Rental Assistance Program

The Rental Assistance Program helps keep families in their homes. The Program provides financial assistance to renters experiencing financial hardship. The Program has two different services for qualified households facing housing instability:

  • Rental Assistance
  • Relocation Assistance

Applying for Assistance

NOTE: The City of San Antonio will accept applications on the second Wednesday of each month. The portal will open at 1 p.m. and close at 2 p.m.

  • Rental assistance is limited.
  • A copy of an active Notice to Vacate and/or active Court Ordered Eviction Citation is required to demonstrate eviction status with application submission.
  • Applying does not guarantee financial assistance, not all applications will be reached for processing.
  • Applications do not carry over to the next month. 

Apply

Step 1.Rental Assistance Provided

Households can receive up to three consecutive months of rent and utility assistance (past, current and future) assistance. The total amount of funds that will be provided to a household will be:

  • $3,500 maximum for rental assistance and
  • $1,500 maximum for utility assistance.

Any assistance will be directly given to property management and utility providers.

NOTE: Financial assistance can only be provided once over a 12-month period in accordance with HAP policy. If you are unsure when you last received rental or relocation assistance, please call 210-207-6459 or email.

Step 2.Application Requirements

To qualify for the program applicants will need to submit the following:

Identification

Identification for everyone living in the home. Acceptable forms of identification for adults over the age of 18 include:

  • driver’s license
  • state ID
  • passport
  • matricula consular

Acceptable forms of identification for children include:

  • birth certificates
  • SNAP award letters
  • social security cards
  • immunization records
  • birth facts
San Antonio Address

A current lease agreement with the applicant’s current physical address within the city limits of San Antonio.

  • Please visit Find My Council Member to verify your council district.
  • Residents who live outside of City Council Districts 1-10 do not qualify for assistance.
Financial Need

Documentation of a "financial hardship" due directly or in-directly to COVID-19 in the past twelve months. Examples of accepted "financial hardship" include:

  • loss of job
  • loss of working hours (8 hours for full-time employees and 4 hours for part-time employees not covered by paid leave)
  • unexpected high medical bill not covered by insurance
  • unexpected car repair (this does not include routine maintenance such as oil change, tires, battery)
Documentation of Assistance Needed
  • Applicants will need to be at least one month behind on rent to qualify.
  • A record from the property manager or owner of all charges and payments from the apartment complex addressed to the applicant.
Income Eligibility

Income information for the last 60 days. All household members over the age of 18 must provide verification of income. Applicants must have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Acceptable forms of income include:

  • paystubs
  • bank statements
  • SSI or RSDI award letters
  • unemployment documents
  • child support
  • VA benefits
  • retirement benefits

NHSD will calculate AMI using gross income from the last 60 days. Gross income is the income an individual receives before taxes or other deductions. Deductions might include insurance, child support, or garnishments.

Child support and contributions from family members will be included to calculate AMI levels.

Contact Information

An email address is required for the online application. If an applicant is unable to access the online application, call 210-207-6459.

Housing Provider or Owner Agreement

Before an application is approved the housing provider is responsible to provide:

  • a vendor information form
  • W-9
  • Housing Provider agreement

NOTE: Housing Provider participation is required. An application will be denied if the housing provider chooses not to accept funding from the program.

Step 3.Apply

Apply

Application Status

If you submitted an application online in the past, you may check the status of your application online, or you may call us. Processing times of applications may vary.

Step 4.What Happens Next

After Applying

Applicants will receive two phone calls and one email regarding their application. Applicants will have 48 hours to respond after the first initial contact. If the applicant does not respond, the application is denied for unresponsiveness.

NOTE: Applications cannot be reactivated after being denied. Applicants who are denied for unresponsiveness can reapply the following month for assistance.

After an Application is Approved

If an application is approved, payment will be made directly to the housing provider or utility company. The housing provider or utility company will credit the account based on the assistance provided.

Area Median Income (AMI) 2024

You can also calculate your AMI or find more information about understanding AMI.

2024

Percentage 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person 6 Person 7 Person 8 Person
30% $18,600 $21,250 $23,900 $26,550 $28,700 $30,800 $32,950 $35,050
50% $31,000 $35,400 $39,850 $44,250 $47,800 $51,350 $54,900 $58,450
60% $37,200 $42,480 $47,820 $53,100 $57,360 $61,620 $65,880 $70,140
80% $49,600 $56,650 $63,750 $70,800 $76,500 $82,150 $87,800 $93,500
100% $62,000 $70,800 $79,700 $88,500 $95,600 $102,700 $109,800 $116,900

*AMI limits are updated annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Frequently Asked Questions

Financial

I have no income. What can I provide?

If an applicant is receiving no income, they can provide bank statements showing no deposits in the last 60 days or a termination letter.

I am self-employed. How do I verify my income?

A 1040 Schedule C form will need to be provided at time of processing to verify self-employment. If a 1040 Schedule C form cannot be provided, bank statements will be required to calculate household AMI.

My family and friends have been helping me to pay rent. How do I include this in my income?

Any contributions to the household income will need to be verified. If an applicant is receiving monthly contributions from friends and family, they will need to provide proof for that income. If cash is received, the applicant and the people providing financial assistance will need to submit a notarized statement regarding the assistance provided.

Does the utility bill have to be in my name to receive assistance?

The utility bill must be under any of the household members listed on the application and for the address provided at the time of submission to be eligible for assistance.

I have been unemployed but started a new job in the last 60 days that has put me over the AMI. Do I still qualify?

All income from the past 60 days will be used to calculate household AMI. If the AMI is over 80%, the household does not qualify for assistance.

Can I apply if I am on a month-to-month lease?

Month-to-month leases are eligible to apply. Approval status will be determined upon review.

Someone on the lease has moved out. What documents can I provide to verify they are no longer in the household?

If someone has moved out, an updated lease or a letter from the housing provider with this information is required. If neither of these documents are available, a utility bill for the individual at a different address will need to be provided.

Location

I live at an RV Park. Do I qualify for assistance?

No, RV Park fees are not covered by the program.

I rent a room from my landlord. Do I qualify for assistance?

No, the rental assistance program does not cover single room rentals.

Can I apply for rental assistance for a property I previously lived at?

No, rental assistance can only be applied for properties where you currently live.

Can I change my address from the application submitted?

No, an address cannot be changed after an application has been submitted. If you move prior to your application being reviewed, an applicant will need to reapply the following month with the new address.

If I currently receive a housing voucher, am I able to apply for rental assistance?

Yes, if an applicant is receiving a housing voucher you can apply for rental assistance. Please note the program only covers your portion of the rent and not the full rent amount covered by the housing voucher.

Application Status

I have submitted a relocation application but want rental assistance. Can I switch the application?

No, once an application has been submitted for rental or relocation, the type of assistance cannot be switched.

I want to contest the outcome of my application. How do I file a grievance?

Applicants may notify Neighborhood and Housing Services Department of any grievances they may have with the HAP program within 30 days of notice of application outcome as follows:

  • All grievance notices must be provided in writing by the original applicant.
  • All grievance notices must be clearly marked “HAP GRIEVANCE”.
  • All grievance notices can be addressed to the “Administrator”.

Hardcopy grievance notices may be mailed, or hand delivered to:

City of San Antonio Neighborhood and Housing Services Department
Attention: Administrator
PO Box 839966
San Antonio, Texas 78283

You may also submit an electronic grievance online.

In This Section

Contact

Phone

Report a Problem
3-1-1 or 210-207-6000
General Information
210-207-6459

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