Affordable Housing in Austin, TX

This page collects the specific programs, agencies, phone numbers, and rules that apply in Austin and Travis County — not generic Section 8 advice. Austin sits in a tough state for tenants — Texas preempts local source-of-income protections and rent control, and a 2025 state law (SB 38) accelerated the eviction process. But Austin partners with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid for free eviction counseling and runs a unified shelter system through ECHO. The named resources below are where to start.

Emergency Help Tonight in Austin

If you need a safe place to sleep tonight or are facing an imminent eviction, these are the local resources to contact first:

• ARCH (Austin Resource Center for the Homeless) — downtown shelter and day center operated by Front Steps. Walk-in intake. frontsteps.org
• Salvation Army Austin Area Command — Downtown Shelter — emergency shelter for men and the Rathgeber Center for women, children, and families. salvationarmyaustin.org
• Caritas of Austin — rapid rehousing, case management, food, and supportive housing
• LifeWorks — emergency shelter and supportive services for youth and young adults (18–24)
• The SAFE Alliance — DV shelter and 24-hour crisis line: 512-267-SAFE (7233). Bilingual advocates and culturally specific services
• Mary Lee Foundation Trinity Center — downtown day shelter
• ECHO (Ending Community Homelessness Coalition) — Coordinated Entry — Austin's CoC lead. Access through any ECHO Coordinated Assessment partner. austinecho.org
• 211 Texas — free 24/7 information line for shelters, food, financial assistance, and social services

For a full walkthrough of finding shelter the first night, see our emergency housing tonight guide.

Section 8 in Austin: HACA Status and How to Apply

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Austin are administered by the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), which manages more than 5,400 vouchers. There's also a separate Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) for areas outside the City of Austin. Current status (checked September 9, 2026):

• The HACA HCV waitlist has been closed since 2018. The last opening ran September 17–24, 2018 as a lottery that randomly selected 2,000 pre-applications. No reopening has been announced. Limited federal funding restricts how many families HACA can serve. Watch hacanet.org/public-notices
• HACA Public Housing — separate program with site-specific waitlists for HACA-owned communities
• Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) — separate authority for areas outside the City of Austin. Check waitlist status at hatctx.com/waitlists
• Project-Based Voucher (PBV) lists at specific properties may be open. Apply property-by-property
• Other special programs: HUD-VASH for veterans, Mainstream vouchers for non-elderly people with disabilities — separate referral processes
• Apply to neighboring authorities too: Round Rock Housing Authority, San Marcos, Killeen, Bastrop, Pflugerville, and the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs (statewide) run separate lists
• Status check: call HACA at 512-477-4488 if you've already applied and need to verify your position on the list

For the national application process, see our step-by-step Section 8 guide and how to find your PHA.

Emergency Rental Assistance in Austin (Named Programs)

If you're behind on rent or can't pay this month, these are the local programs currently operating in Austin. Funding shifts month to month — always call to confirm current availability:

• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) — Eviction Help — the City of Austin partners with TRLA to provide free eviction counseling, representation, and prevention for low-income renters. This is Austin's closest equivalent to Right to Counsel. Call 1-833-329-8752 or apply at trla.org/applyforhelp
• Austin Tenants Council (ATC) — tenant counseling, eviction notice review, mediation, and court preparation. Call 512-474-7007. housing-rights.org
• City of Austin Tenant Stabilization & Renters Rights — central hub for City-funded eviction prevention. austintexas.gov/page/tenant-stabilization-and-renters-rights
• BASTA (Building and Strengthening Tenant Action) — tenant organizing and advocacy. bastaaustin.org
• Catholic Charities of Central Texas — emergency financial assistance, food, immigration legal services. Spanish-language services available
• St. Vincent de Paul Society of Central Texas — one-time emergency rental and utility help through local parish conferences
• Salvation Army Austin Area Command — eviction prevention assistance and utility help
• Caritas of Austin — financial assistance, rapid rehousing, and case management
• Travis County Health and Human Services — emergency assistance and CCDS (Community Center for the Differently Sustained) services
• Foundation Communities Prosper Centers — financial coaching and rent guidance for renters in their affordable apartments

HACA RENT Assistance Program has ended

The HACA Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program — which distributed all $25 million of Treasury's first-round ERA funds to more than 4,000 Austin families — has closed. The $17.75 million successor program with the City has also ended. Federal pandemic funds are spent. Current paths are TRLA, Austin Tenants Council, and the named nonprofits above. Don't waste time on old HACA RENT portals from 2021–2023.

Utility assistance: LIHEAP and CEAP

In Texas, LIHEAP is administered as the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) through local Community Action Agencies. In Travis County, you apply through Travis County HHS. Cooling assistance is critical in summer heat. Apply through Travis County HHS or call 211.

Tenant Rights in Texas (and Recent Changes)

Texas has one of the more landlord-friendly legal frameworks in the country — and a 2025 state law accelerated the eviction process further. Knowing the current rules can save your tenancy:

• Texas SB 38 (2025) accelerated eviction: Texas SB 38 took effect in 2025 and streamlined the eviction process in landlords' favor — including changes to summary disposition and the appearance period. If you're served, you have less wiggle room than before. Contact Texas RioGrande Legal Aid immediately
• No source-of-income protection — and cities are preempted: Texas does not have a statewide law preventing landlords from refusing Section 8 vouchers. Texas SB 267 (2015) prohibited cities from passing local source-of-income ordinances. Finding a landlord who already accepts vouchers is part of the work — HACA can provide a list of participating landlords
• 3-day notice to vacate for nonpayment (Texas Property Code §24.005) — among the shortest in the country. Once you get one, act immediately. See how to avoid eviction
• Security deposit return: the landlord must return your deposit (or written itemized deductions) within 30 days of move-out (TX Prop Code §92.103). Texas does not cap the deposit amount
• Warranty of habitability and right to repair: Texas Property Code Chapter 92 requires landlords to make a diligent effort to repair conditions that materially affect health or safety, after written notice and a reasonable time. Don't withhold rent without legal advice
• Notice to end month-to-month: one full rental period (typically 30 days), from either side
• Retaliatory eviction is illegal: Texas Property Code §92.331 prohibits eviction or rent increases in retaliation for repair requests or tenant organizing within the prior 6 months
• Self-help eviction is illegal: your landlord cannot change locks, shut off utilities, or remove belongings to force you out. They must go through Justice of the Peace court (TX Prop Code §92.0081)
• Austin's tenant stabilization initiative: in April 2026, Austin City Council moved to expand tenant protections at affordable rental housing — including eviction prevention plan requirements. The expansion is being implemented; check City of Austin Housing for current rules
• Fair housing: discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability is illegal under federal law and Texas Property Code Chapter 301. The Austin Human Rights Commission handles local fair-housing intakes

For free legal help: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) at 1-833-329-8752 and Austin Tenants Council at 512-474-7007. For state-level details, see our Texas housing resources. If you experience discrimination, see how to file a housing discrimination complaint.

Other Housing Programs in Austin

• Public housing: HACA owns public-housing communities across Austin. Application is separate from Section 8 — ask when you call 512-477-4488
• LIHTC (Tax Credit): Austin has substantial LIHTC inventory, growing through development funded by Austin's bond program. Search HUD's LIHTC database for properties in Travis County. See how to find LIHTC housing
• City of Austin Affordable Housing Bond & Strike Fund — voter-approved funding for affordable housing development. New income-restricted apartments come online each year
• HUD-VASH (veterans): combines a voucher with VA case management. Austin-area veterans are referred through the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. See how to apply for HUD-VASH
• Rapid Rehousing & Permanent Supportive Housing — coordinated through ECHO. Access via 211 or ECHO Coordinated Assessment
• Foundation Communities — nonprofit owner-operator of affordable apartments in Austin with services included. Apply for current openings on their site
• HUD-approved housing counseling: find a counselor through the HUD counselor locator — Frameworks CDC and Housing & Community Services of Greater Austin cover the area

Next Steps

Not sure which program is right for you? Our Where to Start tool asks a few quick questions about your situation — emergency vs. long-term, family vs. individual, employed vs. on benefits — and routes you to the right combination of programs. It takes about two minutes.

If you got a 3-day notice or eviction summons, call Texas RioGrande Legal Aid at 1-833-329-8752 immediately — they partner with the City of Austin to provide free representation. Texas SB 38 (2025) accelerated the eviction process, so every day counts. The Austin Tenants Council at 512-474-7007 can also review your notice.