Texas Rental Assistance Pilot
The Texas Supreme Court issued Emergency Action 27 in Texas counties as a pilot for an Eviction Diversion Program - to start Monday, October 12, 2020.
What is it?
Through the 27th Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster (which provides $127 million for evection prevention, as well as $4.2 million for legal assistance), The Supreme Court of Texas established the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP), with funding allocated through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) by Governor Greg Abbot.
The TEDP is a voluntary program which could help eligible Texas tenants remain in their homes and off the streets, while also assisting participating landlords to find alternative actions to eviction. The goal is to reduce the number of evictions and entries into homelessness by developing alternative solutions to non-payment rent issues. If the tenant and landlord are each eligible for the program, and both agree to participate, renters could receive up to six months of back rental assistance. Assistance can also be used to pay the full contracted rent that is past due (up to five months), and the remainder may be used to pay for subsequent months of assistance (up to a total of six months).
Who is participating in the pilot?
The TEDP is planned to be effective on Monday, October 12. The Office of Court Administration has selected the following counties to participate in pilot program:
| Bee | Bexar | Brazos | Chambers | Deaf Smith |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso | Erath | Fannin | Grayson | Harris |
| Jim Wells | Kleberg | Montgomery | Palo Pinto | Parker |
| Potter | Randall | San Patricio | Wise |
Who is eligible?
The TEDP was developed to assist all eligible Texas tenants, who have been sued for being behind in their rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This diversion program could help tenants stay in their homes for up to six months, and provide landlords with alternatives to eviction. See the eligibility requirements below.
Landlord Eligibility Criteria:
- Assistance for rent no older than April 2020
- Rent for household assisted may not exceed the THDCA maximum limits
- Bank account required and must accept direct deposit
Please Note:
- Units that are owned by a unit of government may be ineligible
- Units that are already receiving project-based assistance or public housing units are ineligible
Tenant Eligibility Criteria:
- Household income at or below 200% of poverty
- Household has been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Please note, tenants are ineligible if they:
- Are receiving tenant-based voucher assistance
- Are in a unit receiving project-based assistance
- Are in public housing
Where can I find more information?
- Click here to view information on the TEDP, developed by the Texas Judicial Branch
- Call 855-270-7655 (toll-free hotline) for individuals seeking legal assistance
- Click here to view information on the TEDP, developed by the TDHCA
- Call 800-525-0657 or 512-475-3800 (pick option 4) for more information on the TEDP
- Click here to view how to receive help as a Texas resident
