Need rent assistance Austin families can use? Helping Hands Act matches you with Section 8, emergency rent help, and other Austin rental assistance programs. See what you may qualify for in under 2 minutes.
Check Your Eligibility for FreeNo cost. No credit card. Just clear next steps.
Austin rents are some of the highest in Texas. Paychecks have not kept up.
One rough month can put you behind. A cut shift. A medical bill. A summer power bill that tops the rent.
That does not make you a failure. It makes you one of thousands of Austin families who need a hand right now.
Will my family still have a home next month?
See If You Qualify for FreeWhat stands between you and rent help
No long forms. No fees. No runaround. Here is what happens after you click the button.
Answer a few questions
Fill out a short form on the Helping Hands Act website. It takes about 2 minutes. No credit card.
We match you to programs
Our system checks your answers against 100+ federal, state, and Austin programs.
Get a call in 24 hours
A case manager calls you within 24 hours. They walk through your matches and answer questions.
Apply with clear next steps
You apply to each program on your own. We tell you what to gather and where to send it.
Austin has more than one type of rent help. The right Austin rental assistance programs for you depend on your income, family size, and how fast you need help.
The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) runs Section 8 inside the city. Outside city limits, that is the Housing Authority of Travis County. You pay about 30% of your income. The voucher covers the rest.
The City of Austin and Austin Public Health fund rent help for residents who are behind. New rounds open from time to time. A free check shows what is open for you now.
Groups like El Buen Samaritano, Trinity Center, and Catholic Charities help Austin renters with rent and utility bills in a crisis.
CEAP is the state utility help program. It helps Austin families pay power and cooling bills. That frees up money for rent.
Income-based apartments across Austin set rent by what you can afford. They are not the open market rate. Some are tax credit units. Others are public housing.
The state housing agency (TDHCA) and HUD back many rent help programs. We explain who they help first and how long the wait can be.
Behind on rent right now? Got an eviction notice? Emergency rental assistance Austin TX renters can use comes from a few main places. Start with these.
City of Austin and Travis County rent help. The city and county fund emergency rent help, and new rounds open from time to time. A free check shows what is open near you.
El Buen Samaritano and Trinity Center. These Austin nonprofits help with rent and utility bills for families in crisis.
The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities. These Austin groups help with rent and bills when you face a real crisis.
211 Texas. Dial 211 for a free phone line. Ask for rental assistance Austin TX programs and they will point you to open funds.
Funding changes often. A free eligibility check can show you which programs are open right now and match your case.
1. Built for renters
Most sites for rental assistance in Austin TX are made for case workers. Ours is made for the person who pays the rent.
2. Free to check
Austin rent assistance should not cost you a dime to find. The eligibility check is free. We never ask for a card.
3. Knows Austin programs
We cover HACA, the City of Austin, El Buen Samaritano, and other local groups in one place.
4. Real people
A case manager calls within 24 hours. They answer real questions about your case.
5. Plain English
No HUD jargon. We turn the rules into plain words so you know what they mean for you.
6. Built to save time
Skip weeks of phone tag with Austin agencies. Get a clear list of the right programs to try first.
Trusted by Millions of Americans
Helping Hands Act has helped millions of Americans find benefit programs they did not know about. Here is what users say.
“I didn’t even know half these programs existed. I thought government help was just food stamps and Medicaid. Turns out there were three other programs in my state I qualified for.”
Helping Hands Act user, TX
“I was skeptical at first, but after completing the questionnaire I was matched with three programs I had no idea I qualified for. The process was simple and I didn’t have to pay a dime.”
Program user reviewing the Helping Hands Act eligibility tool
Live outside Austin? We cover rent help across Texas. Pick your city to see local programs.
Austin renters can get help in a few ways. Some use Section 8 from HACA. Some use City of Austin rent help. Others use nonprofits like El Buen Samaritano or Catholic Charities. The first step is to see what fits your income and family size. Helping Hands Act offers a free check so you can see your options fast.
Start with City of Austin and Travis County emergency rent help when a round is open. El Buen Samaritano, Trinity Center, and Catholic Charities also help Austin renters with crisis rent funds. Call 211 to find what is open. A free check shows your matches fast.
Section 8 in Austin is run by the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA). Travis County renters outside the city use the Housing Authority of Travis County. You apply when their waitlist is open. Waitlists are often long and can close.
No. Texas Rent Relief was a COVID-era program. It closed to new applicants. City of Austin rent help, Travis County, and local nonprofits took its place. A free check shows which Austin rent help is open for you.
Most Austin rent help programs use Area Median Income (AMI) for Travis County. The main limits are:
Extremely low income: at or below 30% of AMI. Most new Section 8 vouchers go to this group first.
Very low income: at or below 50% of AMI. This is the main Section 8 limit.
Low income: at or below 80% of AMI. This covers many other programs.
Limits change with county and family size. Some programs also help seniors, veterans, or people with a disability.
Most Austin programs ask for the same papers. Have these ready to move faster: a photo ID, Social Security numbers for everyone in your home, proof of income (pay stubs or a benefits letter), your lease, and any past-due rent or eviction notice. Gathering these first can speed up your application.
No. The eligibility check is free. We do not ask for a credit card to see what programs may help you.
You should not lose your home over a rough month.
See what rent help programs in Austin you may qualify for. It is free. It takes about two minutes. You get clear next steps.
Check Your Eligibility for Free