Rent Assistance in Texas
Being able to make rental payments can be a challenge in a single-income home, particularly for single mothers. Due to that, there have been agencies that have developed programs to help with rent to ensure that single mothers keep their homes. These programs are discussed in this article.
Texas Rent Assistance State Programs
A non-profit known as the Texas Housing Association is a statewide organization that is committed to informing and educating agents as well as public housing authorities (PHAs). They work with agencies that offer the Sections 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and the Low Rent Public Housing Program. https://www.txtha.org/
Churches and Charities Rent Assistance
The All Community Outreach (ACO) offers rent assistance to families and individuals that are struggling. Eligible applicants give help with mortgage and rent payments. They also provide utility assistance to the community for companies such as Atoms and TXU Energy CoServ. Furthermore, they offer employment and education services to help single mothers to advance their academics, enhance qualifications for employment, and build a career that will help them stand on their feet. The ACO serves those experiencing financial challenges, as well as free comprehensive human services to help families avoid hunger and homelessness and gain financial security. The organization provides income support together with housing and utility assistance, clothing, food, prescriptions, and medical visits assistance; and employment and education services including college assistance, GED classes, career counseling, and financial coaching. https://www.acocares.org/
Eviction and Legal Assistance
Stop Texas Eviction helps tenants that are at risk of losing their home. Their new program known as the Texas Eviction Diversion Program assists tenants to make rental payments and remain in their homes. A court process starts when a landlord tries to evict a renter for delayed or unpaid rent. With this program, the court offers both parties an opportunity to apply for up to six months of rent. When the tenant and landlord apply together to get the rental assistance, the eviction case will be dismissed in court. This allows the tenant to live in the home while the landlord receives payments. The court records will be sealed inhibiting any future landlords from seeing it and using the case against the renter. They assist with detailing the eviction process and help tenants to understand their rights, and eventually find rent assistance. https://stoptxeviction.org/
The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP) helps single mothers to access free legal assistance through applications if they align with the eligibility guidelines. The DVAP engages, instructs, and equips volunteer attorneys to offer free, civil legal assistance to low-income citizens. They provide full representation and advice in numerous cases, including housing, family, landlord-tenant issues, employment, real property, consumer, wills, and many more cases. To receive the free legal assistance, single mothers that qualify should apply. You should have your legal documents with you when applying for help. Qualifying applicants will be interviewed by attorneys to establish the legal issue at the clinic. Following the clinic, your case will be reviewed to see if they can assist further. https://dallasvolunteerattorneyprogram.org/
Shelter Assistance
The Hope’s Door New Beginning Center is an emergency shelter that provides short-term housing to women and children escaping severe situations. They have two comfortable and warm houses that can hold 55 women and children. Beneficiaries residing in the shelters are given clothing, food, and other essentials required for daily living as well as legal support, case management, counseling, safety planning, and transfer to other available resources. Residents are allowed to stay for 3 months at the shelter and confidentiality is maintained to guarantee the safety of the residents. Children are registered in nearby schools or they can go to their home school given that it is safe. The staff is available at all hours of the day with trained advocates that can assist the needs of the families and children, some counselors offer group and private counseling sessions. Children have access to a playroom with toys, a playground outside, and storybooks, a kitchen, a computer station, and financial literacy classes. https://hdnbc.org/get-help/shelters
