CENTRAL TEXAS PILOT FIELD PROFILE

[PILOT COHORT ACTIVE]

Field Intelligence: Travis County

County Seat: Austin • Municipal Centers: Austin, Pflugerville, Manor, Lakeway, Del Valle, Bee Cave

SELECT JURISDICTION / PILOT COUNTY:

Travis CountyPILOT Williamson CountyPILOT Harris CountyGULF Hays CountyPILOT Bastrop CountyPILOT

Crisis Shelter Partner

SAFE Alliance (Kelly White Campus / Austin SafeLine 512-267-7233)

Legal Aid Provider

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA Austin) & Texas Advocacy Project

Community Action (CSBG)

Travis County Health and Human Services (Family Support Services) & Community Action Network

LOCAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDS

Emergency Micro-Aid in Travis County

St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin (SVdP)Micro-cash, utilities, gas, moving assistance

Parish-based home visit conferences providing rapid emergency micro-grants for gas cards, utility disconnect prevention, locksmith fees, and rental assistance.

Caritas of Austin Emergency AssistanceHousing stabilization, security deposits, basic needs

Targeted housing stabilization funds, rapid rehousing, and emergency groceries for individuals on the verge of displacement.

Austin Area Urban League Housing & Emergency ServicesRent, deposits, workforce transit

Flexible financial assistance for rent, deposit, and workforce transportation for low-to-moderate income residents.

Central Texas Food Bank Client ServicesEmergency food, SNAP navigation

Direct emergency food pantries and expedited SNAP application assistance across Travis County.

LOCAL DIRECTORY

County Directory Entries (3)

Travis County, TexasDISCRETIONARY AID

[PUBLIC SOURCE CHECKED · 2026-08-20]

Travis County Family Support Services (Emergency Housing & Utility Aid)

Travis County Health and Human Services (TCHHS) · Travis County

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Provides direct emergency financial assistance for past-due rent, security deposits, utility bills, and food vouchers to low-income Travis County residents facing immediate housing instability or crisis displacement.

• Funding Limit: Subject to annual county budget allocations; paid directly to landlords/utility vendors

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

Travis County residents with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Income Restriction:Household income at or below 200% FPL

Referral Required:None (self-apply via regional Travis County Community Center)

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:Not Required

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•County residency strictly required
•Income must be under 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines
•High application volume can cause appointment delays

4. Immediate Next Step:

Call your nearest Travis County Community Center (e.g. Palm Square 512-854-4120, Del Valle 512-854-1520, Pflugerville 512-854-1530) to schedule an intake appointment.

Source URL

Travis County, TexasDISCRETIONARY AID

[AGENCY CONFIRMED · 2026-08-20]

SAFE Alliance Emergency Services & Legal Advocacy

SAFE Alliance · Travis County

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Operates 24/7 crisis safe line, emergency campus shelter (Kelly White Campus), supportive transitional housing, forensic exams, protective order legal representation, and emergency micro-aid for survivors in Travis County.

• Funding Limit: Shelter beds subject to daily capacity; non-residential legal/counseling services open

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in Austin and Travis County.

Income Restriction:None for crisis shelter and advocacy

Referral Required:None (call 24/7 SAFEline)

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:Not Required

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•Emergency shelter beds subject to immediate facility capacity
•Local service area prioritized for Travis County residents
•High demand for non-residential counseling waitlists

4. Immediate Next Step:

Call or text the 24/7 SAFEline at 512-267-7233 or chat online at safeaustin.org/chat.

Source URL

Travis, Williamson & Hays CountiesDISCRETIONARY AID

[PUBLIC SOURCE CHECKED · 2026-08-20]

St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Council of Austin Emergency Micro-Aid

Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Austin Council) · Travis County

1. What It Can Actually Help With:

Volunteer home-visit conferences providing rapid emergency micro-aid for gas vouchers ($25–$50), utility disconnect prevention, emergency rent shortfall, urgent locksmith costs, and prescription medications.

• Funding Limit: Discretionary parish conference funds (typically up to $500 per intervention)

2. Who Can Use It & Access Conditions:

Individuals and families residing within participating parish boundary areas facing immediate financial emergency.

Income Restriction:Demonstrated crisis shortfall

Referral Required:None (call central helpline)

Shelter Connection:Not Required

Police Report:Not Required

3. What Can Block Access (The Catch):

•Must reside within boundaries of an active SVdP parish conference
•Assistance amounts capped based on local parish discretionary budgets
•Requires phone interview or home/virtual visit with volunteers

4. Immediate Next Step:

Call the St. Vincent de Paul Austin Help Line at 512-251-6995 to be routed to the volunteer conference serving your neighborhood.

Source URL