If you have a very low income, you may qualify for one of Texas’s three legal aid services. If you don’t qualify, look below for more legal services. Image below is from Texas Judicial Branch.

• Dallas Evictions: (text) 469-436-2704  — free legal help for people who don’t qualify for legal aid
• Houston Immigrant Legal Services Collaborative
• Houston Volunteer Lawyers: 713-228-0732 — apply online if you live in Harris County and have a low income
• Lawyer Referral & Information Service: 800-252-9690 — the State Bar of Texas can match you with a lawyer that fits your legal and financial needs
• Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas: 512-472-8303 or 866-303-8303 — apply online or by phone for a 30 consultation that costs $20
• Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas

For additional legal services, check out TexasLawHelp.org’s Legal Help Finder.

Fair housing refers to the Fair Housing Act, a law that protects people from discrimination in the rental or sale of housing based on their race, color, religion, national origin, familial status (having kids under 18 or being pregnant), sex, and disability. If you think you have been discriminated against you can submit a complaint to HUD and represent yourself or contact one of the organizations below: 

• North Texas Fair Housing Center: 469-941-0375
• Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio: 210-711-3247
• Disability Rights Texas: 800-252-9108 
• Austin Tenants Council: 512-474-1961 

To learn more about the Fair Housing Act, check out the Discrimination page.

If you’re having trouble paying rent, make a payment plan with your landlord:

Your rights

• Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Disability Rights Texas)
• Evictions During the COVID-19 Pandemic (TexasLawHelp.org)
• Help with Utilities During COVID-19 (TexasLawHelp.org)
• Section 8 Housing Rights during COVID-19 (TexasLawHelp.org)
• File a Consumer Complaint with the Attorney General’s Office

Resources

• findhelp.org
• COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Map (National Low Income Housing Coalition)
• For undocumented immigrants
• Houston Disaster Resource Guide (Houston Immigration Legal Services)
• Mortgage relief and avoiding scams (Consumer Financial Protection)
• Childcare
• Tenant Resource Catalog (BASTA Austin)
• Austin Eviction Resources
• Resources for Renters in Central TX (en espanol)

About COVID-19: explaincovid.org

COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool

Help for Displaced Tenants (TexasLawHelp.org)

Affordable Housing

• GoSection8
• Social serve