FIELD OPERATION · CENTRAL TEXAS PILOT REGION

[SURVEY GRID: CENTRAL TX · LAT 30°16'N / LON 97°44'W]

Texas Pilot: Field Intelligence & Statutory Routes

Texas is the initial operating ground and proof-of-concept pilot for Maps With Teeth. We map concrete statutory escape rights, municipal failure points, and obscure emergency relief funds across Central Texas.

RESEARCH REGISTRY · AUGUST 2026 AUDIT

Central Texas Pilot Counties & Coverage Matrix

5 COUNTIES MONITORED

[TRAVIS]PILOT CORE

Travis County

Austin Metro · Municipal Utility · Rapid Rekeying

Coverage Level:94% Audited

[WILCO]PILOT CORE

Williamson County

Round Rock / Georgetown · Suburban Housing Barriers

Coverage Level:90% Audited

[BASTROP]PILOT CORE

Bastrop County

Rural Emergency Assistance · Transit Deficits

Coverage Level:82% Audited

[HAYS]FIELD TESTING

Hays County

San Marcos / Kyle · Student / Renter Insecurity

Coverage Level:78% Audited

[HARRIS]GULF EXPANSION

Harris County

Houston Metro · Multi-Jurisdiction Fragmentation

Coverage Level:75% Audited

SELECT JURISDICTION / PILOT COUNTY:

Travis CountyPILOT Williamson CountyPILOT Harris CountyGULF Hays CountyPILOT Bastrop CountyPILOT

Texas Statutory Escape Routes (Non-Discretionary Rights)

Audited Against Texas Statutes · August 2026

Unlike discretionary charities with exhausted budgets, statutory escape mechanisms are enforceable rights established in the Texas Property Code, Utilities Code, and Code of Criminal Procedure.

Allows a tenant who is a survivor of family violence to terminate their lease agreement early without liability for future delinquent rent or early-termination penalty fees.

Statutory Protections & Non-Discretionary Rights:

Tenant is released from all liability for future delinquent rent and lease break penalties once statutory notice and documentation are provided.
Landlord cannot withhold security deposit solely due to lawful early termination under § 92.016.
The lease termination date is determined by statute upon providing written notice and qualifying documentation.

Critical Legal Nuances & Exceptions:

• CRITICAL EXCEPTION (§ 92.016(c-1)): Ordinarily, the tenant follows the statutory notice process. However, if the family violence was committed by a cotenant or occupant of the dwelling, § 92.016(c-1) provides an exception to the ordinary 30-day notice requirement once statutory documentation conditions are satisfied.
• Unpaid rent accrued prior to the date of lease termination remains owed.
• Remaining non-perpetrator cotenants on the lease maintain independent lease obligations unless separately relieved.

Required Documentation:

• Temporary injunction or protective order issued under Texas Family Code Title 4, OR
• Magistrate's Order of Emergency Protection (MOEP) under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 17.292, OR
• Official documentation from a licensed healthcare provider, mental health provider, or family violence advocate as prescribed by Tex. Prop. Code § 92.016(b)(3).

Enforcing Authority / Administering Agency:

Texas Judicial System / Justice of the Peace Courts

Official Texas Capitol Statute Text

* Educational statutory summary only. Does not constitute formal legal counsel. Consult a qualified Texas family law attorney or legal aid provider for case representation.

DOCUMENTED FAILURE POINTS

Known Gaps & Institutional Bottlenecks in Central Texas

Our fieldwork identifies specific points where survivor navigation breaks down. These failure modes inform alternate route recommendations.

CRITICAL FAILURE POINT

The Sub-$100 Micro-Cash Desert

Almost zero formal Texas agencies disburse immediate non-vendor cash for $30 gas, $45 bus passes, or $75 locksmith rekeying fees without a 2-week intake cycle.

DOCUMENTED DEAD-END

County Line Boundary Traps

Survivors residing in suburban enclaves (e.g. Austin addresses inside Williamson County) are routinely bounced back and forth between municipal and county jurisdictions.

STRUCTURAL BARRIER

Communal Shelter Prerequisite Lockouts

Over 60% of discretionary emergency housing funds in Central Texas require active residency in a congregate DV shelter, locking out shift workers and pet owners.

OPEN INVESTIGATION DOCKETS

What We Still Don’t Know (Community Intelligence Wanted)

Submit Local Intel →

[INTEL #1]

Are there active ministerial alliance discretionary funds in Elgin or Bastrop paying direct utility deposits without church membership?

[INTEL #2]

Which electric retail providers (REPs) in the Oncor service territory currently reject TCFV 16 TAC § 25.478 deposit waiver letters via online portals?

[INTEL #3]

What is the actual average turnaround time for Austin Victims Services lock rekeying dispatches under Tex. Prop. Code § 92.153?

STATEWIDE AUDITED CATALOG

Statewide Texas Programs & Direct Services

[7 STATEWIDE RECORDS]

Texas StatewideSTATUTORY RIGHT

[OFFICIAL SOURCE CHECKED · 2026-08-29]

Texas Crime Victims' Compensation (CVC) Relocation Assistance

Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG)

Statute: Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Chapter 56B

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Up to $5,000 total for documented qualifying relocation deposits, moving expenses, and rent for qualifying crimes occurring after August 31, 2023. Potentially covered relocation categories under Texas OAG rules include emergency lodging, monthly rent, professional movers, rental deposits, pet deposits, storage units, relocation transportation, utility deposits/connections, transfer fees, and rental truck/van costs.

• Funding Limit: Up to $5,000 for post-Aug 31, 2023 offenses ($2,000 for pre-Sept 1, 2023 crimes). Must submit itemized receipts.

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

Victims of violent crime or domestic violence in Texas who reported the incident to law enforcement (or qualifying exceptions) and incurred financial expenses directly resulting from the crime.

Income Restriction:None (eligibility is based on victimization, not poverty threshold)

Referral Required:None required (can self-apply online, but shelter/hospital advocate assistance recommended)

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:MANDATORY

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•Police report or law enforcement incident number required
•Payer of last resort (collateral sources like insurance must be used first)
•Reimbursement or vendor-paid only (not an instant upfront cash payment)

4. Immediate Next Step:

Apply online through the Texas OAG Crime Victims' Portal (texasattorneygeneral.gov) or meet with a hospital/shelter victim witness counselor.

Source URL

Texas StatewideSTATUTORY RIGHT

[OFFICIAL SOURCE CHECKED · 2026-08-29]

Texas Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG)

Statute: Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Chapter 58, Subchapter B

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Provides survivors of family violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking with a confidential substitute mailing address (P.O. Box in Austin) that state agencies, county clerks, local courts, and public school districts are legally mandated to accept in lieu of a physical home address.

• Funding Limit: Statutory confidentiality service (no direct monetary grant)

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

Survivors of family violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking who are establishing a new confidential address in Texas.

Income Restriction:None

Referral Required:Must apply through a certified in-person ACP Enrollment Assistant at a local domestic violence shelter or prosecutor's office

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:Not Required

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•Cannot self-apply directly online; must meet with a certified ACP Enrollment Assistant
•Private commercial entities (private landlords, banks, credit card bureaus) are not mandated by state statute to accept ACP substitute address
•Mail forwarding introduces 5–10 day delivery delay for forwarded standard mail

4. Immediate Next Step:

Locate a certified ACP Enrollment Assistant by calling a local domestic violence shelter, legal aid office, or the OAG ACP line at 888-832-2322.

Source URL

Texas StatewideSTATUTORY RIGHT

[OFFICIAL SOURCE CHECKED · 2026-08-29]

Early Lease Termination Following Family Violence

State of Texas / Texas Judicial System

Statute: Tex. Prop. Code § 92.016

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Allows a tenant who is a survivor of family violence to legally terminate their residential lease agreement early without liability for future delinquent rent, early-termination penalty fees, or forfeiture of security deposit solely due to breaking the lease.

• Funding Limit: Statutory legal remedy (relieves debt obligations; not a direct cash payout)

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

Any residential tenant in Texas who is a victim of family violence and provides statutory written notice and documentation.

Income Restriction:None

Referral Required:None (can provide advocate/medical letter or court order directly to landlord)

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:Not Required

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•Past unpaid rent accrued before the effective termination date remains owed
•Must provide one of the 3 statutory documentation forms; verbal notice or informal letters are legally insufficient
•Cotenant exception (§ 92.016(c-1)): If violence was committed by a cotenant/occupant, statutory 30-day notice is waived once documentation conditions are met

4. Immediate Next Step:

Obtain qualifying advocate/medical letter or protective order, deliver formal written notice of lease termination to landlord, and vacate the dwelling.

Source URL

Texas Deregulated Electric MarketsSTATUTORY RIGHT

[OFFICIAL SOURCE CHECKED · 2026-08-29]

Texas Electric Utility Deposit Waiver Network

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) / Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV)

Statute: 16 TAC § 25.478(a)(3)(D)

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Legally prohibits Retail Electric Providers (REPs) in deregulated Texas markets from requiring an initial or reconnection security deposit (saving $150 to $400 upfront) when establishing electric service in survivor's name.

• Funding Limit: 100% deposit waiver for deregulated electric accounts

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

Any victim of family violence establishing electric service with a Retail Electric Provider (REP) in Texas.

Income Restriction:None

Referral Required:Advocate certification letter required (available from any Texas family violence center)

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:Not Required

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•Applies strictly to Retail Electric Providers in ERCOT deregulated areas (Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP territories)
•Municipal utilities (Austin Energy, CPS Energy) and co-ops operate under municipal board rules (though many voluntarily offer waivers)
•Requires signed certification letter from a recognized family violence shelter or legal aid advocate

4. Immediate Next Step:

Contact any local Texas domestic violence center or legal aid advocate to obtain the signed TCFV certification letter, then email or fax it to your chosen electric provider.

Source URL

Texas StatewideSTATUTORY RIGHT

[OFFICIAL SOURCE CHECKED · 2026-08-29]

Residential Rekeying & Security Device Protections

State of Texas / Justice of the Peace Courts

Statute: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.153–92.165

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Sets statutory requirements for landlord installation of door locks, keyless deadbolts, and door viewers on all rental dwellings, and governs tenant rekeying rights during tenancies.

• Funding Limit: Statutory rights (tenant generally pays rekey fee during ongoing lease unless landlord breached duties)

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

All residential tenants in Texas.

Income Restriction:None

Referral Required:None (self-execute via written notice to landlord)

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:Not Required

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•Subchapter D governs general security devices, not an automatic free lock change for domestic disputes
•Tenant is generally responsible for reasonable rekey fees during ongoing lease unless landlord breached statutory duties or court protective order directs otherwise
•Notice must be delivered in writing

4. Immediate Next Step:

Send formal written notice to landlord requesting rekeying. If emergency protective order with kick-out is in place, attach copy demanding exclusion of abuser.

Source URL

Texas StatewideSTATUTORY RIGHT

[OFFICIAL SOURCE CHECKED · 2026-08-29]

Texas Unemployment Benefits Family Violence Exception

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)

Statute: Tex. Lab. Code § 207.045(d)

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Provides an exception to unemployment disqualification when an employee leaves their job voluntarily due to medically or practically necessary separation caused by domestic violence or relocation for safety.

• Funding Limit: Standard TWC weekly benefit amount for up to 26 weeks

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

Texas workers who separated from employment because of documented domestic violence and meet standard base-period wage credit thresholds.

Income Restriction:Must meet standard TWC base-period wage qualifications

Referral Required:None (claimant self-applies online with TWC)

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:Not Required

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•Must provide documentation connecting the job separation to domestic violence safety threats
•Standard base-period wage earnings criteria still apply
•Must remain able and available for suitable safe work or work search

4. Immediate Next Step:

File initial claim on ui.texasworkforce.org, select family safety exception under § 207.045(d), and upload advocate/medical letter.

Source URL

Texas StatewideSTATUTORY RIGHT

[OFFICIAL SOURCE CHECKED · 2026-08-29]

Texas Protective Orders & Kick-Out Remedies

Texas District Courts & County Courts at Law

Statute: Tex. Fam. Code Title 4

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Civil court orders legally prohibiting an abuser from committing violence, stalking, contacting the survivor, going near home/work/school, and granting exclusive possession of a shared residence (Kick-Out Order).

• Funding Limit: Legal injunction remedy; no court filing fees may be assessed against victim

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

Any victim of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in Texas.

Income Restriction:None (free filing for all applicants; legal aid income limits apply only for free representation)

Referral Required:None (can apply via County Attorney, Legal Aid, or private attorney)

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:Not Required

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•Perpetrator must be served with notice before final protective order hearing
•Requires testifying in family court if contested
•Kick-out orders require showing that perpetrator committed family violence within the past 30 days

4. Immediate Next Step:

Contact the County Attorney Victim Services unit, Texas Advocacy Project (800-374-4673), or Texas RioGrande Legal Aid for free representation.

Source URL