Austin City Council has approved $4 million in emergency rental assistance funding for the fiscal year 2026, running from October 2025 to September 2026. The funds will be distributed through the “I Belong in Austin” program, which aims to prevent evictions and assist residents earning at or below 80% of the area median income. Applications are accepted monthly from the first to the seventh day, and residents can apply online at www.AustinTexas.gov/rent.
Deletta Dean, Director of Austin Housing, emphasized the importance of this program: “The I Belong in Austin program is a vital part of our city’s commitment to keeping families housed and communities stable.” She added that with additional funding, more Austinites at risk of eviction could receive necessary support.
As part of the city’s budget for 2025-2026, an extra $400,000 was allocated for rental assistance. This decision comes amid rising eviction rates. El Buen Samaritano, a community partner operating the program, helps determine eligibility for those facing eviction risks.
Nefertitti Jackmon, Community Displacement Prevention Officer for Austin Housing, noted that affordability remains a significant challenge: “Affordability continues to be an ongoing challenge for many hardworking families in Austin. Last year, we saw the sharpest increase in evictions in Travis County.”
Since its launch in 2023, “I Belong in Austin” has provided over $13 million to nearly 3,000 households. The program has assisted more than 7,000 individuals, including children living in unstable housing conditions. More details can be found on El Buen Samaritano’s I Belong in Austin Dashboard.
Dr. Rosamaria Murillo, CEO of El Buen Samaritano, highlighted the impact of stability: “I Belong in Austin affirms the power of stability…building a future where all Austinites can flourish together.”
Applications are processed through a randomized selection process to ensure equity. Past applicants must reapply each month as applications do not carry over. Assistance can also be sought by visiting El Buen Samaritano’s offices or calling their call center.
A letter from Lajos and Ericka from zip code 78741 described how they overcame hardships like job loss and rental debt with help from the program: “Thank you for stopping and noticing us…Thank you for your goodness.”
More information about applying is available at www.austintexas.gov/rent or by contacting El Buen Samaritano directly.
Information from this article can be found here.
