Houston Eviction Prevention assistance and Rapid Rehousing.
There are agencies in Houston that coordinate housing resources across the greater Harris and Fort Bend County area. While most of the support is from referrals, including from the United Way, some do provide grants. Other agencies do not offer direct financial aid themselves, but the non-profits are a source of information. Tenants facing eviction and the homeless can learn about everything from motel vouchers to rehousing, legal aid, and are able to apply to funds for rental expenses or security deposits.
The non-profits as charities are sometimes part of the Continuum of Care, or COC. They can also help arrange legal aid as part of the Homeless Court, administer a data base of financial aid programs, and have details on services available by a number of Houston area service providers.
Information on emergency financial aid to stop an eviction
The United Way 211 service can have information on providers that receive funding from government resources such as ESG. This is a grant program that will pay for many things, including Security Deposit/First Month's Rent Assistance, Emergency Homeless Shelters, and Past-Due Rent. Non-profits in the community also offer a wide range of other services to assist low-income Harris County households.
The currently homeless are also a top priority. ESG can be used to provide them with a voucher to pay for a motel for night or two. Or there may be funding available for moving expenses when they are stable and able to move into a low income apartment. So rehousing is a major focus of the various non-profits as well as charities in Houston.
These resources are funded through the federal and state governments, but each has been tailored to meet the particular needs of the people in the community. There are even eviction and rehousing services focused on veterans, single moms, the disabled, and senior citizens in Houston Texas that are living on a fixed income. So terms and the application process will vary.
Mediation. As part of this process of trying to find a solution, housing counselors and attorneys work with the landlords and lenders. This is one other resource that can be used to stop an eviction.
This is a service for eligible tenants with a pay or quit notice or even homeowners who have foreclosure proceedings pending in Fort Bend or Harris County. There is no charge for the mediation services. This process involves trying to find a payment plan for any rent arrears as well as meeting with a counselor or an attorney to prepare a workout package to be submitted to a landlord or lenders.
The United Way of Houston Texas may be able to refer struggling tenants to legal aid or other services that can help with Housing Court needs. There are programs that help low- and moderate-income households in Harris County avoid eviction, maintain tenancy, and understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants. The program:
- Supports tenants during mediation sessions with landlords or apartment managers.
- Ensures that clients’ rights are observed in court.
- Helps in review or court documents.
- Coordinates various pro-bono attorneys across both Harris County and Fort Bend that offer free legal advice.
Rapid rehousing support for the Homeless
Permanent Housing Stability is a program that helps families attain stable homeownership or enter into a new lease agreement with a local landlord. The coalition and the Continuum of Care partners will work with the individuals through a step-by-step management plan.
If and when some of the goals have been met, then the agencies that are part of the United Way of Houston may offer small dollar amounts of monetary assistance. The funds or no interest loans issued can be used to pay for rent expenses, utility connection fees, housing, local moving expenses and credit counseling. All of this is also combined with case management, along with other services.
Qualified applicants must be homeless and have children under the age of 18 as well as be living in Houston. Other eligibility criteria include employment for at least six months prior to application to permanent housing, a long term goal of homeownership and a willingness to enter case management.
Phone number for eviction prevention and rehousing in Houston region
For crisis response services, including homeless or eviction prevention in Houston, dial 211.
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