Several religious organizations and church networks in El Paso, Texas, offer emergency rental assistance. Since these programs rely heavily on local grant funding and available donations, it is best to contact them directly to inquire about the current status of applications.
Major Churches that Help with Rent El Paso, Texas
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) – El Paso
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Diocesan Council of El Paso offers emergency rental assistance to families facing eviction. Because the SVDP is a decentralized network, assistance is managed directly through local parish groups (known as “conferences”) rather than a single central office.
You should contact the specific Catholic parish that serves your zip code or neighborhood.
Phone numbers and locations of active SVDP conferences
The SVDP provides a directory of diocesan conference assistance for El Paso. Please call the location serving your area:
Central El Paso (Downtown / Central)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church: (915) 544-4970 | 602 S. Oregon St.
St. Patrick Cathedral: (915) 533-4451 | 1118 N. Mesa St.
East / Southeast El Paso
St. Raphael Conference Helpline: (915) 613-0988
Corpus Christi / Lower Valley: (915) 848-0488 | 9205 N. Loop Dr.
Mt. Carmel Area: (915) 859-9848 | 131 S. Zaragosa Rd.
North / Northeast El Paso
Blessed Sacrament Church: (915) 503-1281 | 9025 Diana Dr.
West El Paso / Canutillo
Canutillo Ministry for the Needy: (915) 603-5994
St. Luke Catholic Church: (915) 792-6168
Note: If you are unsure which parish territory you belong to, you can contact the main office of the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at (915) 564-4357 (located at 2104 N. Piedras St.) to find out your assigned conference.
Rules & What to Expect
The neighborhood rule: If you contact a church branch (conference) located outside your neighborhood boundaries, you will be asked to contact the conference serving your local parish instead.
Home visits: The SVDP relies on local volunteers (Vincentians). After evaluating your initial request, two volunteers may arrange a confidential home visit to review your documents and verify residency before confirming payment.
Direct payments to the landlord: Approved rental funds are paid directly by check to your landlord or property management company, never directly to you.
Frequency limit: SVDP emergency financial assistance is intended for sudden crises and is generally limited to once every two years per household.
The Salvation Army of El Paso
The Salvation Army of El Paso offers emergency financial assistance to help low-income households cover rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills during sudden crises. Since funds depend on specific grants and seasonal donations, eligibility rules and fund availability vary throughout the year.
How to apply for assistance: The online portal
The fastest way to check if emergency rental funds are available in your area is through the official Salvation Army application portal:
Website: Go directly to SAHelp.org.
The process: Enter your home’s exact zip code to see which local El Paso center serves your area. If the application window is open, you can begin filling out a confidential online intake form. A case manager will contact you if additional documentation is needed.
Salvation Army locations in El Paso
If you cannot use the online portal, you can contact the local social services office directly. Always call before visiting in person to verify fund availability and to schedule an intake appointment.
Main Social Services Office and Family Shelter
Location: El Paso County Salvation Army | 4300 E. Paisano Dr., El Paso, TX 79905
Phone: (915) 544-9811
Citadel Corps Community Center
Location: 4900 Hercules Ave., El Paso, TX 79904 (Northeast El Paso)
Phone: (915) 755-4168
Eligibility Requirements
To be approved for rental assistance, you generally must meet the following criteria:
Proof of sudden hardship: You must demonstrate that you are experiencing a temporary financial crisis beyond your control, such as a medical emergency, sudden job loss, or a reduction in work hours.
Sustainability: You must demonstrate that, once the Salvation Army helps you get caught up, you have a realistic plan or sufficient income to pay rent on your own in the future.
Direct check to the landlord: Like most charitable organizations, funds are never given directly to you; a check is issued to your landlord or property management company.
Required documents
Have these documents ready to upload online or bring to your initial assessment appointment:
- Your current official photo ID.
- A copy of your formal, signed lease agreement.
- A written eviction notice, a past-due rent notice, or a statement from your landlord indicating the exact balance owed.
- Proof of household income for the last 30 to 60 days (pay stubs, tax records, or benefit notification letters).
Other local programs and partners
If the church’s funds are fully allocated, these community action agencies and county programs offer solid resources for rent and utility payments:
El Paso County General Assistance
The El Paso County General Assistance program is a county-funded resource designed to provide emergency financial aid to low-income residents.
Unlike private charitable organizations, this is a government program administered by the El Paso County Department of Community Services.
Contact information and location
Applications are generally processed on a first-come, first-served basis. It is highly recommended that you call for a preliminary assessment before visiting the office.
Physical address: 6314 Delta Dr. (at Fonseca), El Paso, TX 79905
Main service line: (915) 273-3496
Department alternate line: (915) 273-3485
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Note: Generally, a limited number of applications are accepted Monday through Thursday.
Key eligibility requirements
To successfully qualify for county rental assistance, your household must meet strict eligibility criteria and financial guidelines:
The 90-day rule: Your current financial crisis must stem from a sudden, documented loss of income or an unavoidable household emergency that occurred within the last 30 to 90 days.
Income limits: Generally, household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Maximum eligibility limits are adjusted based on family size:
1 Person: Up to $38,150
2 People: Up to $43,600
3 People: Up to $49,050
4 People: Up to $54,450
No duplication of benefits: You cannot simultaneously receive other active government housing subsidies (such as Section 8 voucher adjustments) during the same period.
Assistance limit: Generally, approved households are eligible for emergency rental assistance only once every 12 to 24 months.
Documents to submit
The county requires hard-copy documentation for each application. Ensure you have copies of the following before scheduling an appointment:
- A current, official photo ID for all adult household members.
- Social Security cards for all family members.
- Your current, signed lease agreement, showing your name and the monthly rent amount.
- A written notice of past-due rent, a record of late fees, or a formal eviction notice issued by the landlord.
- Official proof of the crisis situation (e.g., medical bills, a termination letter from an employer, a layoff notice, or proof of reduced work hours).
- Proof of all household income for the past 30 to 60 days.
Project BRAVO (El Paso Community Action Program)
Project BRAVO (El Paso Community Action Program) is a designated community action agency that assists low- to moderate-income residents throughout El Paso County. They offer HUD-certified housing counseling, utility (energy) payment assistance, and eviction prevention options.
Contact information and local centers
Project BRAVO does not accept online applications. Applications must be submitted in person using paper forms at a local center. You can contact any of the centers via the central phone line: (915) 562-4100.
Central Office: Project BRAVO Central | 2000 Texas Ave., El Paso, TX 79901 (Ext. 117)
Northeast / Westside Center: 4838 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79903 (Ext. 342)
Ysleta Center: 8908 Old County Dr., El Paso, TX 79907 (Ext. 300)
Eastside Center: 14901 Whitetail Deer Dr., El Paso, TX 79938
Housing and Rental Assistance Programs
Project BRAVO’s work regarding housing and financial stabilization includes:
Texas Eviction Diversion Program (court referral only): Project BRAVO collaborates directly with El Paso County Justice of the Peace courts. If your landlord has filed a formal eviction lawsuit, a judge may halt the process and refer your case directly to Project BRAVO. If the application is approved, the program can cover up to six months of past-due rent—paid to the landlord—to secure the dismissal of the lawsuit.
HUD Housing Counseling: Certified counselors assist tenants with issues such as tenant rights, resolving landlord disputes, budget planning, and emergency stabilization strategies. Contact extensions 119, 120, or 130 to speak with a housing counselor.
Affordable Property Management: Project BRAVO owns and manages six affordable apartment complexes in El Paso, offering fixed, below-market rates for low-income working families..
Utility Bill Support (CEAP)
If the primary threat of eviction stems from unpaid electricity, gas, or propane bills, Project BRAVO administers the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). This organization can intervene by making direct emergency payments to utility companies to ensure you maintain electricity and heating services.
Quick tips for applying
Gather your documentation in advance: You will generally need a copy of your current lease agreement, a formal eviction notice or notice of overdue rent, proof of household income, and valid identification.
Call early in the week: Most church ministries review financial assistance requests on specific days or at the start of the week, when new funding cycles open.
Dial 2-1-1: If you need real-time information on which neighborhood churches currently have funds available for rent payments, call 2-1-1 (or visit Texas 211 online) to contact the Texas Information Referral Network.
