Texas renters who are behind on rent, facing eviction, or struggling with a security deposit can get help from a mix of statewide nonprofits, church‑based programs, and government‑funded eviction prevention services. Most programs across Texas — including the Salvation Army, community action agencies, and county assistance offices — offer applications and assistance in Spanish. This page explains the major organizations that serve people across Texas, then provides a county‑by‑county directory so you can quickly find programs in your city or community.

Statewide programs that help Texas residents pay their rent

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has operated in Texas since 1889 and maintains one of the largest emergency assistance networks in the state, with locations in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo, Beaumont, Bryan/College Station, and dozens of smaller cities. When funds are available, local Salvation Army offices provide emergency payments to help tenants cover back rent and avoid eviction, as well as help with utility bills and in some cases moving costs.

Because each location manages its own limited budget, availability varies — contacting the nearest office as early in a housing crisis as possible gives the best chance of getting help. Applicants generally need a current lease, documentation of the unpaid rent amount, and some form of income or hardship information.. See the NHPB Salvation Army directory page for more details.

Texas Homeless Network and Member Agencies
The Texas Homeless Network (THN) is a statewide nonprofit that coordinates housing resources across 215 Texas counties — everything outside the major metro areas that run their own separate Continuums of Care. THN does not provide direct financial assistance to individuals, but its network of member agencies does. These member organizations across the state operate emergency rental assistance programs, rapid re-housing services that help formerly homeless individuals get back into stable housing, and eviction prevention funds that pay back rent directly to landlords.

THN connects communities to federal housing dollars and trains local service providers on best practices. Renters in smaller cities and rural parts of Texas looking for emergency housing help are most likely to benefit from an agency in THN's network. Some of this funding comes from the Texas Ending Homelessness Fund, which collects voluntary donations from Texans when they renew their vehicle registration. See the website at https://www.thn.org/ - we also have a more extensive guide on the agency at the NHPB Texas Homeless Network program page.

Eviction Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing
Across Texas, local nonprofits receive Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding — federal money administered through the state — to run eviction prevention and rapid re-housing programs. Eviction prevention funds can pay back rent directly to a landlord to stop an active eviction case. Rapid re-housing helps people who have already lost housing find a new place, often covering security deposits, application fees, and the first month's rent. Community action agencies, which cover all counties, are often a good contact point for referrals - see the Texas community action agency program directory page.

Texas also funds its own state program — the Homeless Housing and Services Program — which sends millions of dollars a year to the state's largest cities, including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, and Plano. HHSP money supports homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing, and dedicated services for young adults under 24, delivered through each city's housing department and nonprofit partners.

Both types of programs require documentation — typically a lease, an eviction notice or court paperwork, proof of income, and a picture ID — and funds go on a first-come, first-served basis. Programs open and close depending on how quickly funding runs out in a given county, so applying as soon as a housing crisis begins matters. Find eviction prevention and rapid re-housing programs in Texas, listed by county.

Section 8 Income-Based Housing
For Texas renters who qualify, federal Section 8 housing choice vouchers subsidize monthly rent in private market apartments, with tenants paying 30 percent of their income and the government covering the rest. In Texas, the program is managed by public housing authorities — TDHCA (website: https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/) serves as the housing authority for 34 smaller counties while major cities including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso run their own independent authorities.

Waitlists are long at most Texas housing authorities and close when they exceed capacity, so checking the status of the list in your area before applying saves time. Find background on the HUD vouchers and details about income-based Section 8 housing vouchers in Texas.

State Cash Assistance — Texas TANF
Texas Health and Human Services (website: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/) provides Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash grants to low-income families with children. TANF is not specifically designated for rent, but recipients use the cash for housing costs, including back rent. Participation connects families with job training, childcare support, and case management. See the NHPB guide to TANF in Texas.

Free Legal Help for Texas Tenants

Low-income renters in Texas who are facing eviction can access free legal representation through regional legal aid organizations — Lone Star Legal Aid for the Houston area and southeast Texas, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas for the Dallas–Fort Worth region, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid for San Antonio, Austin, and south Texas. These attorneys defend tenants in eviction court, challenge wrongful Section 8 terminations, and assist with landlord-tenant disputes at no cost to qualifying applicants. The earlier a tenant contacts legal aid in the eviction process, the more options are available. See the free legal help for tenants in Texas guide page.

HUD Resources for Texas Renters

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development lists tenant-facing housing assistance resources, including how to find HUD-approved housing counselors who provide free advice to renters on avoiding eviction, understanding lease agreements, and navigating housing programs. See https://www.hud.gov/states/texas for details on TexasHUD resources for renters.

Moderated Forum - experiences and tips from Texas residents

Tenants across Texas have shared real experiences with local rental assistance programs in the community discussion forum linked below. The thread includes candid accounts of which agencies are actively helping, what the application process looks like in specific counties, and practical tips from people who have already navigated these programs. Reading through can help set expectations before you call. Join the conversation and read more in the forum on rent assistance programs in TX.

Rent Help for Texas Veterans

Texas runs its own state-funded assistance system for veterans, separate from federal VA programs. The Texas Veterans Commission's Fund for Veterans' Assistance awards Housing for Texas Heroes grants to county Veteran Service Offices and nonprofits across the state, which use the money to provide temporary rent, mortgage, and utility payment relief to veterans, their spouses, and dependents. Many county Veteran Service Offices in Texas currently hold these grants — contact the Veteran Service Officer in your county to apply. Veterans at risk of homelessness can also get help with back rent, security deposits, and moving costs through Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) providers operating throughout Texas.

Local Texas rent assistance programs by city and county

In addition to the statewide programs above, the cities and counties below have dedicated rental assistance programs run by local nonprofits, charities, and government offices. Most use a mix of federal grant funding, United Way support, and private donations. Funds are limited in almost every county, and programs typically serve households on a first-come, first-served basis. Select a region below for contact information and details on how to apply in your area.

Amarillo area and Potter County

Austin and Travis County

Bastrop County

Bell County

Brazoria County

Brownsville and Cameron County

Collin County

Comal County

Coryell County

Corpus Christ area as well as Nueces County

Dallas - City of Dallas and Countywide rent relief programs

Denton County