Texas still has millions of dollars in funding available from the federal government for homeowners who may have struggled financially in the past few years.
Through the Texas Homeowner Assistance Fund Program, which launched in March 2022, more than $600 million was available to help Texas families cover utility and mortgage payments.
So far, nearly $300 million in assistance has been paid out to just over 27,000 households, and there are still millions left for anyone who qualifies.
“Through the Texas Homeowner Assistance Program, we are helping keep families in their homes, the lights on, and the water running,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “I encourage Texans who qualify for assistance to apply for this program to receive help with past due and future utility payments.”
Each household can receive up to $65,000 in total assistance provided in the form of a grant. To be eligible, homeowners must meet the following criteria:
- Experienced a qualified financial hardship due to the pandemic after January 21, 2020, such as lost income or increased expenses
- Are behind on one or more payments: mortgage loans, property taxes, property insurance, homeowner/condo association fees, and/or utility bills
- Have a household income at or below 100% Area Median Income (AMI) or 100% of the median income for the United States, whichever is greater
- Own and occupy a home in Texas as a primary residence
Texans who own a home, condo, duplex, or manufactured home are all eligible. Assistance is available for both past and future mortgage payments, as well as past and future utility bills, including electricity, natural gas, propane, water, and wastewater services.
Anyone unsure if they meet the income criteria, which differ from county to county, can press the “Do I Qualify” button on the Texas Homeowner Assistance website for help finding out. People who want to apply can also do so on the same website.
For additional information or guidance, people can call the Texas Homeowner Assistance Fund toll-free call center at 833-651-3874 between Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Help is available in multiple languages.
