By Rightful Advice 
The Texas Rent Relief program, once a major source of pandemic-era support for renters, no longer accepts new applications. Statewide initiatives administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), including the Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) and related efforts funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds, closed in 2023. Federal ERA2 funding periods ended on September 30, 2025.
Renters facing financial hardship in April 2026 still have access to localized emergency assistance, long-term rental subsidies, and legal protections under Texas law. This guide explains available options, application processes, and key tenant rights, including 2026 updates to eviction procedures under Senate Bill 38 (SB 38). Information draws from official state agencies, federal regulators, and established legal frameworks to help affected households navigate housing stability.
Disclaimer: This article provides informational context based on publicly available regulatory and legal resources as of April 2026. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult qualified legal counsel or appropriate government agencies for advice specific to their situation. Program availability and eligibility can change.
Historical Context of Texas Rent Relief
The Texas Rent Relief Program (TRR) and Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP), launched in February 2021, represented one of the nation’s earliest statewide responses to COVID-19 housing instability. Administered by TDHCA with federal ERA funds, these programs distributed more than $2.2 billion in rent and utility assistance to over 323,000 households. They also paused certain eviction proceedings while applications were pending.
A related effort, the Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program (TERAP), closed to new applicants in January 2022. By summer 2023, core TRR and TEDP operations had ended as federal funds were exhausted. Remaining Housing Stability Services (HSS) funding supported local nonprofits and legal aid through mid-2025 in some areas.
These closures align with the national wind-down of ERA programs. The U.S. Department of the Treasury confirmed that grantees could no longer issue new assistance payments after the September 2025 performance deadline. Renters and landlords now rely on ongoing state, local, and nonprofit resources rather than centralized pandemic relief.
Current Emergency Assistance Options
No statewide “Texas Rent Relief” program exists for new applications in April 2026. Instead, assistance flows through local providers funded by TDHCA, cities, counties, and nonprofits. Funds support rent, utilities, deposits, or short-term aid to prevent eviction or homelessness.
Key access point: TDHCA’s Help for Texans webpage directs individuals to local rental assistance providers. TDHCA does not accept direct applications; funds are distributed through contracted local governments, public housing authorities, and nonprofits.
Call 2-1-1 or visit 211texas.org to connect with housing resources based on your county. Operators can identify emergency rent or utility programs, often prioritizing households with eviction notices or recent income loss.
Nonprofit organizations, including the Salvation Army’s Texas Division, continue to offer emergency rent and utility assistance. Local programs may cover past-due rent, current rent, or limited future months, subject to available funding. Eligibility typically requires proof of income (generally at or below 80 percent of area median income), a lease, and documentation of hardship. Some programs require landlord participation; others do not.
Examples of active or recently funded local efforts include programs in Bexar County (San Antonio), Tarrant County, Galveston County, and select cities such as Houston, Fort Worth, and Irving. Availability fluctuates. Contact your city or county housing department directly or use the TDHCA Help for Texans tool to locate providers in your area.
Long-Term Rental Assistance: The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program
For households needing sustained support, TDHCA’s Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program offers rental subsidies for up to 24 months (with possible extensions) while participants engage in a self-sufficiency program. The program also covers security deposits and utility deposits.
Funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program, TBRA targets households with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median family income. Applications are handled by local contractors, including units of local government, public housing authorities, and nonprofits.
To apply, visit the TDHCA Help for Texans page, select “Long Term Rental Assistance,” and enter your city or county. Providers determine eligibility and maintain waiting lists where demand exceeds supply.
Reduced-Rent and Affordable Housing Resources
TDHCA maintains a Vacancy Clearinghouse for rent-restricted apartments developed with state and federal tax credits or other subsidies. Additional listings appear through HUD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for rural areas. These resources help renters locate units with income-based rents rather than one-time aid.
Tenant Rights and the 2026 Eviction Process
Texas landlord-tenant law, governed primarily by the Texas Property Code, requires landlords to follow specific procedures before removing a tenant. Effective January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 38 (SB 38) modernized the eviction process. Key changes include:
- Justice courts now focus exclusively on possession (who has the right to occupy the property). Separate suits handle money damages.
- Landlords must provide at least three days’ notice to vacate (or as specified in the lease). Delivery methods include personal service, mail, posting, or electronic notice if the lease permits.
- Hearings occur within 10 to 21 days after filing. Tenants receive a short response window in some cases.
- Appeals must be filed within five days. Tenants appealing must deposit one month’s rent into the court registry and file a sworn statement of good faith. Rent payments into the registry continue monthly during the appeal; failure to pay can result in immediate loss of the property.
- A new summary disposition process addresses squatters (unauthorized occupants with no lease), allowing faster removal with proper evidence.
- First-time late rent may qualify for a limited grace period under certain leases, though it does not prevent enforcement of lease terms.
These reforms aim to streamline proceedings while preserving tenant defenses such as habitability issues, retaliation claims, or fair housing violations. Tenants facing eviction should respond promptly to notices and consider legal aid.
Legal representation can strengthen defenses and, in some cases, facilitate negotiated settlements using remaining local assistance funds. Free or low-cost legal aid is available through Texas Legal Services Center (call 855-270-7655) or texaslawhelp.org.
Practical Steps to Seek Help
- Gather documents: Valid photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, recent income proof (pay stubs, unemployment statements), lease agreement, and eviction notice (if any).
- Contact 2-1-1 or visit 211texas.org to identify local providers.
- Use TDHCA Help for Texans to locate rental assistance or TBRA providers by county.
- Reach out to your landlord early to discuss payment plans or partial payments supported by assistance.
- Apply promptly: Funding is limited and often first-come, first-served or lottery-based.
- Seek legal counsel immediately upon receiving an eviction notice or summons.
HUD-approved housing counselors (call 800-569-4287) can provide additional guidance on rights and options.
Additional Emergency Support
Beyond rent, households may qualify for utility assistance through local providers or energy efficiency programs. Veterans should contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs housing resources. Manufactured home residents have separate TDHCA support lines.
Conclusion
While the era of large-scale Texas Rent Relief has ended, Texas renters retain multiple pathways to housing stability through local emergency assistance, long-term subsidies, affordable housing listings, and updated legal protections. Acting early and connecting with 2-1-1, TDHCA resources, or legal aid maximizes available support. For the most current information, visit tdhca.texas.gov/help-for-texans or 211texas.org.
This guide reflects regulatory frameworks from TDHCA, HUD, the Texas Legislature, and established court procedures. Program details may evolve; verify eligibility directly with providers.
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