Austin Is Ending Its Rental Assistance Program — Here's What Renters Should Do Now
If you're a renter in Austin, Texas, and you've been relying on — or hoping to access — the city's rental assistance program, you need to know that Austin is ending that program and shifting its focus to eviction prevention services instead. This is a significant change for low-income households in the Austin area, but it doesn't mean all help has disappeared. Federal and state-level programs may still be available to renters who are behind on rent or at risk of losing their housing. This guide walks you through what changed, what may still be available, and the concrete steps you can take right now.
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Key Takeaways - Austin is discontinuing its direct rental assistance program and redirecting resources toward eviction prevention services. - Texas renters facing housing instability may still have access to federal, state, and nonprofit rental assistance options. - HUD-funded programs, including Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, may provide a path to help in some Texas communities. - Knowing your income relative to the Area Median Income (AMI) and Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is the first step before applying to any housing assistance program. - Acting quickly matters — many programs have limited funding and serve applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Data Snapshot
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Texas received approximately $290 million in Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program funds through the two federal ERA rounds authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. As of the most recent federal reporting, Texas distributed ERA funds through a combination of state-administered and locally-administered programs — meaning that even as Austin shifts its local program, other funding streams administered at the county and state level may still be active in some form. For current program availability in your area, visit HUD's resource locator at https://www.hud.gov/topics/rental_assistance.
Additionally, the National Low Income Housing Coalition has documented that in Texas, a renter working full-time would need to earn well above the federal minimum wage to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment — underscoring why rental assistance programs remain critical for households earning below 50% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
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What Austin's Program Change Actually Means
Austin's decision to end its rental assistance program and pivot to eviction prevention reflects a broader national trend: as federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the pandemic era have been exhausted or wound down, many cities are reassessing how to use limited local dollars most effectively.
Eviction prevention services typically include: - Legal aid and tenant counseling to help renters understand their rights before a court date - Mediation services between landlords and tenants to negotiate payment plans - Case management connecting households to longer-term housing stability resources
These services can be valuable, but they are not the same as direct cash or voucher assistance that covers past-due rent. If you are already behind on rent and facing an imminent eviction notice, you may need to look beyond Austin's city programs.
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What Programs May Still Be Available to Texas Renters
1. Texas Rent Relief (State-Administered Program)
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) administered the Texas Rent Relief program using federal ERA funds. While the primary program has closed to new applications as federal funds were depleted, TDHCA continues to oversee other housing stability programs. Check www.tdhca.state.tx.us directly for any newly authorized or reopened assistance programs.
2. HUD Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG)
The Emergency Solutions Grants program, administered by HUD and distributed through state and local governments, funds services including: - Emergency shelter - Rapid re-housing assistance - Homelessness prevention (which can include short-term rental assistance)
In Texas, ESG funds flow through TDHCA and through Continuums of Care (CoC) in major metro areas. To find an ESG-funded provider near you, use the HUD resource locator at https://www.hud.gov.
General eligibility guidance: ESG homelessness prevention assistance is typically targeted at households at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), though some programs extend to 50% AMI. Income limits vary by household size and county.
3. Community Action Agencies
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in Texas receive federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding and often administer emergency rental assistance using a mix of federal, state, and private dollars. In the Austin area, Caritas of Austin and Foundation Communities are among the nonprofits that have historically provided rental assistance and housing navigation services.
To find your local Community Action Agency, visit https://www.benefits.gov and search for housing assistance programs in your ZIP code.
4. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
If you are not already on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist, this is a longer-term option worth pursuing even if it doesn't solve an immediate crisis. The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) administers vouchers locally. Waitlists open and close based on funding — check www.hacanet.org for current status.
General eligibility: Households typically must earn at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) to qualify, with priority often given to households at or below 30% AMI.
5. 211 Texas
Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211texas.org to be connected with a live specialist who can identify rental assistance, utility help, food assistance, and other resources available in your specific county. This is one of the fastest ways to find what's currently funded and accepting applications near you.
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Documents You'll Likely Need
Most rental assistance programs — whether city, county, state, or nonprofit — ask for a similar set of documents. Gathering these in advance can speed up your application significantly:
- Photo ID for all adult household members (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, benefit award letters, or a self-certification form if income is informal)
- Lease agreement showing your current address and landlord contact information
- Eviction notice or past-due rent notice (if applicable)
- Utility bills (if applying for utility assistance as well)
- Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) for household members (some programs do not require this for all members)
- Bank statements (some programs require 1–3 months)
Note: If you submit a form or request information through any program's online portal, you may be asked to provide consent for the program to contact you. Always review consent language before submitting.
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Realistic Timeline: What to Expect
Rental assistance processing times vary widely:
- 211 referrals and nonprofit emergency funds: Sometimes same-day to 1–2 weeks
- ESG-funded programs: Typically 2–4 weeks from application to payment
- State-administered programs: Can range from 2 weeks to several months depending on funding availability and application volume
- Section 8 vouchers: Waitlists can be months to years; this is a long-term resource, not an emergency fix
If you have received an eviction notice, contact a legal aid organization immediately. In Austin, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) and Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas may be able to help you understand your rights and timeline before a court date.
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If You're Outside Austin
This program change is specific to the City of Austin, but the broader lesson applies across Texas and the country: local rental assistance programs are often temporary and subject to funding cycles. If you live elsewhere in Texas or in another state, your local program landscape may look very different. Use https://www.benefits.gov or dial 2-1-1 to find what's currently available where you live.
Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.
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People Also Ask
Q: Is Austin's rental assistance program completely gone? A: Austin is ending its direct rental assistance program and shifting toward eviction prevention services such as legal aid and tenant mediation. Other rental assistance options — including HUD-funded programs, nonprofit emergency funds, and state-level resources — may still be available to eligible Austin-area renters. Check with 211 Texas or local nonprofits like Caritas of Austin for current availability.
Q: What income level do I need to be at to qualify for rental assistance in Texas? A: Most rental assistance programs in Texas target households earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with priority often given to those at or below 50% or 30% AMI. AMI limits vary by county and household size. Income limits are not the same as Federal Poverty Level (FPL) thresholds — your local program administrator can clarify which measure applies.
Q: Can I get rental assistance if I've already received an eviction notice? A: Receiving an eviction notice does not automatically disqualify you from assistance, and in some programs it may actually prioritize your application. Contact a legal aid organization immediately to understand your court timeline, and simultaneously apply to any open rental assistance programs. Acting quickly is critical once a notice has been issued.
Q: Does the Section 8 waitlist in Austin have any openings? A: The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) opens and closes its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist based on available funding. Check www.hacanet.org directly for current waitlist status. When open, applications are typically accepted online and processed in order of application date or by lottery.
Q: Are undocumented renters eligible for any rental assistance in Texas? A: Eligibility rules vary significantly by program. Some federally funded programs have citizenship or immigration status requirements, while certain nonprofit and locally funded programs do not. Contact a local Community Action Agency or call 211 to ask specifically about programs available regardless of immigration status in your area.
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Last reviewed: June 2026