Behind on rent or utility bills?
The Texas Rent Relief Program is here to help.
COVID-19 has affected Texans across the state. We have emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities).
Do I Qualify? Apply NowFor Information, Call Toll-Free or Email:
1-833-9TX-RENT • 1-833-989-7368 • info@texasrentrelief.com
Monday-Saturday • 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST • Help is available in multiple languages.
About the Texas Rent Relief Program
Both landlords and tenants can use this website to create an account and submit their application.
If you need assistance completing an application, our customer service staff can complete the application with you by phone by calling 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368).
The Texas Rent Relief Program can help renters with the following costs starting as far back as March 13, 2020.
(this means you could potentially request assistance for up to 11 months of past due bills):
Landlord Application
For Landlords applying for unpaid or future rent on behalf of tenants:
- All payments must be used to satisfy the tenant’s rental obligations.
- The tenant must sign the application.
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What can I do to get ready?
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- Identify which units and households you think qualify.
- Reach out to your tenants with language barriers or tenants with disabilities to make them aware of the program.
- Confirm that the households you have identified meet the eligibility criteria noted below, gather documentation for the household and have it scanned and ready.
- Seek the household’s signature for the application and have it scanned and ready.
Tenant Application
For households applying directly for unpaid or future rent or utilities:
- You can apply directly and invite your landlord to participate.
- The system will invite your landlord to create an account and provide information.
- If your landlord does not want to participate, you can still apply.
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What can I do to get ready?
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- Look at the Do I Qualify? list below and see if your household qualifies.
- Gather your required documents.
- If you are in a priority group, apply before March 8.
- Let your landlord know you are planning to apply and they will need to sign off, too.
Do I Qualify?
Answer a few quick questions to see if your household qualifies.
Payments
All payments will be made directly to the landlord and/or utility provider unless they do not agree to accept the payment. If they do not accept payment, the payment will be made directly to the tenant after 14 days of outreach to the landlord and/or utility provider to confirm their refusal.
Prioritization
For all applications received by March 8, TDHCA will first review and commit funds to applicants who meet one of the two priority groups below:
- Have incomes at or below 50% Area Median Income, OR
- Households where one or more household members are unemployed as of the date you apply for assistance, AND one or more household members (this can be the same household member) were unemployed for 90 days prior to the date you apply for assistance.
Eviction Diversion
A portion of the funds have been set aside specifically for households whose landlords have already sued for eviction in their local court. The application process is the same, and only households in this situation can receive this funding.
Unable To Access the Online Application?
Tenants who are unable to access the online application may call the call center to submit tenant account registrations over the phone. As part of this process documentation will be accepted by postal mail or electronically by email at the following addresses.
Postal Mail:
ATTN: Texas Rent Relief Program
785 Greens Pkwy
Houston, Texas 77067
Email:
info@texasrentrelief.com
To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
All TDHCA employees and contractor employees have a responsibility to report waste, fraud and abuse within the agency. The public is also invited to share such concerns.
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse please call (833) 61-FRAUD or (833) 613-7283.