TDHCA Press Room

TDHCA Launches First Statewide COVID-19 Rental Relief Program

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) launched the state’s first statewide Texas Rent Relief Program. The program will assist landlords and tenant with rent and utility payment assistance. TDHCA is accepting applications beginning on Monday, Feb. 15. Out of $25 billion dedicated nationally through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, TDHCA was awarded $1.3 billion in emergency relief funds, which will go toward rent and utility expenses.

Eligibility information is currently available at TexasRentRelief.com or by calling 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368) to speak with someone directly. The call center is open Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Applicants can complete an application by phone or submitting an online application at TexasRentRelief.com. Assistance will be available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Korean.

To qualify, households must be at or below 80% of the area median income as well as meet several other criteria. Per federal guidelines, TDHCA will prioritize applications for an initial time period for households at or below 50% of the area median income level, and households where one or more members are currently unemployed and have been for at least 90 days. To be in the priority group, applications must be received by Sunday, Feb. 28, after which time all qualifying applications will be processed based on the order in which they were received until all funding has been committed. Landlords are encouraged to apply on behalf of tenants, who must co-sign the application.