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The Texas Rent Relief Program was a vital statewide initiative. It provided financial aid to Texas renters struggling with rent and utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched in February 2021, the program supported low- and moderate-income households. This support helped them maintain stable housing during a severe economic challenge.
This assistance covered eligible expenses dating back to March 13, 2020. It served as a critical lifeline for many Texas families.
It is important to know that the Texas Rent Relief Program has concluded. The program is no longer accepting applications. The portal was last open to new applications in March 2023. This article explains the program's history and provides information on current resources still available.
The main goal of the Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) was to prevent evictions. It also aimed to support housing stability for renters financially impacted by the pandemic. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) administered the program.
Funding came from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. This federal support allowed the state to create a comprehensive assistance system for renters.
The TRR program was closely linked with the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP). TEDP worked to decrease evictions by fostering agreements between landlords and tenants over unpaid rent.
By offering rental assistance, the state helped tenants stay in their homes while ensuring landlords received compensation. TDHCA's administration of both programs created a coordinated effort to address housing insecurity.
Who Was Eligible?
Eligibility for the program depended on two main factors: household income and financial hardship due to COVID-19. Generally, households with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) could apply. This focus ensured help went to those most vulnerable.
The related Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) had extra criteria. A household needed to be in an active eviction lawsuit with a court docket number.
At least one household member also had to certify they qualified for unemployment or experienced a loss of income or financial hardship due to the pandemic. A key feature of the TRR program was that both tenants and landlords could start the application.
The program offered significant financial help for various housing costs. Renters could get assistance for:
After the first three months of future aid, applicants could request another three months if funds were available. This offered a path for households to regain stability.
The program's impact was massive. Over $2.2 billion in rent and utility assistance was paid. This funding helped more than 323,000 Texas households.
This program is closed, but its application process was designed to be accessible. Eligible households submitted their applications online through the official Texas Rent Relief website.
A toll-free call center was also available for those needing help or preferring to apply by phone.
Applications were processed in the order they were received. However, priority was given to applicants facing imminent eviction. This ensured timely help for those in the most critical situations.
The Role of the Texas Eviction Diversion Program
The Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) was a key part of the state's strategy. It was a voluntary program within the eviction court process. It helped landlords and tenants resolve non-payment issues.
If both parties were eligible, the program could cover all past due rent and utilities. This would lead to the eviction case being dismissed.
When an eviction case was filed, judges discussed TEDP with both parties. If both were interested, the judge would pause the eviction proceedings for 60 days. This pause allowed time for the rental assistance application to be processed. TEDP successfully facilitated over $243 million in assistance for over 25,000 applicants.
TDHCA also managed the Housing Stability Services (HSS) program. This program recognizes that stability often requires more than just financial aid. It is funded by the same ERA funds as the TRR program.
HSS helps income-eligible households maintain stable housing through various support services. These services include:
TDHCA allocated over $209.8 million to the HSS program. A large portion of HSS funding ($44.5 million) was given to legal aid organizations to provide eviction prevention and other legal services.
Unlike the closed rent relief program, HSS provides services, not direct financial aid. This program is estimated to continue operating through July 2025.
The Texas Rent Relief Program is closed and no longer accepting new applications.
For individuals in Texas who still need housing assistance, several alternative resources exist:
Essential Resources and Contact Information
The Texas Rent Relief Program was instrumental in supporting renters during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provided billions in aid and helped hundreds of thousands of households.
Although this specific program has ended, its impact was clear. For those still needing help, alternative programs remain. Resources like TexasUtilityHelp, local city programs, and the ongoing Housing Stability Services (HSS) program continue to offer support.
No. The Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) is permanently closed and is no longer accepting new applications. The program, which provided emergency rent and utility aid during the pandemic, concluded its operations.
If you received payments from the Texas Rent Relief Program, you may have been issued a 1099-MISC form for tax purposes. This is common for government assistance. If you have questions about your form, contact the TRR tax form hotline at (844) 440-1291.
The TEDP was a special part of the rent relief program. It allowed judges to pause eviction cases for 60 days if the landlord and tenant agreed to seek rental assistance. This program successfully prevented over 25,000 evictions by providing funds to resolve the cases.
The program was a historic effort, paying out over $2.2 billion in rent and utility assistance. This aid successfully helped more than 323,000 Texas households avoid eviction and maintain stable housing during the economic crisis.
The Housing Stability Services (HSS) program is a related TDHCA program estimated to run through July 2025. It does not pay rent but instead funds services like legal aid for eviction defense, case management, and housing counseling to help Texans find and keep stable housing.
No, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) does not provide direct rental assistance to individuals. TDHCA funds local partner organizations. To find help, you must use their "Help for Texans" website to find a local provider in your area.
No. Texas 211 is a free, confidential information and referral service. It did not manage the Texas Rent Relief Program but is now the best starting point to find help. You can dial 2-1-1 to get connected with local charities or government programs that may have current funding.
Yes. While the TRR program is closed, assistance may be available through TexasUtilityHelp.com. This separate state program is designed to help low-income homeowners and renters with past-due utility and water bills.
The TBRA program is a different type of long-term assistance, not for emergencies. It provides monthly rent subsidies and security deposits to low-income families. Unlike the emergency TRR program, TBRA often involves a waitlist and is managed by local housing authorities.
Start by calling 2-1-1 to learn about local emergency resources. You should also check the "Help for Texans" page on the TDHCA website and contact local non-profits directly, such as Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, and local community action agencies.
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