From September 4, 2020 to August 26, 2021, there was an order from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help stop evictions for non-payment of rent due to COVID-19. The US Supreme Court overturned the order so it is no longer in effect.

Rent assistance is available, and there are some other eviction protections. To find rent assistance, call 211, scroll below, and check for programs at https://nlihc.org/rental-assistance and www.consumerfinance.gov/renthelp.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ (TDHCA) Texas Rent Relief program accepts applications from landlords and tenants. Learn more and apply by phone at 833-9TX-RENT / 833-989-7368 or online at texasrentrelief.com. 

Texas Eviction Diversion Program – The Supreme Court of Texas established the Texas Eviction Diversion Program (TEDP) through the Twenty-Seventh Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster. If you and your landlord agree to participate in the Texas Eviction Diversion Program, you may be able to have up to 15 months of the rent you owe paid and stop your eviction. ​Call 855-270-7655 or see the brochures below for more information.

• TEDP Brochure (English/Spanish)

• TEDP Brochure (English)

• TEDP Brochure (Spanish)

• TEDP Brochure (Arabic)

• TEDP Brochure (Chinese)

• TEDP Brochure (French)

• TEDP Brochure (German)

• TEDP Brochure (Korean)

• TEDP Brochure (Russian)

• TEDP Brochure (Tagalog)

• TEDP Brochure (Vietnamese)

Austin and Dallas have passed 60-day grace period ordinances to give tenants more time to pay rent. See fact sheets on Dallas ordinance in English and Spanish at https://dallascityhall.com/departments/fairhousing/Pages/COVID-19-EVICTION-FACTS.aspx

City and County of El Paso – rents are capped at the rent level charged on March 13, 2020 until the state of disaster ends.

City of San Marcos – gives tenants a 90-day grace period to pay rent.

CARES Act – There was a moratorium on evictions for properties with federally-backed loans from March 27 to July 24, 2020. Landlords of these properties were not allowed to charge late fees during that period. Landlords of covered properties must give 30-day notice to vacate before filing with the court. You can check to see if your property is covered by the CARES Act at this link.

Travis County – Nonpayment eviction cases will not be heard until after October 15, 2021 if the tenant’s rent is $2,475.00 a month or less.

Find legal help and additional information on our links page at https://txtenants.org/links/