The CDC order that stops evictions for nonpayment of rent has been extended to the end of June 2021. In order to get this protection from eviction, tenants are required to submit a declaration to their landlord. Below you will find a declaration in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese:
DECLARATION (ENGLISH);
DECLARATION (SPANISH); AND
DECLARATION (VIETNAMESE).
Please review the declaration carefully and make sure you meet all of the conditions before submitting.
For those behind on rent or facing eviction, the following are two statewide programs available to financially assist renters in catching up:
Texas Rent Relief Program
- The program can help renters with the following costs starting as far back as March 13, 2020:
- Past due, current, and up to 3 months of expected rent costs
- Past due, current, and up to 3 months of expected utility and home energy expenses
- After the initial 3 months of forward assistance, you can apply for 3 additional months of assistance if funds are still available
- Applicants must be at risk of homelessness or would need to need to move into an unsafe or unhealthy living environment, like a shared living situation or emergency shelter.
Texas Eviction Diversion Program
- The TEDP does everything that the Texas Rent Relief Program above does, plus the tenant’s eviction case will be sealed as confidential.
- This program only applies to eviction cases with a court number.
Do not apply if you receive a tenant-based voucher, you live in a project-based unit, or you receive public housing assistance. This program does not cover you.
You can apply for both statewide programs online at www.TexasRentRelief.com or by calling 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368).
We encourage Houston and Harris County tenants apply for both programs but only accept funding from one program for any given month. Accepting payments from more than one organization for any given month is prohibited.
If you or anyone you know is facing eviction, please visit http://www.stoptxeviction.org for detailed information surrounding the eviction process and renter’s rights. To apply for free legal services, contact Lone Star Legal Aid at 1 (800) 733 8394 or visit our website at http://www.lonestarlegal.org.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, including those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at http://www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
