Rent & Legal Assistance

See our Eviction page for information on the CDC's eviction moratorium and other eviction topics.

Rental Assistance

Texas Rent Relief (TDHCA)
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has created the Texas Rent Relief program to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). TDHCA will accept applications from landlords and tenants beginning Monday, February 15, 2021, at 8 a.m., Central Time.
Help for Texans (TDHCA)
Find programs to help you with rent or utility payments, help you find a rent-reduced apartment, help you find emergency housing or homeless shelters, and more.
NLIHC COVID-19 State and Local Rental Assistance
This interactive map and searchable database from the National Low Income Housing Coalition can be used to find state and local emergency rental assistance programs near you.

Free Helpline for COVID-19 Legal Issues (SMU Dedman School of Law)
Free legal hotline to get help with matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including: housing, immigration, or consumer protection.
Housing Legal Advice Hotline (St. Mary's School of Law)
A free legal hotline available to South Texas residents. Call to schedule an appointment with a legal representative. You will get a 30-minute legal consultation with information, advice, and resources.
Tenants' Rights Workshop
Hosted every Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m., by the Texas Tenants' Union in Dallas. Issues covered include leases, eviction, deposits, and repairs with one-on-one help available after the workshop. Bring your lease and any other written information about your problem.

COVID-19 Information for Texas Utility Customers
This page has information about utility relief that is available for electricity and water customers in Texas.
Nearly 600,000 Texans Will Lose Access to a Program That Prevented Electricity Shut-Offs During the Pandemic on Oct. 1 (8/27/2020)
This news article describes the phasing out of a program designed to halt utility shut-offs that was implemented in March. Some households will still qualify for the program while others will not.
Texas Regulators Vote to Ban Residential Utility Shut-Offs During Pandemic While Buoying Companies (3/26/2020)
This news article provides an overview of the Texas Public Utilities Commission's recent order and how it will affect customers in Texas.

FreeLegalAnswers.org
This website allows you to ask a lawyer a legal question in writing for free. You can even upload documents for an attorney to review.
Get Help From an Attorney
Our Legal Help guide has information on free legal hotlines, legal clinics, and legal aid organizations, as well as information on how to find a lawyer who could represent you.
Ask a Librarian
Questions? Ask us! Librarians at the State Law Library can provide information about the law, but cannot give legal advice.