This guide is updated to reflect information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. Information in this guide is subject to change at any time.
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Most of the tenant protections and assistance available during the COVID-19 pandemic has now ended or expired. Please see the Eviction page of our Landlord/Tenant Law guide for more information on Texas eviction procedures.
At this time, the federal moratoriums on certain types of evictions for residential tenants have ended:
While the eviction moratorium in the CARES Act has expired, it's possible that the requirement for the extra 30-day notice to vacate in addition to the notice required by Texas law is still in effect. An article from Texas Law Help has more details:
You may want to speak to a lawyer for help determining if the 30-day notice to vacate requirement in the CARES Act applies in your situation
This page provides the text of the CARES Act, which became a law on 03/27/2020 (Public Law No: 116-136).
This article on local ordinances that require longer periods of notice to vacate for tenants has a discussion on the 30-day requirement in the CARES Act.
The Texas Eviction Diversion Program expired in July of 2023. This program allowed tenants waiting for rent assistance to pause eviction cases.
This emergency order issued in April of 2023 by the Texas Supreme Court sets an expiration date of July 1st, 2023 for the Texas Eviction Diversion Program.
Details about the end of the Texas Eviction Diversion Program affects cases sealed under this program.
The Texas Rent Relief Program ended in July of 2023 after all the available funds were distributed. This federally-funded program provided financial assistance for rent and utility bills for tenants at risk of eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are several programs administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs that offer financial assistance with past due utility bills. There may also be local assistance in your area.
Texas Utility Help provides financial assistance with past due utility bills for low-income homeowners and renters who qualify.
Find programs to help you with rent or utility payments, help you find a rent-reduced apartment, help you find emergency housing or homeless shelters, and more.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for a list of local rent and utility assistance programs in various cities and counties in Texas.
This tool helps find state and local rent and utility assistance near your location.This interactive map and searchable database from the National Low Income Housing Coalition can be used to find state and local emergency rental assistance programs near you.
The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) was created by Congress as part of the American Rescue Plan. It is intended to prevent issues like foreclosure and mortgage delinquencies and defaults. Funds from the HAF may be used for: Funds from the HAF may be used for:
The Texas version of this program is administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
The Texas Homeowner Assistance Fund Program (TXHAF) provides financial assistance to qualified Texas homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage and related expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This page has answers to questions about the Texas Homeowner Assistance Fund (TXHAF). This article from Texas Law Help explains the basics of the TXHAF.The Department of the Treasury provides an overview of the Homeowner Assistance Fund on their website.
Please see the Avoiding Foreclosure page of the Foreclosure guide for more information on getting help with your mortgage.
This page has information on mortgage relief that is available to homeowners who have been affected by COVID-19. It has been updated to reflect the extended relief for borrowers from from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA, USDA, and FHA.