The City of Austin’s RENT Assistance program

The program is available for low-income Austin residents who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and are struggling to pay their rent. 2020 has been challenging for everyone and the City of Austin has expanded its RENT Assistance program making it easier for eligible candidates to apply.
The RENT assistance program will pay up to 12-15 months of rent for eligible Austin renters and may cover the following:
Future rent payments will be provided three months at a time and families will be requalified every three months after that. If the government pays for a portion of your rent, the program can pay the additional portions not covered by the government subsidy.
Residents may be eligible if they earn 80% or less than the average household income. If residents were assisted last year, they are still eligible for this new program and can help cover rents that are still due from April 2020 through December 2021.
For example, a mother with two children who lives in Austin’s Rosewood neighborhood who made $54,500 a year but has lost her job due to the pandemic should apply for RENT assistance. She is currently unable to pay her landlord and may lose her apartment. She can visit http://AustinTexas.gov/RENT and submit her application.
Another example includes a couple living in Austin’s Riverside neighborhood. They made a combined $62,500 and renewed their lease, but due to the pandemic one of them lost their job and they are now struggling to make future rent payments. They will qualify for RENT assistance.
The RENT Assistance Program has established a priority point system to ensure those in greatest need are considered first.
Renters in the first priority group will receive 3 points and will be considered first. That includes Renters need to meet two criteria: the renter must qualify for unemployment for at least 90 consecutive days before application and have zero or extremely low income (at or less than 30% of the area median income).
Renters in the 2nd priority group will receive 2 points and will be considered after the 1st group. This includes renters who qualify for two criteria: renters who qualify for unemployment for at least 90 consecutive days before application, and have low income (between 30% and 50% of the area median income).
Renters in the 3rd group will receive one point and will be considered after the 2nd group. These renters only have to meet one of the following criteria:
- Renters who qualify for unemployment for at least 90 consecutive days before application
- Low income renters (at or less than 50% of the area median income)
- Renters who have experienced homelessness in the last 3 years
- Renters who applied for the RENT Assistance program between August 2020 – December 2020 and did not receive rent help (this does not include inactive applications and applications that were denied.)
All other applications will be considered after those in the 3rd group.
With an easier application process, candidates do not need to submit documents with their application but will be requested if they are selected. Documents that will be needed include:
- A Self-Certification form stating residents have been financially impacted by COVID-19. The form will be sent electronically requesting an e-signature.
- Proof of current monthly income for all household members.
- Proof that residents are at risk of experiencing homelessness or that housing is unstable, which may include past due rent or eviction notice.
- Current lease showing address, name of the leaseholder, amount of monthly rent, and when the lease expires. The lease must be signed by both the resident(s) and the landlord.
- A government-issued photo ID for the head of household. For example, a driver’s license, passport, or other photo ID.
A social security number and legal status are not required for this application. Eligible applicants will be randomly selected, and if the application is selected, the RENT Assistance program will contact the landlord and pay rent directly.
To learn more and apply please visit http://austintexas.gov/RENT. The portal will remain open through September 2021 or until all available funds have been committed.