Residents can also call 211 for a list of local financial resources in their area. TDHCA will begin taking applications on Monday, February 15th, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. The Texas Rent Relief program offers funds to renters struggling due to the pandemic or the recent winter storms. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has a new relief program designed to help Texas tenants pay current and past due rent and utility bills. The funds can be used toward unpaid rent or on overdue utility bills. Funds are now specifically available to help paying off back rent and utility costs. The Texas eviction diversion program was established to help those who are behind on rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Be sure to stay informed on all upcoming announcements for these funds by joining TDHCA’s email list and subscribing to the ‘Pandemic Related Rental Assistance for Tenants and Landlords’ topic. The program will also help pay for utility bills, and will cover up to 11 months of past-due bills, going back to March of 2020 when the pandemic hit Texas. That includes a new rental assistance program. The program … Austin. But you have to reapply every three months to prove you’re still eligible. The majority of these funds will flow into existing local COVID-19 rental assistance programs. This program enables Justices of the Peace to divert tenants and landlords involved in an eviction dispute to a rental assistance and mediation program. However, at least 10% of funds will be set aside for the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP). Texas tenants behind on rent will soon be able to seek aid from $1.3 billion assistance program The statewide program will start on Feb. 15 and will be able to help tenants with past and future rent. It's all part of the $1 billion in COVID relief for the state of Texas. The Texas Law Help website has very handy information on an array of rent relief programs across Texas including application links. The Texas Rent Relief program offers funds to renters struggling due to the pandemic or the recent winter storms. You can get up to 15 months of rent assistance. The funds can be used toward unpaid rent or on overdue utility bills. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has received approximately $1.3 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the newly passed Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program. The Program is a voluntary program that seeks to reduce the number of evictions by enabling landlords and tenants to resolve the issues raised in an eviction case, supported with rental assistance for tenants provided from federal funding distributed through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. TDHCA is using the funds to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). If you have any questions about the program, rent or utility bill assistance, please call the Texas Rent Relief call center at 1-833-989-7368. Applications can be submitted online or over the phone at (833) 989-7368. Both tenants and landlords are eligible to apply. What type of assistance will I receive?