On October 22, 2020 ISAA hosted CoSA Interim Affordable Housing Director Sara Wamsley and CoSA Housing Commissioner Dr. Paul Furukawa to address the extraordinary increase in rental assistance needs during COVID-19. Sara shared a wealth of helpful information that can be found at this link. ISAA.EvictionsAndEHAP.10.22.2020
A one-click wonder: San Antonio Community Resource Directory (this is truly amazing!)
Partner Agencies of the San Antonio and Bexar County United Way
Need help wrapping your mind around needs and services? Connect with the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless by clicking here.
City of San Antonio Neighborhood and Housing Services Department
Habitat For Humanity San Antonio
Prospera Housing Community Services
San Antonio and Bexar County Rental Assistance
Learn how to get rental assistance in San Antonio and Bexar County. A number of financial assistance programs can help the low income. Some are focused on seniors or the disabled, while others are open to others and are more generally available. Find resources that may help qualified families pay their rent expenses and offer other forms of housing assistance, including security deposit or moving help.
Rent assistance can oftentimes help those who are faced with a crisis or some form of short term financial hardship. In addition to being able to receive grants or cash assistance to pay your rent and security deposit, many of the San Antonio non-profit agencies offer other forms of support too, such as counseling, advocacy, and services that can help families and individuals become self-sufficient over the long term.
Below you will find information on the agencies, programs, and organizations to apply to for rent assistance in Bexar County and San Antonio Texas. Funding is usually limited, so apply to a program early.
Center for Working Families (CWF) – Call this non-profit at (210) 207-7830 for access to Emergency Rental Assistance. Some of the conditions that need to be met include an emergency or short term hardship, eviction notice, must have ability to get back on track with paying rent in future, and landlord must be willing to work with agency. Other criteria apply too.
Alamo Area Resource Center – Some of the programs run include rental and utility assistance, housing location assistance, free or low cost legal services, help in filing for Social Security, homeless prevention and Food Stamp applications. In regards to housing, this non-profit offers referrals to other agencies for emergency rent assistance, if needed. Works closely with social service groups too. 527 N. Leona, 3rd Floor, Bldg. A, San Antonio, Texas 78207. (210) 358-9995
Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. – Low income individuals and families can apply for direct financial assistance for rent. In addition, work with a specialist for advocacy, education, and information and referral assistance to state of Texas programs, charities, or non-profits. Immigrants, including from Mexico and Spanish speakers can get help with housing needs as well. the address is 1801 W. Durango, San Antonio, Texas 78207. Dial (210) 226-6178, or for more details on click here.
City of San Antonio DCI, – Office of Financial Empowerment – Offers services, including information and applications for housing assistance, such as Section 8, which help families move toward self-sufficiency. Location is 1325 N. Flores, Suite 114, San Antonio, TX 78212. Call (210) 207-5910
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Central Council (SVDP) – Partners with churches across Bexar County and San Antonio. The Society provides food, clothing and financial assistance for rent and other bills. Services are available for the elderly in Bexar County as well. Stop by office at One Haven for Hope Way, San Antonio, Texas 78207, or dial (210) 225-7837
SAMMinistries – The local non-profit charity organization may be able to assist lower income families and individuals with making monthly rental payments and utility assistance. Transitional Housing is offered too. 5922 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, TX 78216.
Guadalupe Community Center – The programs run by this agency can help those in crisis cope and achieve both short and long term self-sufficiency through financial aid, advocacy, education, and information and referral assistance. Financial assistance can help pay rent too. (210) 226-6178
Catholic Worker House of San Antonio helps the homeless. While direct financial support is usually not offered, case workers may have information on transitional housing, security deposits assistance, or forgivable loans for housing or partial rent payments. Other aid is meals, clothing, and more. Dial (210) 224-7736.
St. Peter – St. Joseph Children’s Home – A number of financial assistance and support programs are provided. Some of them do focus on rent and housing assistance, others can help paying bills and provide food. In addition, a thrift store is available for household items. The programs offered also assist with locating stable housing, completion of SSI application and referrals to government programs and other Bexar County TX agencies. 919 Mission Rd., San Antonio, TX 78210. Phone: (210) 531-8555
Family Assistance Centers can offer government and public assistance from a program known as Work Support. Call (210) 207-7830.
San Antonio Area Command of The Salvation Army is headquartered at 910 N. Flores, San Antonio, Texas 78212. Call (210) 352-2020. If you are faced with a crisis, the organization provides assistance to families and individuals who are currently in a crisis situation. The goal is to help lower income people meet their basic need, including rent help, in order to prevent homelessness.
Services include rent, life skills classes, educational programs, and career development services. In addition, very importantly, referrals are made to other community-based organizations, such as Section 8 housing, for additional assistance and/or eligibility for governmental assistance, whether from the federal government or state of Texas.
Wesley Health and Wellness Center – Low income, working poor, and indigent persons can receive referrals to local financial assistance programs for addressing their housing needs, including Rental Housing Subsidies and Rent Assistance. 1406 Fitch, San Antonio, Texas 78211, call (210) 924-5191
Texas Riogrande Legal Aid – May have free advice and assistance for those facing eviction. Landlord / tenant mediation services and other support is available for Bexar County tenants. Referrals may be available to loan programs for paying rent or other assistance, such as emergency one time cash grants. Migrants and seasonal workers can also apply for services. (210) 212-3700
Social Services for city residents only can include housing. The government offers cash assistance, grants, loans, and more to help pay everything from rent to a mortgage payment. Find how to apply for resources for the working poor and families in poverty. Single moms can also apply for emergency grant based rental assistance programs. More on San Antonio Social Service assistance programs.
Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. – The Bexar County church supported agency provides direct financial assistance and cash grants for paying rent and utilities, as well as food and clothing assistance, for low-income individuals and families, the unemployed, and working poor. The various housing programs is to help those in crisis cope and achieve self-sufficiency through information and referral assistance , advocacy, education, and eviction prevention. (210) 433-3256
Additional San Antonio and Bexar County rental programs
The housing assistance programs vary widely at the list below. Some offer government grants for security or utility deposits, others arrange legal aid, some address credit issues and an agency may also offer short term rent help. Applications are generally in Spanish as well as English. Be prepared with proof of income, copies of eviction notices, and other documentation when applying for rental arrears assistance.
American GI Forum
611 N. Flores. Phone (210) 354-4892
American Red Cross
Address – 3642 E. Houston. Telephone – (210) 224-5151
Housing Assistance and rent help. shelter may be coordinated during times of disaster.
Avenida Guadalupe Association
Center address – 1313 Guadalupe. Phone number – (210) 223-3151
Low Income Housing Assistance.
Bexar County Housing Authority
Location – 1405 N Main, Suite 201. Phone number (210) 225-0071
Housing advice and emergency rental assistance. They also provide information on section 8 in Texas.
Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center
300 Dolorosa, Phone: (210) 335-2128
Possible landlord-tenant mediation.
Bexar County Legal Aid
Location: 1111 N. Main. Phone: (210) 212-3700
Free legal advice and services for evictions, housing issues, and landlord-tenant issues.
Catholic Charities
2903 W. Salinas. Phone – (210) 433-3256
A number of assistance programs including free food, Rental, Utility, and Housing Assistance.
Center for Health Care Service
Address – 3031 IH 10 W. Phone (210) 227-3401
Housing Assistance and other Specialty Services administered.
City of San Antonio
Address – 115 Plaza De Armas. Phone (210) 207-8198
A number of government programs including rent and utility.
City of San Antonio-Fair Housing
4203 Woodcock Dr., Suite 216. Call (210) 733-3247
Mediation, Fair Housing, Section 8. Resources for the disabled and children are offered too.
Department of Veterans Affairs
4455 Horizon Hill. Dial (210) 321-2707
Housing and Rent Assistance for Veterans, as well as military personnel and their families.
Ella Austin Community Center
Address – 1023 N. Pine. Dial (210) 224-2351
The non-profit community centers offer the low income Rental, Clothing, and Utility Assistance.
Father Flanagan’s Girls/Boys Town
Located at 503 Urban Loop. Phone (210) 271-1010
Low Income Housing Programs.
Family Endeavors can provide rental assistance to tenants in Bexar County that have an eviction notice. The applicant needs to be very low income, facing homelessness, or have a notice to vacate from their landlord. Dial (210) 431-6466 for information on rent help, or the charity is located at 535 Bandera Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78228.
Senior Homeless Prevention Program only supports Bexar County seniors with their rent if they are over the age of 60 that are enrolled in Medicare. Financial aid can help with paying mortgages, shelter, and housing needs. The goal is to offer rental assistance to prevent homelessness of the elderly. Dial (210) 321-5603 for an appointment.
Inman Christian Center
1214 Colima. Telephone: (210) 222-9641
Provide Housing for Elderly and Disabled.
SAHA Public Housing
Location of center – 818 S. Flores. Dial (210) 477-6196
Another non-profit organization that offers housing. Applications for both public housing and section 8 are also available online.
SAHA Section 8 Leased Housing
Address – 820 S. Flores. Telephone (210) 477-6205
They administer the Texas Section 8 housing program in San Antonio Texas.
Salvation Army HOPE Center
Address – 910 N. Flore. Phone number – (210) 352-2000
Low Income Housing Programs and Assistance.
San Antonio Alternative Housing
Address – 1215 S. Trinity. Bexar County Texas. Dial (210) 224-2349
Housing Assistance provided to low income, elderly, and others.
San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries
910 W. Commerce. Call (210) 224-5838
Emergency Shelter and Housing.
St. Vincent De Paul
Address – 4222 NW Loop 410. Phone – (210) 674-8661
Church/charity that offers financial aid for rent and housing expenses.
Texas Department of Human Services
Address – 404 Brady. Dial (210) 212-6986
A number of government assistance programs, including homeless prevention and TANF/Food Stamps.
United Way of San Antonio
Address. 700 S. Alamo, Texas
They partner with non-profits to offer various services. Most of what is given is referrals to local charities, churches, and other rent or housing programs. They also have input on lawyers that offer legal aid in housing court or that address discrimination.
US Dept. of Housing (HUD)
106 S. St. Mary’s. Phone: (210) 475-6800
HUD Information, including free housing advice.
San Antonio’s Housing Policy Framework
“The Housing Vaccine for Healthier Communities”
“Housing’s Effect on Child Development”
San Antonio’s Legacy of Racial and Economic Segregation – A video lecture by Dr. Christine Drennon
San Antonio Study: Income, Housing Inequality Drivers Behind Local Health Outcomes
Jewish Textual Resources on Homelessness, Affordable Housing and Gentrification- Rabbi David Komerofsky
“Ten Strategies to End Chronic Homelessness” – United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Social Justice Resource Center – An American Catholic resource addressing such issues as economic justice, environment, gun violence, health care, human trafficking, and hunger
“Teaching Tolerance” – A Resource for Educators
“Why Can’t Everyone Have a Home?”
“The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods” – Peter Block & John McKnight
Burchell, Robert; Downs, Anthony. Sprawl Costs: Economic Impacts of Unchecked Development. Island Press, 2005.
Chakrabarti, Vishaan. A Country of Cities: A Manifesto for an Urban America. Metropolis Book, 2013.
Crandall, George. Fixing Your City: Creating Thriving Neighborhoods and Adapting to a Changing World. Fuller Press, 2019.
Katz, Bruce; Nowak, Jeremy. The New Localism: How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism. The Brookings Institution, 2017.
Sennett, Richard. Building and Dwelling: Ethics for the City. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2018.
Sharkey, Patrick. Stuck in Place: Urban Neighborhoods and the End of Progress toward Racial Equality. University of Oregon Press, 2013.
The Urban Displacement Project
Managing Gentrification – Urban Land Institute, 2006
Vigil Reflections
by Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl, Emeritus, Temple Beth-El, San Antonio, Texas Every Abrahamic faith community in the past few years has painfully learned that its places of worship are no longer safe and secure sanctuaries. Assailants have no respect...
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