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

Texas Covid-19 Housing Resources and Information

General Information

Texas 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
Visit https://texas.gov/#covid19

  • Donate or sell supplies, services, equipment
  • Drive-through COVID-19 testing
  • Fast-track nurse licensing
  • Medicaid and CHIP services
  • Register to volunteer
  • School meal finder for students
  • Small business disaster assistance
  • Unemployment benefits

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

Texas 2-1-1
Visit https://www.211.org/services/covid19

Texas Department of State Health Services
Visit https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/

  • What To Do If You Are Sick
  • Testing Information
  • Symptoms
  • Prevention Tips
  • More

Texas Hotel and Lodging Association
Visit https://texaslodging.com/coronavirus2020/

Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Visit https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/coronavirus-covid-19-support-and-guidance

  • Texas School Closings
  • Superintendent Debriefs
  • General Guidance and Faqs

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
Visit https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-job-seekers

  • Unemployment Benefits and Job Resources

Office of the Governor
Visit https://gov.texas.gov/news

  • News from the Office of the Governor Including Executive Orders Pertaining to COVID-19

Federal Covid-19 Resources

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

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

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

  • Travelers
  • Households
  • Pregnant Women & Children
  • People Who are Sick
  • Small Business Owners
  • Schools
  • Businesses
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Health Departments
  • Laboratories
  • Latest news

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

  • List of disinfectants for use against Covid-19
  • Drinking water FAQs

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

  • Resources for Homeless Shelters
  • Guidance on Protecting Yourself and Others
  • Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Covid-19
  • How to disinfect your home if someone is sick
  • How to take care of yourself at home if you are sick
  • What are the symptoms
  • Online Covid-19 Symptom Checker
  • Resources for Community and Faith-Based Organizations
  • More!

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

  • FDIC Statements Insuring Bank Deposits are Safe and Warning Consumers of Scams
  • FDIC Information for Banks and Consumers
  • FDIC Tips for Managing Debt and Reaching Out to Creditors

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:

As of March 18, 2020, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) suspended foreclosures and evictions for 60 days for FHA-insured and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac-backed mortgages.

Federal Resources

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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.

Unable to Pay Rent

  • 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.

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

Determining if your Rental is subject to CARES Act Moratorium

Private entities have compiled lists of properties that they consider to be subject to the CARES Act eviction moratorium. The links are provided, below. Though TDHCA did not create and has not verified the accuracy of these tools, and is not responsible for the content of these linked resources, they may provide a helpful resource for tenants seeking to determine whether their address is subject to the CARES Act eviction moratorium.

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.

Evictions have been halted

  • On April 27, 2020, the Texas Supreme Court issued an emergency order that prohibits courts from acting on standard evictions (i.e. non-forcible entry and detainer – a person may still face eviction for posing an imminent threat of physical harm to others, or engaging in criminal activity) until after May 25, 2020. Landlords may have hearings to obtain a writ of possession as early as May 18, 2020, but the actual eviction (for such things as non-payment of rent) cannot occur until after May 25, 2020.
  • Other recent federal and state law actions may provide you further relief from eviction for non-payment of rent, especially if you live in multi-family development that has benefitted from federal funding, or if you or the development participate in any of a number of federal programs.
  • The information above does not represent a legal opinion or analysis by TDHCA, and should not be construed or relied upon as such. In all cases, TDHCA encourages Texans dealing with an eviction to seek appropriate legal counsel or contact their local legal aid office in order to get accurate and complete legal information that is applicable to their unique circumstances.

Be prepared to pay rent even though evictions have been halted

  • Yes—the court’s temporary halt of evictions does not affect your obligation to pay rent.

Utility bills

  • Several but not all Texas electricity providers have suspended disconnects and are waiving late fees during the COVID-19 crisis. Please check directly with your provider on what options they offer during this time. Remember that even if disconnection is suspended, your bills will continue to accrue.

How to move/apartment hunt during the pandemic

  • Practice basic prevention—Take the usual precautionary measures, including not shaking hands, washing your hands after your visit is concluded, not touching your face and not touching surfaces, especially in common areas. Use hand sanitizer.
  • Consider virtual tours
  • Inquire about safety measures in place—Apartment communities are incorporating additional measures during this outbreak, such as deep-cleaning and disinfecting high-traffic surfaces. They may have closed or limited access to common rooms, gyms and laundry rooms. They may be stationing hand-sanitizer around the building. Finally, inquire how was the unit you plan to rent sanitized.
  • Vet your moving/van rental company—Before scheduling your move, inquire what sanitation procedures your moving company has in place. Ask for movers to wear gloves to avoid contaminating your belongings. Alternately, consider moving your belongings yourself to minimize exposure, but make sure to enquire about sanitation procedures your moving van rental company has in place.

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.

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.

Self-Isolation Tips

  • To avoid unnecessary contact, or maintenance staff entering your unit, consider notifying the management that you are undergoing self-isolation or quarantine.
  • Avoid close contact with other people and pets.
  • Maintain respiratory hygiene (use tissues, cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing).
  • Keep your apartment clean and organized to maintain a healthy environment. Clean regularly and sanitize often using items like Lysol spray and Clorox wipes on “high touch" surfaces including countertops, tabletops, doorknobs, nightstands, bathroom fixtures, toilets, refrigerator handles, kitchen faucets, light switches, TV remotes, cell phones, computer keyboards and tablets.
  • Do not leave your unit unless it is an emergency. Do not use common areas.
  • Postpone non-essential maintenance requests.

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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.