Eviction Intervention Program

For Renters

If your landlord has already taken you to court to evict you, and you live inside Houston city limits, you may be eligible for the Eviction Intervention Program, which is part of the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

  • You must have an active eviction case and a docket (or cause) number from that case to apply.
  • Your home must be within Houston city limits or within Harris County.
  • Your landlord must agree to participate and follow the guidelines of the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
  • You can request assistance for up to six consecutive months of rent, including a maximum two months of future rent.

Important:

  • If your landlord is evicting you for a reason other than financial (i.e., unpaid rent), then you are not eligible.
  • You are not eligible if you have already received rental assistance for the same months of past-due rent that are part of your eviction case.
  • You cannot participate if you currently live in a building that is subsidized, if you live in public housing or an apartment in a building owned by the government

Eligibility

  • You must live in the city of Houston.
  • You must currently be in the eviction process and have a court docket (cause or case) number.
  • You must show proof that you have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Your landlord must agree to participate and follow the guidelines of the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
  • Your income can be no more than 80% of Area Family Median Income (AMI). See chart to the right or below. For example, a family of 4 cannot earn more than $63,350 annually.
  • There are limits to the amount of rent that can be covered, based on federal rules. If you think your rent may be above the limit, ask for clarification.
Household SizeMonthly IncomeIncome
Annual Income
1$3,696$44,350
2$4,225$50,700
3$4,754$57,050
4$5,279$63,350
5$5,704$68,450
6$6,125$73,500
7$6,550$78,600
8$6,971$83,650
9$7,392$88,700
10$7,817$93,800
*AMI is for the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro Area in 2020 as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Required Documentation

Types of DocumentsAccepted Documents
Proof of Residency
Provide all pages of the documents
  • Copy of executed or signed lease; if no written lease, required certification proving tenancy
  • Personal ID or other method of ID (e.g., utility bill, voter registration form, or school registration form)
Proof of Household Income
Provide all pages of the documents
  • Evidence of income for past 30 days OR
  • Proof of Public Benefits
    • Medicaid
    • Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
    • Federal Pell Grant (if a current student)
    • Harris Health Gold Card
    • Public Housing Assistance (Houston or Harris County Housing Authority)
    • Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
    • National School Lunch Program
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
    • Tribal Assistance
    • VA Pension or Disability
    • Head Start

What if I don’t live within Houston city limits?

If you live in Harris County (outside Houston city limits) and have an active eviction case, be sure to provide your docket (or cause) number when you’re filling out the application for help for the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Your case will get priority attention from a dedicated team of eligibility specialists.

What if my landlord doesn’t agree to participate?

If your landlord isn’t willing to participate in the Eviction Intervention Program, you can still apply the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Just be sure to provide your docket (or cause) number when you’re filling out the application. Your case will be directed to a dedicated team of eligibility specialists.

What is The Alliance’s role?

The Alliance is partnering with the City and the County, and will work with renters who have active eviction cases to help them submit applications through the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. When an Alliance case manager determines that you’re eligible, they will send rental payment directly to your landlord so that you do not get evicted.

The Alliance is a leading nonprofit organization that provides services to help individuals achieve their goals for self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life.

What if I need legal help with my eviction case?

The Alliance can make referrals for free legal assistance to one of their legal aid partners.

If you live in the city of Houston and suspect your landlord is not complying with rental assistance program guidelines, report your concerns here.

Apply Now

For Landlords

Landlords who participate in the Eviction Intervention Program must comply with all terms and conditions for the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

The only difference is additional documentation for each tenant who participates based on funding requirements:

  • Landlords must provide a copy of the executed lease for each tenant.
  • Landlords must provide a copy of their general ledger, or some other documentation that verifies the amount of unpaid rent the tenant owes.