emergencies. Funds open and close often, so check more than one.

• 211 Texas: dial 211 or search online for rent and utility programs by ZIP code. It is run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• Community action agencies: local agencies run emergency help, utility assistance, and sometimes rent help. Find yours with TDHCA’s Help for Texans search, which lists help by county and type of need.
• Homelessness prevention programs: Emergency Solutions Grants and Continuum of Care programs can pay rent arrears for people at risk of losing housing. Ask 211 which agency handles intake in your area.
• Charities: the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, and local churches often help with part of a month’s rent.
• Utility help: paying your electric bill through energy assistance can free up money for rent. Ask your community action agency about the state’s energy assistance program.

Our national guide to rent relief programs covers more options, and our emergency rental assistance in Texas guide goes deeper on local funds.

City and county rent programs

Many large Texas cities and counties have run their own rental assistance programs, often through a housing department or a nonprofit partner. These programs tend to open for short windows when new funding arrives. To find them:

• Check your city or county housing or community development department’s website.
• Ask 211 Texas whether any local rent fund is open now or expected to open.
• Ask your local public housing authority about waiting lists for Housing Choice Vouchers and other subsidized housing.
• Ask the justice court that handles evictions whether a local eviction diversion or mediation program is available.

Eligibility usually depends on income, often a share of area median income, plus proof of a hardship and an amount owed. Each program sets its own limits.

Help for veterans, seniors, and families

Some programs serve specific groups and may have money when general funds are gone.

• Veterans: the VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program helps very low-income veteran families keep or find housing. The Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance funds local groups that may help with housing costs.
• Families with children: ask about TANF one-time payments and local family service agencies. Our 211 Texas financial assistance guide lists more.
• Older adults and people with disabilities: your local Area Agency on Aging and disability service groups may know of emergency funds.
• Survivors of domestic violence: family violence programs can help with emergency housing and moving costs.

Texas eviction rules after SB 38

Texas passed Senate Bill 38 in 2025. According to the Texas Justice Court Training Center, it changed eviction procedures for suits filed on or after January 1, 2026. The enrolled bill text and Texas Property Code Chapter 24 are the official rules.

Your landlord cannot lock you out or shut off utilities to force you out without following the law. For a fuller walk-through, see our eviction assistance in Texas guide and the Texas State Law Library eviction guide.

Free legal help for Texas renters

Talking to a lawyer early can make a big difference, especially if you have a hearing date. Free help is available for many low-income renters.

• TexasLawHelp.org: free guides, forms, and a directory of legal aid groups.
• Regional legal aid: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas serve different parts of the state.
• Law school clinics and tenant councils: some cities have tenant rights groups that give free advice.
• Texas Attorney General: the renters’ rights page explains basic tenant protections.

Rent help options compared

Avoiding rent relief scams

Scammers still use the Texas Rent Relief name. Watch for these warning signs:

• A fee to apply, to “reopen” an old application, or to speed up a payment.
• Requests for gift cards, payment apps, or wire transfers.
• Texts or social media messages saying you were “approved” for a program you never applied to.
• Websites that look official but are not on a .gov address or a known nonprofit.

Real programs never charge to apply. If you are unsure, call 211 and ask whether the program is real.

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.

What to do this week, step by step

1. Read any notice from your landlord and write down every date.
2. Talk to your landlord and ask for a payment plan in writing while you seek help.
3. Dial 211 and ask which rent funds are open in your county.
4. Contact your community action agency through TDHCA Help for Texans.
5. Apply to more than one source, such as a charity and a local program, and tell each one about the other.
6. Call legal aid if you have a notice to vacate or a court date, and go to every hearing.
7. Apply for SNAP and utility help to free up money for rent.

Related guides

• Emergency rent assistance Texas application
• Community action agency emergency assistance in Texas
• Emergency housing vouchers in Texas
• Texas utility relief programs

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Program funding changes often. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with TDHCA or any government agency.