Rental Assistance Programs

If you are in the early stages of facing eviction and have not yet received a formal notice to vacate (typically a 3-day notice) from your apartment or landlord, you may be eligible for rental assistance. We provide a network of non-profit organizations that can offer eviction help by providing one-time rental payment assistance, covering either partial or full months of rent. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks for a final decision, so it is crucial to start early.

However, if you have already received a notice to vacate or if an eviction lawsuit is imminent, there may not be enough time for organizations to process your application, coordinate with your property manager, and disburse funds. In this situation, please contact us immediately to discuss alternative eviction assistance options including delaying your eviction, landlord-tenant mediation, and second chance apartments. For immediate assistance, call us at (713) 322-4799.

List of Non-Profits for Rental Assistance

Eviction Intervention recommends the following organizations for one-time rental assistance in Houston and surrounding areas. These organizations may offer financial assistance depending on your circumstances. However, please note that your apartment or landlord is NOT required to accept eviction help from these organizations, and non-profits may be at full capacity or deny assistance based on eligibility criteria. Below is a list of organizations that me be able to offer one-time rental assistance:

• https://catholiccharities.org/housing/
• https://ccschouston.org/services/utility-bill-rental-assistance/
• https://www.stvhope.org/
• https://citywideclub.com/
• RicevilleBaptist Church: (713) 778-0992 or (713) 774-4880
• SalvationArmy: (713) 658-9205 press 1 for Rent Assistance

If you find that you are unable to secure the rental assistance you need, contact us immediately so we can discuss eviction assistance options to delay your eviction and provide you with enough time to explore alternative solutions at (713) 322-4799.

General Requirements for Rental Assistance

Most organizations offering rental assistance provide one-time or short-term aid. Be prepared to provide a plan for how you will continue to meet rent obligations after the assistance period. Below are common requirements you’ll likely encounter when applying for rental assistance.

1. Proof of Income/Hardship: Provide recent pay stubs, unemployment proof, or a letter explaining financial hardship (e.g., job loss, medical emergency).
2. Identification and Residency: Show a valid photo ID and proof of residency (utility bill or lease agreement).
3. Lease Agreement: Submit a copy of your current lease to verify tenancy.
4. Eviction Notice/Past Due Rent: Provide documentation of unpaid rent or an eviction notice to confirm urgency.
5. Income Limits: Your income must typically fall below 30% to 80% of the area median income (AMI).
6. Landlord Participation: Your landlord is not obligated to work with the non-profit and some programs require your landlord to accept direct payments from the non-profit.
7. Geographical Limits: Many non-profits only assist residents within specific cities or counties

Important Note: Non-profits may require you to attend financial counseling or budget management courses as part of the assistance program. Due to high demand, it’s also common for organizations to run out of funds. If this happens, or if your landlord does not cooperate, contact us for other options, including strategies to delay eviction or access to second chance apartment resources.

If you find that you are unable to secure the rental assistance you need, contact us immediately so we can delay your eviction and provide you with enough time to explore alternative solutions at (713) 322-4799.

Rental Assistance Timeline

The time it takes for an organization to review a rental assistance application and disburse funds to your landlord can vary and take up to 2 months, but the typical timeline is as follows:

1. Application Review: It can take 1 to 3 weeks for the organization’s case worker to review your application, depending on the demand and completeness of your documentation.
2. Approval Process: Once approved, additional time may be required for final paperwork or verification, and to coordinate with your landlord which could take another 1 to 2 weeks.
3. Disbursement of Funds: After approval, it may take 1 to 2 weeks for funds to be disbursed to your property manager or landlord, especially if direct payments are involved.

If you are short on time, contact us immediately so we can discuss additional options to delay your eviction and provide you with enough time to explore alternative solutions at (713) 322-4799.

Let us get you relief.

For more information, speak to our advisors at (713) 312-4799 or contact us through our website with your availability so one of our advisors can get in touch with you.