Rental Assistance Programs

Program Details: 

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has received $1.3 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the newly passed Coronavirus Relief Bill.

TDHCA’s Texas Rent Relief program website and phone systems are up and running and ready to answer questions. TDHCA will accept applications from landlords and tenants beginning February 15, 2021, at 8 a.m. Central Time.

1. Learn more and apply online at TexasRentRelief.com
2. Learn more and apply by phone at 833-9TX-RENT / 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):

• Past due, current and up to 3 months of expected rent costs
• Past due, current or up to 3 months of expected utility and home energy expenses
• After the initial 3 months of forward assistance, you can apply for 3 additional months of assistance if funds are still available

Landlord Application

• All payments must be used to satisfy the tenant’s rental obligations
• The tenant must sign the application

Tenant Application

• For households applying directly for unpaid or future rent or utilities: If your landlord is willing to participate, you can either apply directly and the system will prompt your landlord for information, or you can work with your landlord to apply on your behalf using the LANDLORD application.

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 21 days of outreach to the landlord and/or utility provider to confirm their refusal 

Qualifications

• Household income must be at 80 percent AMI (as defined by TDHCA – info available on website) or less; AND
• One or more of the household members must have qualified for unemployment benefits; OR attest in writing that due to or during the pandemic, they:
  • Experienced a reduction in household income; or
  • Incurred significant costs; or
  • Experienced financial hardship
• AND households must also demonstrate they:
  • Are at risk of homelessness or housing instability
• Are at risk of homelessness or housing instability by providing an eviction notice or past-due utility or rent notice; OR
• Live in unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions

Program Website    Download FAQ     Apply Here

Program Details: 

• The TEDP may provide up to 12 months of rental and utility assistance for eligible tenants who are behind on their rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have been sued for eviction.
• The TEDP uses a special court process that allows courts to put eviction lawsuits on hold and divert them to the TEDP. Under the TEDP, lump sum payments are provided to landlords for rent back payments in exchange for allowing tenants to remain in their homes and forgiving late fees. Diverted cases will be dismissed and made confidential from public disclosure.
• The TEDP is a voluntary program that permits eligible landlords and tenants to agree upon a resolution to the issues raised in an eviction case. If eligibility requirements are met, past due rent obligations and utility delinquencies may be eligible to be covered in full and the eviction case dismissed. 
  1. When a landlord files an eviction case, the landlord is required to state in the petition that he/she has reviewed the information on the TEDP website.
  2. All citations (notices that a tenant has been sued for eviction) must contain the following statement in both English and Spanish and an attached copy of the "State of Texas Eviction Diversion Program" informational brochure

• Both the tenant and the landlord must agree to participate and meet the requirements listed below.

Landlord eligibility:

• Assistance for rent no older than March 13, 2020
  • Rent for the household assisted may not exceed the TDHCA maximum limits (limited available by zip code at http://texasrentrelief.com)
  • Should have a bank account and accept direct deposit
  • Units that are already receiving project-based assistance or are public housing units are INELIGIBLE
  • Units that are owned by a unit of government may be ineligible

 Tenant eligibility:

• Household has been sued for residential eviction in Texas and has eviction court docket number
• Household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (limits available by county at http://texasrentrelief.com)
• Household has been financially affected by COVID-19 pandemic
  • Qualified for unemployment benefits on or after 3/13/2020; or
  • State in writing that due to or during the pandemic you have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship
• Households must demonstrate that they are at risk of homelessness or housing instability by providing an eviction notice or past-due utility or rent notice OR live in unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions
• Tenants are INELIGIBLE if they are receiving tenant-based voucher assistance, are in a unit receiving project-based assistance, or are in public housing

Program Website    Download FAQ

Residents of Dallas County only - cities of Dallas, Irving, and Garland have their own programs. 

Program Details: 

• Dallas County has a $27 million rental assistance program.
• Applications will be processed through a lottery system.
• DCHHS is now accepting pre-screening applications online or by phone at 214-819-1968, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (CT).
• The pre-screening application form is available in English and Spanish.
• Length of assistance will not exceed six (6) months.  
• Housing assistance up to $1,500/month.

Eligibility Requirements:

• An applicant cannot currently be receiving assistance through another entity.
• Applicant must reside in Dallas County but outside the City of Dallas(verified by zip code).
• Applicant's household income must fall within the Area Median Income (AMI).

• Applicant must have suffered an economic impact on or after April 1, 2020 
• economic impact is defined as "job loss" or "reduction in income" resulting in non-payment of rental or mortgage payment

Landlord Application     Program Website

Program Details: 

• The city of Dallas has a $40.5 million rental assistance program.
• Eligible applicants - those with Household Income at or below 80% AMI - can receive up to 12 months of support of past-due rent and/or utilities dating back to March 13, 2020. 
• Provides up to $1,500/per unit per month for rental and/or utility assistance. This can be used for direct financial assistance, including rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears, and other expenses related to housing.
• Landlords and utility companies may apply on behalf of tenants who meet the eligibility requirements,so long as the tenant cosigns the application, the landlord provides documentation to the tenant, and the payments are used to satisfy the tenant’s rental obligation to the owner.
• Click here for additional rental assistance resources (city of Dallas CARES Act funding).
  
  

Documents Needed:

• U.S. Government issued ID or secondary identification
• Social Security Cards for all household members
• Lease agreement or proof of homeownership
• Proof of household income for the past 30 days
• Utility bill
• Eviction notice or mortgage delinquency notice
• Receipts for bills/expenses paid in the last 30 days

Note: Additional information may be required. Financial Assistance is based on eligibility and fund availability. Bilingual staff available.

Once the application is received, you will be contacted by email from a City of Dallas Social Services caseworker. This is not a guarantee that you are eligible to receive assistance – you must have an interview with a caseworker, by appointment only. 

***Please do not submit more than one request for assistance. 

Need Help Applying?

If you are interested in Rental or Utilities Assistance through the City of Dallas Office of Community Care, Social Services program, you may call our appointment line to speak with a caseworker, Monday - Friday | 9 am- 2 pm.

The City of Dallas Social Services program is not able to assist people who live outside of City of Dallas’ city limits with Rental Assistance.

• Make an online appointment here
  •  You will be contacted by email from a City of Dallas Social Services caseworker. This is not a guarantee that you are eligible to receive assistance – you must have an interview with a caseworker by appointment only.
• Call 
  • West Dallas Multipurpose Center: 214-670-6530
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center:  214-670-8416

Program Website    Apply Online   Online Help Appointments

Contact Information

Dallas City Hall

Candy Coblyn, Manager
1500 Marilla, 6BN
Dallas, TX 75201
O:  214-670-7312
Email: candy.coblyn@dallascityhall.com

West Dallas Multipurpose Center

Katie Adama, Sr. Caseworker
2828 Fish Trap Road
Dallas, TX 75212
O:  214-670-7229
Email: katherina.adama@dallascityhall.com

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center

Alesha Whibbey, Sr. Caseworker
2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Bldg. A
Dallas, TX 75215
O: 214-670-8205
Email: alesha.whibbey@dallascityhall.com

Program Details: 

• The city of Garland has a $7.2 million rental assistance program.
• Click here for frequently asked questions about the rental assistance program.
• Click here to apply.
• Program covers up to 12 months rental and utility assistance.
• Must be a Garland resident or property/owner manager, less than 80% of area median income, and impacted financially by COVID-19.

• Required documentation – Tenant
  • Proof of identification.
  • Proof of annual income or prior two months’ income for all members of household.
  • Copies of past-due bills.
  • Copies of eviction documents, if applicable.

• Required documentation – Landlord
  • Copy of current lease, identifying all members in residence.
  • Copy of current ledger statement, showing all charges, including late fees.
  • Signed W-9 form to allow direct payment from Catholic Charities to you.

Program Website       Apply Here     FAQ Here

Program Details:

• The city of Irving has a $7.2 million rental assistance program.
• Click here to apply. 
• The City of Irving has partnered with Catholic Charities of Dallas to administer a program that provides rent assistance to low-and-moderate income households that have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• If you need assistance completing this application or have questions, please email CCDdisaster@ccdallas.org or call 214-257-0674.

Program Website    Appy Here

Program Details: 

• Denton County has a $20 million rental assistance program available for property owners/managers and renters. The program is being administered by the United Way of Denton County.
• Property owners/managers may apply on behalf of their residents, or residents may apply directly for rental assistance.
• Click here to begin the property owner/manager application process.
• Click here to begin the renter screening process.

Program Website   Renters Screening   O/M Application 

Program Details: 

• Collin County has a $17 million assistance program that provides rental and utility assistance to qualifying households located in Collin County but outside the city limits of Allen, Frisco, Dallas, McKinney and Plano. 
• If you are unsure of which program to apply for based on your address, click here
• Click here for program guidelines.
• Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance (measured from March 13, 2020), plus an additional 3 months if the applicant is able to demonstrate that the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability and funds are available.  
• Funds will be paid directly to landlords and utility service providers who agree to participate in the rental assistance program.
• The online, pre‐screening questionnaire will be open for submissions starting at 12pm on March 1, 2021. Those qualified for the program will be notified by a third-party administrator to continue their application process. The application window will close at 12pm on October 31, 2021. 

Program Guidelines

Program Details:

• The City of Plano has a $8.6 million rental and utility assistance program.
• Click here to apply.
• Owners/managers wishing to refer renters to the rental assistance program can email the resident’s email address and apartment information to ehla@plano.gov. 
• Applicants must be Plano residents, must be at or below 80% of the area median income, and must be financially impacted by COVID-19.
• Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three (3) months, if the grantee determines the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability and grantee funds are available.

 Apply Here

Program Details: 

• Click here to apply.
• The City of Allen is eligible for funding through Collin County from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program included in Congress's latest COVID-19 relief package. The City anticipates receiving approximately $2.9 million from Collin County to administer this program.
• In addition, the City anticipates receiving $150,000 from the State of Texas for the Texas Emergency Rental Assistance and Eviction Diversion Programs. 

• These programs will be combined to aid Allen citizens with rent and utility assistance per program guidelines.

• Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three (3) months, if the grantee determines the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability and grantee funds are available.

Program Website    Apply Here

Rental assistance program available soon

Program Details: 

• The city has a $6 million rental assistance program for Frisco residents.

Eligibility

• An "eligible household" is defined as a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:
  • Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; and
  • Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
  • Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
  • Must be a City of Frisco resident (City of Frisco is the billing municipality for water)

Available Assistance

• Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three (3) months, if the grantee determines the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability and grantee funds are available.
• The payment of existing housing-related arrears that could result in eviction of an eligible household is prioritized.
• Assistance must be provided to reduce an eligible household's rental arrears before the household may receive assistance for future rent payments.
• Once a household's rental arrears are reduced, grantees may only commit to providing future assistance for up to three (3) months at a time.
• Households may reapply for additional assistance at the end of the three-month period if needed and the overall time limit for assistance is not exceeded.

Program Website    

Program Details:

• The city of McKinney has a $6 million rental assistance program for McKinney residents.
• Programs available until October 31, 2021 or funds are fully distributed.
• Eligible applicants - those with Household Income at or below 80% AMI - can receive up to 12 months of support of past-due rent and/or utilities dating back to March 13, 2020. 
• Click here to apply.

Program Website  Apply Here

DHA Housing Solutions for North Texas is now accepting applications for up to 12 months of past due and future rent assistance. This program will end at the end of 2021. It only applies to renters and owner/managers within the city limits of Dallas.