The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has received approximately $1.3 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the newly passed Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program. TDHCA is using the funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities).
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 with the following costs starting as far back as March 13, 2020:
- 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, households can apply for 3 additional months of assistance if funds are still available
Households must have incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and meet other qualifications. Full details are available at TexasRentRelief.com.
To help with outreach, TDHCA created a toolkit with printable tenant flyers as well as social graphics, which will be available for use later this week.
TDHCA is holding two identical informational sessions on Friday, February 12, 2021, at noon and 3 p.m., Central Time. The sessions will provide general program information to landlords, apartment associations, Community Action Agencies, Council of Governments and any other interested associations or organizations interested in learning more about the program to share with their stakeholders.
Register at the following link to join the 12 p.m. (noon), Central Time, webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5202218733421377293.
Register at the following link to join the 3 p.m., Central Time, webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4817535898746438413.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Program eligibility information is currently available at TexasRentRelief.com or by calling 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368) to speak with call center representatives. The call center is open Monday thru Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Assistance is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Korean.
Applicants can complete an application by phone or submitting an online application at TexasRentRelief.com starting 8 a.m. on Monday, February 15.
We look forward to working with you to spread the word about the Texas Rent Relief program to assist tenants and landlords with financial relief.