How long is the waitlist for Section 8?

Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.

211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.

Can single dads get TANF?

Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.

Housing & Financial in Texas

15 verified resources.

About Housing & Financial for Fathers

Housing and financial assistance for fathers comes through a combination of federal programs (HUD, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP) and state/local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with long waitlists in most markets. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program — every region has a Coordinated Entry system that assesses and places homeless adults and families. Rental assistance, utility assistance (LIHEAP), and one-time emergency funds are available through community action agencies and 211 referral lines. Fathers with children in their custody may qualify for Section 8 family priority and TANF, though state rules vary. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 call lines, and community action agencies that serve single dads.

Housing & Financial in Texas

Texas district courts hear family matters across its 254 counties, with many urban counties operating dedicated family courts. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division runs enforcement statewide. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth are the largest metros. Texas Legal Services Center, Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid cover the state.

15 Resources

1. Texas HHS — TANF Cash Assistance — Free

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families providing monthly cash payments to low-income families with children in Texas. Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com, visit a local HHS office, or call 211 for assistance. Custodial fathers may qualify if they have low income and are the primary caregiver. Benefits are time-limited. Work participation requirements apply. Bring proof of income, custody documentation, and children's birth certificates when applying for TANF benefits.

(855) 937-2372 · 4601 W. Guadalupe St., Austin, TX 78751 · Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM · Visit Website

2. Texas TDHCA — Housing & Community Affairs — Free

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs administers Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and connects low-income Texans to rental assistance, home repair programs, and community action agencies statewide. Contact your local Public Housing Authority or call 2-1-1 to apply for housing vouchers and emergency rental assistance. Waitlists may be long — apply as early as possible. Single fathers with dependent children may receive priority in some programs.

(512) 475-3800 · 221 E. 11th St., Austin, TX 78701 · Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Visit Website

3. HUD Housing Counseling — Texas — Free

HUD-approved housing counselors throughout Texas providing free advice on foreclosure prevention, eviction defense, tenant rights, and rental assistance. Call 1-800-569-4287 or search at hud.gov by ZIP code to find a HUD-certified counselor near you. Counselors can review your lease, explain tenant rights under Texas law, and connect you to emergency rental assistance programs. Services are free for all Texas residents regardless of income level.

1-800-569-4287 · Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET · Visit Website

4. Star of Hope — Men's Development Center (Houston) — Free

Comprehensive residential program in Houston with emergency shelter, meals, case management, job training, and recovery support for up to 275 men. Long-term transitional housing available for men who complete the program. Located in the Houston area. Case managers help residents address housing instability, employment barriers, substance use, and mental health needs. Contact Star of Hope to learn about intake procedures, current bed availability, and program requirements.

(713) 227-8900 · 1811 Ruiz St., Houston, TX 77002 · Intake: Mon-Sat 8-11 AM & 1-3 PM; Sun 9-12 & 1-3 · Visit Website

5. Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) — Free

Austin's main first-point-of-entry shelter for adults experiencing homelessness. Emergency shelter, meals, case management, showers, storage, and on-site healthcare available. For placement, call Sunrise Navigation Center: (512) 522-1097. Open to men and women. Case managers help connect residents to housing resources, employment, mental health services, and substance use treatment. Coordinated entry is the pathway for accessing emergency shelter beds in Austin/Travis County.

(512) 305-4100 · 500 E. 7th St., Austin, TX 78701 · Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Visit Website

6. Haven for Hope — San Antonio — Free

San Antonio's primary campus for homeless services providing shelter, meals, mental health, substance abuse recovery, job training, and medical care for men, women, and families. North Campus open 24/7. Case managers develop individualized plans for each resident. Services include GED preparation, employment assistance, and transitional housing. Contact Haven for Hope or call 2-1-1 for San Antonio to get connected to intake and available services for homeless individuals.

(210) 220-2100 · 1 Haven For Hope Way, San Antonio, TX 78207 · Intake Mon-Fri 8-5; North Campus 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Salvation Army Texas — Emergency Financial Assistance — Free

Emergency rent assistance, utility help, food, and shelter across Houston, DFW, San Antonio, and Austin. Helps prevent homelessness for men and families in financial emergencies. Contact your nearest Salvation Army location to apply for emergency assistance. Bring proof of income, a utility bill or lease, and photo ID. Services are available regardless of faith background. Call 2-1-1 to find the nearest Texas Salvation Army location that offers emergency financial assistance.

(214) 424-7050 · 6500 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75235 · Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (varies) · Visit Website

8. Catholic Charities Galveston-Houston — Free

Housing assistance, utility help, food, and financial stability services in Houston regardless of faith background. Rapid Rehousing program provides financial assistance and case navigators to help homeless individuals and families move into permanent housing quickly. Call Catholic Charities Galveston-Houston for intake information. Bring proof of income, photo ID, and housing documents when applying. Services are open to all residents regardless of religion.

(832) 531-6041 · 2900 Louisiana St., Houston, TX 77006 · Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM · Visit Website

9. Lone Star Legal Aid — Housing & Eviction Help — Free

Free housing attorneys for low-income residents in 76 Texas counties covering East and Southeast Texas. Eviction defense, landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosure prevention, and public benefits assistance. Call 1-800-733-8394 for intake. Income eligibility required — bring proof of income and your lease or court documents. Lone Star Legal Aid attorneys can represent you in eviction court, help negotiate with landlords, and appeal public housing terminations at no cost.

(713) 652-0077 · 1415 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77002 · Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Visit Website

10. Dallas Life Foundation — Men's Emergency Shelter — Free

One of the largest homeless shelters in North Texas with up to 570 beds. Emergency shelter, meals, addiction recovery, job training, and transitional housing for men in Dallas. Long-term programs help residents address the root causes of homelessness. Case management, GED classes, and employment assistance available. Contact Dallas Life Foundation for intake procedures and current bed availability. Located in the Dallas area serving single adult men experiencing homelessness.

(214) 421-1380 · 1100 Cadiz St, Dallas, TX 75215 · Intake daily; call ahead · Visit Website

11. Houston-Galveston Area Council — Homeless Services — Free

Coordinates Continuum of Care homeless services across the 13-county Houston-Galveston region. Connects individuals to emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. Call 2-1-1 or the coordinated entry system to access housing resources. HGAC tracks available shelter beds and housing resources across the Houston metro area. Case managers help eligible individuals navigate from shelter to permanent housing with wraparound support services.

(713) 627-3200 · 3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 120, Houston, TX 77027 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

12. Family Gateway — Dallas Family Shelter — Free

Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing for families with children experiencing homelessness in Dallas County. Case management, employment support, and children's programs available. Single fathers with dependent children are eligible. Contact Family Gateway for intake information. Case managers help families stabilize quickly and move into permanent housing with rental assistance and ongoing support. Children's programming addresses trauma and supports educational continuity during housing transitions.

(214) 823-4500 · 711 S. St. Paul St, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75201 · Mon-Fri 8-5; shelter 24/7 · Visit Website

13. Tarrant County Homeless Coalition (Fort Worth) — Free

Coordinates homeless services across Tarrant County including Fort Worth and Arlington. Centralized intake, rapid rehousing, and referrals to shelters and supportive housing programs. Call 2-1-1 or the Tarrant County Coalition to access coordinated entry services. Case managers help connect individuals and families to available shelter beds, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing resources throughout the Fort Worth metro area and surrounding Tarrant County communities.

(817) 509-3635 · 1100 Hemphill St, Fort Worth, TX 76104 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

14. St. Vincent de Paul — Emergency Financial Aid (Texas) — Free

Catholic charitable society providing emergency rent, utility, and food assistance regardless of religion or background. Local conferences statewide help prevent eviction and utility shutoff. Call your local parish or 2-1-1 to find the nearest SVdP conference in your Texas county. Bring documentation of your need — utility shutoff notice, eviction notice, or proof of financial hardship. Assistance is provided with dignity and no religious requirements are imposed.

(512) 442-5652 · Conferences statewide · Varies by local conference · Visit Website

15. Texas Rent Relief (TDHCA) — Free

State-administered emergency rental assistance for Texans behind on rent due to financial hardship. Covers past-due rent, utilities, and future rent for eligible households. Apply at texasrentrelief.com or call for assistance. Income limits apply — typically households at or below 80% Area Median Income. Landlord participation required. Bring lease, utility bills, and proof of income when applying. Program availability varies — contact TDHCA for current funding status.

(833) 989-7368 · Online 24/7; phone Mon-Fri 8-6

Housing & Financial — Common Questions

How long is the waitlist for Section 8?: Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Can single dads get TANF?: Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
What's LIHEAP?: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.