2-1-1 Texas / United Way HELPLINE
Just dial 2-1-1 — trained navigators connect you to thousands of local resources, 24/7, in 90+ languages.
Directory · Housing & Shelter
Housing & Shelter help in Houston.
Rent help, emergency shelter, transitional housing, eviction defense. 26 hand-checked resources, updated 2026-04-26.
Always call ahead — hours, cost, and eligibility change. Emergencies: 911 · Crisis: 988 · Everything else: 2-1-1 (free, 24/7, 90+ languages).
Houston Area Women's Center (HAWC)
24/7 hotlines for domestic and sexual violence, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and child trauma services.
Houston Housing Authority (HHA)
Public housing properties and the Housing Choice (Section 8) voucher program. Waitlists open periodically — sign up for alerts.
Lone Star Legal Aid
Free civil legal help across 72 Texas counties — eviction defense, family law, public benefits, consumer fraud, immigration.
Casa Juan Diego
Catholic Worker hospitality houses for immigrants, undocumented sick & wounded, single mothers — plus a free clinic.
Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County
Lead agency for Houston's homeless response. The Way Home coordinated entry connects you to housing across all partners.
Compass Working Capital
Family Self-Sufficiency program with HHA — rent increases as income rises but the difference goes into a savings account for you.
Covenant House Texas
24/7 shelter and rapid rehousing for youth ages 18-24 — plus the Rights of Passage transitional living and trafficking response.
Emergency Aid Coalition
Walk-in pantry plus limited rent and utility assistance for Houston-area residents in crisis.
Epicenter (formerly Society for the Performing Arts community programs)
Whole-home rehab and rebuild program for low-income homeowners impacted by hurricanes and floods. Also weatherization.
Houston Habitat for Humanity
Affordable homeownership through 0% interest mortgages — applicants put in 350 sweat-equity hours. Also runs critical home repair.
Houston Open Door Mission
Three hot meals a day, emergency overnight shelter, and long-term recovery program — focuses on men and veterans.
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
VA hospital with HUD-VASH housing program, vocational rehab, mental health, and Veterans Justice Outreach.
Mission of Yahweh
Long-term shelter for women and children with on-site daycare, GED, job placement, and Bible study (faith optional).
Neighborhood Recovery CDC
HUD-approved housing counseling and down-payment assistance for first-time buyers, especially in northeast Houston.
New Hope Housing
Permanent affordable single-room-occupancy apartments for low-income adults. Most units include utilities and on-site services.
Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM)
Northwest Houston safety net — pantry, financial assistance, FHC charter school, and Family Violence Center with shelter and hotline.
SEARCH Homeless Services
Day shelter (House of Tiny Treasures for kids), job program (The Flex), and rapid rehousing — full pipeline from street to stability.
Santa Maria Hostel
Largest women-only substance use treatment center in Texas — kids stay with mom during residential treatment.
St. Vincent de Paul Houston
Parish-based home visits — financial help with rent, utilities, prescriptions, plus pantries and the Mission of Yahweh shelter.
Star of Hope Mission
Emergency and long-term recovery shelters — separate campuses for men, women & families, with workforce and education on-site.
Tejano Center for Community Concerns
Affordable apartments, K-12 charter schools (Raul Yzaguirre Schools), and family wraparound services for the East End.
The Beacon
Downtown day shelter with showers, laundry, mailing addresses, lunch, on-site legal clinic and SOAR (SSI/SSDI) help.
The Credit Coalition (Houston)
HUD-approved housing counseling: pre-purchase classes, foreclosure prevention, rental counseling, plus credit & budget coaching.
The Salvation Army Greater Houston
Family Residence shelter, hot meals, rent and utility help, plus seasonal toy drives across Harris County.
West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM)
West Houston safety net — food, financial assistance, ESL, GED, free legal clinic monthly, and a resale shop.