Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs - Building Homes and Strengthening Communities

Texas Covid-19 Housing Resources and Information

General Information

State Covid-19 Resources

Texas Division of Emergency Management
Visit https://tdem.texas.gov/covid-19/

Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP)
Visit https://taahp.org/covid-19-resources/

Texas.gov COVID Resources
For fast tracking nursing licenses, Medicaid and CHIP Services, small business disaster assistance, and more, visit https://www.texas.gov/covid19/

Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Visit https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/coronavirus-covid-19

Texas 2-1-1
Visit https://www.211texas.org/search/

Texas Department of State Health Services: For Information on What to Do if You Are Sick, Testing Information, Symptoms, Prevention Tips, and more visit https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/

Texas Education Agency (TEA)
For information on Texas School closings, superintendent debriefs, general guidance, and FAQs, visit https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/coronavirus-covid-19-support-and-guidance

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
For job resources, visit https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/job-seekers-resources

Office of the Governor
For news from the Office of the Governor, including Executive Orders pertaining to COVID-19, visit https://gov.texas.gov/news

Federal Covid-19 Resources

Federal Government Response
Find out what federal government agencies are doing in response to COVID-19. Visit https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The USDA has published a resource matrix that organizes funding opportunities identified in stimulus bills and other federal resources that can help support rural America. Opportunities are categorized by customer and assistance type. Visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf.

Federal Trade Commission
Avoid Coronavirus Scams https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing

Federal site for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Visit https://www.coronavirus.gov/

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Visit https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention
Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD Guidance on disease risk and prevention at www.hudexchange.info

United States Veterans Administration at https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Visit https://www.fdic.gov/coronavirus/index.html

U.S. Small Business Administration (USDA)
Visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

  • Disaster Loan Assistance

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Homeowners

Reduced or suspended payments for qualified homeowners affected by Covid-19 may be available. To learn more:

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Renters

Recognizing that Covid-19 may have impacted renters across the state, the Texas Apartment Association (TAA) offers the following guidance to households who may have experienced a loss or reduction of income and are concerned about paying their rent.

Guidance If You Are Unable to Pay Rent and Utilities

  • First: Contact your property manager.
  • Ignoring notices and requests to contact your Property Manager is not advised. Frequent and timely communication is the best course of action.
  • HUD has published a document that assists tenants in understanding and pursuing rent repayment agreements with their landlords. The document includes links to helpful resources and a sample script for requesting a repayment agreement from a landlord:
    https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/COVID-19-Tenant-Guidance-Rent-Repayment-Plans.pdf
  • For Help Paying Rent or Utilities:
    • For Direct Assistance: Apply online at TexasRentRelief.com or
    • For a Local Provider for Rent: Learn about TERAP and how to locate a local provider
    • For a Local Provider for Utilities: Learn about CEAP and how to locate a local provider

Bill Payment Help

  • If you need rent payment assistance, local organizations and agencies may be able to help you.
  • Many non-profits and faith-based organizations may also offer emergency financial assistance. There may also be assistance to help with other needs, such as utility or medical bills.
  • Search for local resources that may serve your area on TDHCA's Help for Texans page at https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/texans.htm

Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher

  • Both public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) residents who experience a loss or reduction of wages should contact their housing authority to see what may be done to provide assistance.

Good Health and Safety Practices During the Pandemic

Resident Services and Access to Amenities

During this crisis, rental communities are following CDC recommendations to practice social distancing and take measures to limit spread of the virus. As a result, rental properties may:

  • Close select or all amenities
  • Ask you to pay rent online
  • Close office to non-employees
  • Limit repairs to emergency situations only
  • We realize that these actions may be inconvenient but are intended to help protect you, your neighbors and people who work at the property.

We realize that these actions may be inconvenient but are intended to help protect you, your neighbors, and people who work at the property.

Communal behaviors to limit the contamination spread

  • Wash your hands often, avoid touching your face and practice respiratory hygiene
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Clean and disinfect your apartment to maintain a healthy environment
  • Limit contamination of common amenities, such as the communal gym, movie room, or a playground, by using disinfecting wipes before and after you use the equipment. Avoid using common areas and amenities if you are sick.
  • Limit visitors—Practice social distancing by limiting visitors to your unit or inviting friends/family to share common areas with you.

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DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this site is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only. TDHCA does not endorse any specific organization listed on this site.