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Rent & Legal Assistance

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

Texas Rent Relief Program (TDHCA)

The Texas Rent Relief (TRR) program provides Texas tenants with financial help with rent and utility bills. This COVID-19 relief program was created in 2021 by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).

TDHCA announced that they would be accepting new applications in March of 2023 to distribute the remaining funds.

The application portal opens Tuesday, March 14th at 8 a.m. and closes Thursday, March 16th, at 11:59 a.m.

To contact the Texas Rent Relief program, please call 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368).

Texas Rent Relief (TDHCA)
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) created the Texas Rent Relief program to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities).
Texas Rent Relief Program FAQ (TDHCA)
This page has answers to questions about the Texas Rent Relief Program for both landlords and tenants. Info about the decision to end the program and eviction diversion is included as well.

Other Rental Assistance

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.
Help for Renters (CFPB)
This tool helps find state and local rent and utility assistance near your location.

Legal Assistance

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.

Utility Relief

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.

More help?

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.

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