Elijah Grant
The Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) was a federally funded initiative that provided aid to thousands of pandemic-affected households. The program offered up to 18 months of rent and utility assistance, covering past-due, current, and future payments. It was first launched as a pilot in 2020 and introduced statewide in 2021 with the goal of assisting tenants and landlords impacted by the pandemic. However, the program closed in November 2021 due to a lack of funds. It briefly reopened in March 2023 but had to close again due to an overwhelming number of applications. While the program is not currently accepting applications, Texans facing financial challenges can explore other resources, including debt relief plans, tax credits, and financial assistance programs offering cash aid, food stamps, and rental help. It is recommended to regularly check the Texas Rent Relief website and news from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for updates on the program's status and potential future openings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | February 2021 |
| Closure Date | Summer 2023 |
| Reopening Date | March 16, 2023 |
| Reclosure Date | March 16, 2023 |
| Funding | $2.1 billion in emergency funds |
| Households Served | 316,000 |
| Household Income Criteria | Below 80% of Area Median Income |
| Households Served Below 50% of Area Median Income | 82% |
| Assistance Provided | Rent and utility relief |
| Total Assistance | Over $550 million |
| Households Assisted | 80,000 |
| Assistance Period | Up to 18 months |
| Application Status Website | TexasRentRelief.com |
| Application Status Phone Number | 833-9TX-RENT (833-989-7368) |
| Legal Assistance | https://texaslawhelp.org/eviction-referral |
| Legal Assistance Phone Number | 855-270-7655 |
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What You'll Learn
The Texas Rent Relief Program is currently closed
The program closed in November 2021 due to a lack of funds. It was briefly reopened in March 2023 but had to close again as the number of requests greatly exceeded the funding available. The Texas Rent Relief Program has helped over 316,000 households in 250 Texas counties and prevented evictions for more than 21,000 households.
Despite the closure of the program, there are still other resources available for those facing financial challenges in Texas. These include debt relief plans, tax credits and rebates, and various financial assistance programs offering cash aid, food stamps, and rent assistance.
It is recommended to regularly check the Texas Rent Relief website or news from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for updates on whether the program is accepting applications again. Alternatively, those seeking assistance can contact their local HUD office, call 211 to find local nonprofits and affordable housing options, or seek legal assistance if facing eviction.
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The program provided over $550 million in assistance
The Texas Rent Relief Program has provided over $550 million in assistance to more than 80,000 Texas households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with another $46 million committed to being paid. The program was first launched as a pilot program in fall 2020 and was then introduced statewide in 2021 with the goal of providing emergency assistance to tenants and landlords affected by the pandemic. Households with incomes below 80% of the area median income were eligible if they met other eligibility requirements.
The program can help renters with costs starting as far back as March 13, 2020, including past-due, current, and up to 2 months of expected rent and utility costs. After the initial 3 months of forward assistance, renters can apply for 3 additional months of assistance if funds are still available. The Texas Rent Relief Program employs more than 1,650 staff, most working 7 days a week to help applicants across all 254 Texas counties.
The program was closed in November 2021 because it ran out of money. It was briefly reopened in March 2023 but had to close again because the requests received far exceeded the funding available. While the Texas Rent Relief program isn't currently open, it is still processing previously submitted applications.
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The program prioritised applicants facing imminent eviction
The Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) was a federally funded initiative that began in February 2021. It aimed to provide emergency assistance to tenants and landlords impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offered rent and utility relief, helping Texans facing financial challenges to remain stably housed. As of July 2021, TRR had distributed over $500 million to more than 80,000 households.
One of the key priorities of the Texas Rent Relief Program was to support applicants facing imminent eviction. The program recognised that many Texans were at risk of losing their homes due to financial hardships caused by the pandemic. To address this, TRR prioritised applications from tenants whose landlords had filed for eviction. Applicants could also indicate if they were at risk of utility disconnection due to non-payment, which would further prioritise their application.
The program required applicants facing eviction to include a valid eviction docket number in their application. This ensured that those with the most urgent need for assistance were prioritised. By providing rent and utility assistance, TRR helped prevent evictions and kept Texans in their homes.
In addition to TRR, the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) also played a crucial role in preventing evictions. TEDP allowed courts to pause eviction cases while tenants and landlords applied for rental assistance. It provided training to court administrators on accessing rental assistance and made lump-sum payments to landlords for past-due rent and late fees, enabling tenants to remain in their residences.
While TRR is currently closed to new applications, Texans facing financial challenges have several resources available to get back on track. These include debt relief plans, stimulus checks, and various financial assistance programs offering cash aid, food stamps, and rent assistance.
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The program assisted with rent and utility payments
The Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) and the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) were statewide programs that provided rent and utility assistance to low- and moderate-income Texans. The programs aimed to help Texans remain stably housed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The TRR was funded by the Texas Rent Relief Program, which provided assistance with rent and utilities for households at risk of eviction and with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The program could help with up to 18 months of rent and utility payments, covering past-due, current, and future payments. It also assisted with late fees. To apply for the program, applicants needed to provide paperwork such as past-due rent notices, utility bills, or eviction notices.
The TEDP allowed courts to pause eviction cases while tenants and landlords applied for rental assistance. It also provided training to court administrators about how tenants and landlords could access rental assistance. The program extended up to six months of assistance to eligible applicants facing eviction lawsuits due to overdue rent.
In addition to the TRR and TEDP, there were other programs that provided assistance with rent and utilities. The Housing Stability Services (HSS) Program provided a range of services, including legal, outreach, shelter, community, and permanent supportive housing services, to households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provided assistance with utility bills. The Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) program provided vouchers for specific types of vulnerable households.
While these programs provided much-needed assistance to Texans during the pandemic, they have faced challenges. The TRR, for example, had to close in November 2021 because it ran out of money. It reopened briefly in March 2023 but closed again due to an overwhelming number of applications. As of March 16, 2023, the TRR is no longer accepting new applications or additional funding requests. However, it continues to process previously submitted applications. Texans facing financial challenges are encouraged to seek help through other resources, such as debt relief plans, stimulus checks, and financial assistance programs.
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The program helped low and moderate-income Texans
The Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) and the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) were the first statewide rental and utility assistance and eviction diversion programs in Texas. The programs were launched in February 2021 and closed in the summer of 2023. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) administered the programs with Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The program helped low and moderate-income Texans remain stably housed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Texas Rent Relief Program provided over $550 million in assistance, helping tenants and landlords avoid eviction. The program helped more than 80,000 households, with a 350% increase in funds disbursed between mid-May and July 2021. The program provided up to 12 months of back-due rent and up to three months of future rent stability for tenants, as well as utility assistance.
The Texas Eviction Diversion Program allowed courts to pause eviction cases while tenants and landlords applied for rental assistance. The program provided training to court administrators about how tenants and landlords could access available rental assistance. Lump-sum payments were made to participating landlords for past-due rent and late fees so that tenants could remain in their homes. Through the Texas Eviction Diversion Program partnership with the courts, more than 25,000 applicants received more than $243 million in assistance and had their evictions stopped and made confidential from their records.
The Housing Stability Services (HSS) Program allocated more than $209.8 million of ERA funds to local communities and non-profits to keep Texans housed and prevent homelessness. Through December 2023, 98,746 households have been assisted by HSS-funded organizations. Of the total ERA HSS funds, $44.5 million has been allocated to legal aid organizations to provide eviction prevention and other housing stability-related legal services.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Texas Rent Relief program is not currently accepting applications. The program closed in March 2023 because the number of requests received was much higher than the funding available.
To be eligible for the Texas Rent Relief program, a household's income must be below 80% of the Area Median Income. Additionally, at least one household member must be qualified to receive unemployment insurance benefits, and the household must demonstrate that they are at risk of experiencing housing instability, homelessness, or inhabiting unhealthy or unsafe conditions.
The Texas Rent Relief program provided over $2.1 billion in emergency funds for rent and utility relief, serving over 316,000 households in Texas.
If you are facing financial challenges, there are several resources available in Texas that can help. These include debt relief plans, stimulus checks, and financial assistance programs that provide cash aid, food stamps, and rent assistance. You can also contact your local HUD office, call 211 to find local nonprofits and affordable housing options, or visit the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) website for updates on the Texas Rent Relief program.
