Houston emergency rental grants and loans

Emergency intervention is sometimes necessary when a Houston tenant is facing rental arrears. Without an immediate cash infusion, a landlord may take action to force an eviction from the property.

Texas eviction guidelines strongly favor the landlord. Delinquent tenants who do not get landlord approval for alternate arrangements can find themselves facing a 3 day eviction notice immediately after their rent is a day late. This short notice can cause extreme hardship for the typical household.

Emergency funds can allow for the rent to be fully paid, thereby allowing the eviction process to cease. Tenants are given the opportunity to resume the remainder of their lease so long as they remain current with rent and avoid any other causes for eviction. Without emergency funds, eviction can quickly ensue.

Lower income households should first contact Harris County Social Services at 713-696-7900. Most clients report that they must first apply for a rental assistance grant through DSS before they may apply for funding through one of the other organizations that serve the Greater Houston area. After applying for county funds, there are a few other sources of emergency rental assistance in Houston that can stop the eviction process.

Community rental aid agencies

  • City Wide Club. Call 713-752-2582.
  • Gulf Coast Community Services. Call 713-393-4700.
  • Hester House. Call 713-672-2573.
  • Larkin Community Center. Call 713-869-9143.
  • Salvation Army. Call 713-752-0677.
  • United Way. Call 211.
  • Wesley Community Center. Call 713-223-8131.
  • Windsor Village Social Services. Call 713-551-8792.

Religious-based rental assistance programs

The following religious-based organizations also provide emergency rent assistance within Houston and/or Harris County:

  • Braes Interfaith Ministries. Call 713-723-1945.
  • Catholic Charities. Call 713-874-6590 for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Call 866-649-5862 for Guadalupe Social Services within Catholic Charities.
  • Christian Community Services. Call 713-871-9741.
  • City Fellowship Church Christian Rescue Mission. Call 713-659-7750.
  • Cyprus Area Ministries. Call 281-955-7684.
  • First Baptist Church. Call 713-554-8808.
  • Humble Area Ministries. Call 281-446-3663.
  • Interfaith Caring Ministries. Call 713-332-3881.
  • Katy Christian Social Ministries. Call 281-391-9623.
  • Memorial Assistance Ministries. Call 713-574-7533.
  • Northwest Assistance Ministries. Call 281-583-5600.
  • Pasadena Community Ministries. Call 713-477-4336.
  • Society of St. Stephen. Call 281-487-1774.
  • Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Call 713-741-8234.
  • Southeast Area Ministries. Call 713-944-0093.
  • St. Bernadette Church. Call 281-486-0337.
  • St. Cecilia Church. Call 713-468-1185.
  • St. Hyacinth Catholic Church. Call 281-479-4298.
  • St. Joseph Catholic Church. Call 713-222-8903.
  • St. Mary Magdalene Church. Call 281-540-1907.
  • Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Call 713-747-7101.

Low-cost rental loans

Many applicants may find that even though they are late on rent and facing an eviction, that they still earn too much money to qualify for some emergency aid grants. In these cases, a low-cost loan for rent may be a feasible option.

  • First Community Credit Union offers Lifestyle/Signature loans and RediCash Loans to members. Membership is open to residents of Harris County. Call 281-856-5300.
  • Houston Federal Credit Union has an open membership policy to those who live, work, worship or learn in Houston. Call 866-687-4328.
  • People’s Trust Federal Credit Union is another nonprofit lender in Houston. Call 713-428-3200.

Applicants with credit scores of at least 640 and reasonably consistent income can tap into the lower rates offered by Houston’s credit unions. These personal loan products can be used to catch up on rental arrears and prevent an eviction. The rates are lower than what an applicant might otherwise face through a finance company or payday loan firm.