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

TDHCA Pandemic Help for Texans

Quick Links

  • Help Paying Rent or Utilities:
    • For Direct Assistance: Learn about TexasRentRelief.com. Program continues to process previously submitted applications. Program continues to process previously submitted applications but is no longer accepting new applications or additional funding requests after 03/16/23.
    • For direct Utility Assistance: Learn about TexasUtilityHelp.com. Program is taking applications for past due and future utility and water/wastewater payments.
    • For a Local Provider for Utility Assistance: Learn about the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program and how to locate a local provider
  • Help Paying Mortgage Loans:
    • For Mortgage Assistance: Learn about the Homeowner Assistance Fund. Program is taking applications for past due mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance, HOA/condo fees, and utility bills.

TDHCA Program Funds for Pandemic Response

The programs offered by TDHCA in response to the COVID-19 pandemic include funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Coronavirus Relief Bill Funds, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). TDHCA also received funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), allowing for added capacity to assist low-income households with energy and water/wastewater payments. Eligibility requirements vary by program. Programs originally set up by the Department in response to the pandemic, but which have already used all of their funds, or for which funds were very limited, are not listed below.

Rental Assistance Programs

  • + Texas Rent Relief (No New Applications Accepted After 03/16/23)- reveals a new section
    • Two allocations for Emergency Rental Assistance – an initial $1.3 billion from the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 and a subsequent $1 billion under ARPA.
    • Provides assistance with rent and utilities for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income.
    • Administered by TDHCA – funds are available directly to tenants. Program continues to process previously submitted applications but is no longer accepting new applications or additional funding requests after 03/16/23.
    • TexasRentRelief.com or call 833-9TX-RENT / 833-989-7368.
    • Stay informed about these funds by joining TDHCA’s email list and subscribing to the ‘Pandemic Related Rental Assistance for Tenants and Landlords’ topic.
  • + Texas Eviction Diversion Program- reveals a new section
    • Funded by the Texas Rent Relief Program.
    • Funds are specifically to help prevent evictions. Provides assistance with rent and utilities for households at risk of eviction at or below 80% of Area Median Income.
    • Administered by TDHCA – funds are available directly to tenants. Program continues to process previously submitted applications but is no longer accepting new applications or additional funding requests after 03/16/23.
    • Learn more about TEDP.
    • TexasRentRelief.com or call at 833-9TX-RENT / 833-989-7368.
  • + Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV)- reveals a new section
    • Provides vouchers for specific types of vulnerable households. Vouchers are issued only to those referred to TDHCA by partnering Continuums of Care.

Other Assistance Programs

  • + Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)- reveals a new section
    • TDHCA received $842 million under ARPA.
    • Provides assistance to eligible homeowners to help avoid mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and help prevent the displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020.
    • Learn about the program: www.TexasHomeownerAssistance.com.
  • + Housing Stability Services (HSS) Program- reveals a new section
    • Approximately $166 million funded through Emergency Rental Assistance funds.
    • Provides households at or below 80% Area Median Income with a variety of services including legal services, outreach services, shelter services, community services, and services offered at permanent supportive housing properties in order to maintain or obtain stable housing.
    • Administered by local providers and legal services providers.
    • Learn about HSS and how to locate a local provider.
  • + Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)- reveals a new section
    • Two allocations from USHHS: an initial $51.8 million from the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 and subsequent allocation of $40.5 million under ARPA.
    • Administered through Texas Utility Help (www.TexasUtilityHelp.com) or by existing network of Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program subrecipients.
    • Provides assistance with paying water/wastewater utility bills.
    • For Help: Visit www.TexasUtilityHelp.com for the statewide web-based application or for a local provider go to Help for Texans and select the “Utility Bill Payment Help” option, OR call toll free 877-399-8939 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If calling from a landline, the system will directly connect you with the service provider in your county.
    • Learn more at https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/community-affairs/lihwap/index.htm.
  • + HOME Investment Partnerships-American Rescue Plan Program- reveals a new section
    • Provided through an allocation of $132.9 million of HOME Funds authorized by ARPA.
    • Funds are programmed for the production or preservation of affordable housing including permanent supportive housing, purchase/development of non-congregate shelter, and capacity building/operating costs for eligible nonprofits.
    • Learn more about TDHCA’s HOME-ARP.

Additional Pandemic Funds for Existing TDHCA Programs with Local Providers

  • + Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)- reveals a new section
    • Two allocations from USHHS of LIHEAP for CEAP: an initial $94,023,896 from the CARES Act and subsequent allocation of $134.4 million under ARPA.
    • Administered through Texas Utility Help (www.TexasUtilityHelp.com) or by existing network of Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program subrecipients.
    • Activities include electric and gas utility bill payment assistance.
    • For Help: Visit www.TexasUtilityHelp.com or Help for Texans and select the “Utility Bill Payment Help” option, OR call toll free 877-399-8939 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If calling from a landline, the system will directly connect you with the service provider in your county.
    • Learn about the CEAP Program.