Millions of Texans are threatened with eviction because they find it difficult to pay their rent due to economic reasons. There are housing assistance programs in Texas to help you get through your situation. Please keep on reading this article for more information.
The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Program
PRA program provides project-based rental assistance to low-income individuals with disabilities. The program was established through a partnership between the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and eligible multifamily properties. The program offers individuals with a disability, the opportunity to live as independently as possible through the coordination of various activities while providing several rental housing options to the eligible. Unfortunately, this program is only accessible in specific metropolitan areas. https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/section-811-pra/docs/MSA-Counties.pdf shows where the program is available. For more information, please visit https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/section-811-pra/index.htm.
Texas Low-Income Housing Information Service
The Texas Low-Income Housing Information Service is a non-profit organization to support low-income individuals to get access to safe, decent and affordable housing in Texas. The organization work with housing counselors who guide applicants and provide them with several affordable housing options in the community of their choice.
Community Action Corporation of South Texas (STHHA) Program
STHHA program is designed for veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Through the program, the veterans and their dependents can access safe and affordable housing. The program provides monthly rental assistance in form of security deposits and support in settling utility bills. Also, the program provides veterans with case managers offers referrals. The intention is to help the veterans meet their housing, and other basic needs while meeting achieving their educational and employment goals. Find out more at https://www.texvet.org/resources/community-action-corporation-south-texas.
Community Services, Inc.
Community Services, Inc. provides supportive services to low-income individuals, including utility and home and energy efficiency and transportation. The community action agency has helped thousands of Texans achieve stabilization and satisfy their basic needs in their homes. Funds allocated for this program can be used to provide rental assistance and to enhance the growth of individuals and communities in Texas. Please visit https://www.texvet.org/resources/community-services-inc to learn more about the program.
Greater East Texas Community Action Program (GETCAP)
GETCAP was established in 1965 to provide a variety of supportive services, including housing assistance to low-income individuals and families. The individual programs are designed to address the housing problems in East Texas counties served by the agency. The program also provides energy assistance services to low-income households with high energy burdens. Besides, the program offers eligible individuals and households with weatherization services, which are designed to help stop air infiltration in their homes. For more information, please visit https://www.get-cap.org/.
The East Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center
The East Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center are committed to providing safe and affordable housing to individuals residing in the East Texas Area. The individuals are offered the chance to choose where they want to live. The ETADRC uses the Housing Navigator Funds to build relationships with rental owners, property managers, and developers who wish to make housing affordable to the residents. For more information, please visit http://www.etxadrc.org/programs/housing/.
The Healthy Community Collaborative
The Healthy Community Collaborative helps people facing housing problems, including homelessness, eviction, or foreclosure to get out of their situation by connecting them with the available community resources. The program promotes collaboration between public and private sectors to integrate services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and disability, such as mental illness or substance disorders. HCC helps individuals regain recovery and safely get back to their communities and reunite with their families. Visit https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/adult-mental-health/adult-mental-health-housing to learn more about HCC and other housing programs.
Permanent Supportive Housing Program
The Permanent Supportive Housing Program helps people who are at risk of facing homelessness to find safe, and affordable housing. the program also helps those eligible gain the skills required to keep housing and live as independently as possible. You must be 18 years or older to qualify for this program. You must also be eligible for services by the local mental health authority or local behavioral health authority, accessible at https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/find-your-local-mental-health-or-behavioral-health-authority.
Supportive Housing Rental Assistance Program
This program helps individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless with temporary rent subsidies, utility payment, and move-in costs. The program also works hand in hand with other agencies to prevent homelessness and provide rapid re-housing to ensure people Texans are kept housed and regain stabilization. It provides rental and utility assistance to eligible individuals who must receive mental health services at the LMHA or LBHA and are experiencing homelessness and are also willing to apply for the Section 8 Housing Program. Visit https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/find-your-local-mental-health-or-behavioral-health-authority to find out if LMHA or LBHA provides supportive housing and rental assistance to individuals in need of help.
Stop TX Eviction
Stop TX Eviction work to assist people who are unable to afford their rent to understand the rights and the eviction process, and help them find rent assistance resources in their local areas. You should know that eviction is not a crime and when your landlord evicts you for failure to pay your rent, it doesn’t mean you have committed an offense. However, eviction is a serious matter since you could become homeless. Don’t hesitate to ask for help whenever you are at risk of facing eviction. Stop TX Eviction can help you get the legal information you need to get through the eviction process. The program can also help you get access to the right documents that may be needed in court and assist you in applying for free legal support services in your community. Visit https://stoptxeviction.org/app/ to get the support you need.
Texas Eviction Diversion Program
The Texas Eviction Diversion Program works to support tenants in paying their rent and stay safely in their homes. How does the program work? Well, whenever you are at risk of facing eviction from your landlord for failure to pay rent, you should go to court. Once you go to court, this program requires that you and your landlord are offered a chance to apply for up to six months’ worth of rent. If the tenant and the landlord work together and manage to get this rental assistance, the court will dismiss the eviction. That way, you get to maintain your home as your landlord gets paid for the arrears. Please visit https://stoptxeviction.org/ for more information.
The Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness Program
PATH program funds supportive and housing services to enable adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The program is federally funded and is awarded contractors and re-procures by HHSC. Do you want to learn more about PATH and other housing programs? please visit https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/adult-mental-health/adult-mental-health-housing.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
Texas’ Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program offers housing assistance to families and individuals facing financial hardships. The goal of the program is to ensure all Texas residents can access decent and affordable housing in the public housing market. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). Al the applications for this program are submitted to the PHAs, who process them and maintains the waiting lists. The PHAs are responsible for closing the waiting lists for each location once funds become unavailable. At this point, the PHAs will no longer accept any application for Texas’s Section 8 Housing Voucher Program. Texas Section 8 participants are allowed to choose from the available rental apartments. After which, the PHAs will inspect the chosen apartments to ensure they meet the required quality and safety. A contract is then signed between the tenant and the landlord. The PHA in charge will also sign a contract with the landlord and then pay the rent subsidy directly to the landlord. Want to search for affordable section 8 housing in Texas, please visit http://www.hud.gov/apps/section8/step2.cfm?state=TX%2CTexas.
Eligibility requirements
- Only residents of Texas can qualify for Texas Section 8 Housing Assistance. are you living out of Texas? Well, why don’t you apply with the PHA operating within your state of residence?
- Applicants should fall within the family status; either disabled, senior, and homeless individuals.
- You must meet the low-income requirements in Texas.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or be in the country legally with the right documents for proof.
- You must prove to be a good tenant. Anyone who has been in ail for drug-related crime is not eligible for Texas’s Section 8 Housing Assistance.
For more information, please visit https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/section-8/.
USDA’s Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Texas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development administers the Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Texas. Just as the name suggests, the program offers financial assistance to homeowners in form of loans and grants. Loans are designed for low-income homeowners to help them with the repair and modernization of their homes to improve their quality. On the other hand, the program provides grants to the seniors in the community to help them remove the health and safety hazards in their homes. For more information, please visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants/tx.
Texas Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The purpose of this program is mainly to supplement the energy cost of families spending most of their income to pay utility bills. apart from supplementing energy cost, the program also provides relief during heat-related emergencies. Besides, the program offers free repair/replacement equipment as benefits for households with inoperable heating equipment. Who qualifies for the Texas LIHEAP program? You must be a resident of Texas and in need of financial assistance for utility costs. You should be receiving SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance, or Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone). Visit http://www.liheap.us/texas-heap/ to learn more about the program.