City of Austin Austin Resource for Renters
- Language translation assistance
- Childcare/school assistance for displaced families
- Transitional homelessness housing
- Get help with a landlord issue
- Help with eviction or displacement
- Seeking rental housing
- Help paying your rent/utilitie
Housing Discrimination, Tenant-Landlord Education & Information and Housing Repair/Rehabilitation
Austin Tenants Council Project
512-474-1961
Housing and Mobillity Justin – Austin Justice Coalition
512-576-5848
Legal Assistance & Tenant Rights
Central Texas Lawyer Referreal Service
- Free 30- minute consults can be requested via phone or online. Call (512) 472-8303 or (866) 303-8303.
- The core of Austin Community Law Center’s mission is to make legal services radically more affordable. They charge sliding-scale fees based on the client’s income, below what most other attorneys charge, and limited-scope legal services across Texas. (512) 596-0226.
Texas Veterans Legal Assistance Project
- Legal assistance to veterans, spouses, dependents, and deceased veterans’ spouses. (800) 622-2520, Option 2
- Volunteer Legal Services (VLS) is a nonprofit organization that helps provide free legal advice and representation to people with civil legal matters including housing, landlord-tenant probate and real property who cannot afford an attorney (512) 476-5550.
- General Texas Tenancies Information including: “Know Your Rights” and “How To Fight Back”. (512) 477-8910
Austin Tenants Council (Now a project of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid)
- To make an appointment or discuss counseling call (512) 474-1961.
Book on Renters Rights – Austin Public Library –
- Discusses topics such as how to break a lease and leave early, sublet an apartment, handle unwelcome landlord intrusions, resolve roommate disputes, get a landlord to make repairs, collect a full security deposit after move out, fight discrimination or retaliation, and put one’s best foot forward when applying for a rental.
- It is important to note that you have the legal right to appear before a judge before you are evicted. You cannot be evicted by a landlord without a court order. You can appeal your eviction hearing within 5 business days (excluding holidays and weekends).
BASTA (Building and Strengthening Tenant Action)
- Organizing with your neighbors to fight for better living conditions for your home and community. Please note BASTA does not provide individual assistance or counseling. BASTA is a non-profit project dedicated to helping Austin renters work with their neighbors to improve conditions in their homes and communities.
- Free legal information & court forms for simple civil legal problems.
Low Income & Long Term Affordable Housing
There are only so many affordable and income-based rentals available, and waiting lists can get very long. We encourage you to apply to as many properties as possible. Don’t forget that taking a proactive approach can significantly increase your chances of being offered a service.
Accessible Housing Austin! (AHA!)
- AHA serves people and disabled families who earn less than 50% of the median family income in Austin. AHA works with households that need the accessibility changes that a particular available unit offers. (512) 640-7781
Austin Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
- Fill out the interest questionnaire and view the eligibility criteria on the website. (512) 472-8788 extension 100
- A residential program for single mothers with children; accommodates up to 5 families per cottage; group living with resident staff guidance and mentoring of appropriate living skills. (512) 246-4248
Clarksville Community Development Corporation
- There are 11 properties located throughout Clarksville. Each property includes a single-family home, a duplex, and an ADU. All of these properties offer affordable housing for 16 families.
- If you would like to apply for a CCDC tenancy or have any questions about CCDC tenancy, please contact us at 512-808-7999!
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Your gross family income cannot exceed 60% of Travis County’s median family income
- You must have children
- All children must be under 18 years of age
- One of the best ways to begin the process of finding a permanent home is to complete a CA (coordinated assessment), which is our community’s central housing assistance application process. The process can take several months or more to complete.
Austin, TX Affordable Housing:
- Affordable family communities owned and operated by a non-profit organization. Visit Housing Navigator’s website for availability information and contact information on specific properties. All affordable family communities are income-restricted (scale-based). (512) 610-4010
- Transitional & Supportive housing. Green Doors own and manage 28 properties serving over 300 residents per year, including 50 housing rental assistance units for low-income families in Travis, Williamson & Burnet Counties. (512) 469-9130 or Toll-free: 1-866-412-6591.
Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation
- Programs for Rentals and Home Ownership; GNDC places the utmost importance on families with family roots in the targeted neighborhoods. (512) 479-6275
Housing Authority for the City of Austin (HACA)
- The housing choice voucher and project based rental assistance waitlists are updated on a regular basis. You can check the waitlist on their website (and sign up for their mailing list for updates). (512) 477-4488
Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC)
- Housing Choice Vacancy and Project Based Rent Assistance waitlists are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to visit the website (and don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date with openings). (512) 480-8245
- Integral Care provides residential services for adults living with intellectual disabilities and/or mental illness, as well as substance use disorders. Services include rent and utility assistance, landlord assistance, assistance with benefits and/or disability income, case management, and more. Integral Care has permanent housing units throughout Travis County and provides short term housing support. Current clients must be current clients.
A home-purchase program where a percentage of their homes are set aside for purchase at a rate of 60% American mortgage-to-income (AMI) or less. The program verifies household income on an annual basis. You can attend a virtual information session to get more information about the program and attend a meeting (register on the website) to get more information. (512) 827-3303
- An apartment community for seniors and people with disabilities. Apply online or call (512) 459-8285.
- supports low-income Texans’ efforts to achieve the American dream of a decent, affordable home in a quality neighborhood of their choosing via research, advocacy, and community outreach. (512) 477-8910
Shelters
Shelters may have long waiting lists. We recommend applying to as many properties you are eligible for. Remember your proactive approach can significantly improve your chances of services.
Advocacy Outreach
- Free to public thrift store. Day shelter and showers available. https://www.advocacyoutreach.org/ Phone: 512-281-4180 Hours: M 12-4PM, T-Th 9-4PM
Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH)
- men’s shelter located in downtown Austin, managed by Front Steps. It offers emergency shelter, basic services and connections to housing for 130 men.
Physical Address: 500 E 7th Street, Austin, TX 78701 (6:30am-5pm) Phone: 512-305-4100
Casa Marianella Posada Esperanza: Shelter for immigrants, refugees and asylees. 512-385-5571 (24-hour hotline) | 512-928-8862 (9am-9pm) | Address: 821 Gunter Street.
Cold Weather Shelter(CWS): Please call the Cold Weather Hotline (512) 305-ICEE (4233). These shelters are opened when: *32 degrees or colder overnight *35 degrees, with rain/wet *35 degrees, with wind chill of 32 or colder
Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC): Address: 505 Barton Springs Road, First floor | Call: 512-974-4879 | Hours: Wednesday, 12-4 p.m
Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO)
- A good first step toward finding a stable place to live is completing a Coordinated Assessment (CA), the community’s centralized housing assistance application.The wait for an apartment can be several months or longer. Please visit their website for more information: https://www.austinecho.org/get-help/experiencing-homelessness/
Lifeworks (youth only)
- Youth Resource Center (YRC) – 835 N Pleasant Valley Road | Call: 512-735-2400 for housing-related issues | Website: https://www.lifeworksaustin.org/ | Walk-up services are available for those who are 26 and younger experiencing homelessness.
SAFE House
- Emergency shelter for those fleeing domestic violence or abuse. Provide services such as legal and educational once in shelter. | Call: 512-267-7233 (24-hour hotline), Text: 737-888-7233 | www.safeaustin.org
Sunrise Navigation Center
- Address: 4430 Manchaca Road | Call: 512-522-1097 | Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m
The Other Ones Foundation (And Esperanza Community)
- Shelter, Opportunity, and Support: TOOF provides case management, supportive employment opportunities, free meals, hygiene supplies, and temporary shelter Entry for all programs require the person to take the Coordinated Assessment | 780 Bastrop HWY Austin, TX 78741 | Call: 512-568-7557
The Salvation Army – Shelter for Women and Children: 512-933-0600 | 4523 Tannehill Lane. 24-hour hotline
The Salvation Army – Rathgeber Center for Families: (737) 256-6926 | 4613 Tannehill Ln Bldg 1, Austin, TX 78721 Program Hours: Office Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Shelter Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Warming Centers
- All Parks and Library facilities can serve as a Warming Center during normal operating hours. Service animals are permitted in City facilities. Check hours of operation before arriving. Please monitor local news for up-to-date weather information and visit ReadyCentralTexas.org on how to be prepared for winter weather.
Utility Assistance
Austin Energy Customer Assistance Program (CAP) Discount
- The City of Austin’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP) Utility Bill Discounts are available to low-income and fixed-income residential customers who are enrolled in certain State, Federal, or Local assistance programs. (512) 494-9400
- The Plus 1 fund provides emergency financial assistance to residential customers who have temporary difficulties paying their utility bills due to serious illness, recent job loss or other emergency circumstances. (512) 494-9400
St. Louise House Online information
- Single mom’s and their children’s lives are better served by Saint Louise House’s long-term housing and supportive services. With a highly-personalized, multi-generational approach, our two-generation services promote education, financial security and well-being and provide long-term solutions to poverty. (512) 297-2129
Travis County Utility Assistance
- Travis County has a variety of utility assistance programs, as well as additional resources outside of utility. Utility assistance is money that utility vendors provide Travis County to help its customers. Most of these programs only require the following:
- Residents of Travis County
- Overseas money owed
- Your gross income has been less than $1,000 in the last 30 days
- You’re a customer of the utility company you’re applying to
- You can apply by contacting one of the community centers listed in the above link.
- All utility assistance applications and case management applications will end on December 31, the same year that you apply. If you haven’t applied on or after Jan. 1 for utility assistance, or case management this year, please apply again.
UPLift @ University Presbyterian Church
- FinanceSupportPlus1’s Utility Assistance and Support/Provider, UPLift. We are a Plus 1 partner providing emergency financial assistance for Austin Energy residential customers facing financial hardship such as:
- Severe illness
- Recent job loss
- COVID-19 or any other emergency
- To request assistance, please email Austin Energy a phone number and a time you’d like to join in a 3-way call. (512) 476-5321
- E-mail: upliftplus1@upcaustin.org
- Plus ID and some additional documentation may be required
Voucher Programs
Housing Authority – City of Austin
- Austin Public Housing
- Austin Section 8 Voucher Program
- Project-Based Rental Assistance – North Austin
- Project- Based Rental Assistance – Centra/East Austin
- Project- Based Rental Asisstance – South Austin
Austin Smart Housing Voucher Program
Internet Programs – Federal Affordable Connectivity Program
Federal Program – Click Here to Learn more