Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)
DFPS program for youth 16 and older in foster care who are likely to stay in care until 18, with services available until the 21st birthday. Covers a life-skills assessment and training, a transitional living allowance of up to $1,000, and aftercare room-and-board help of up to $500 a month for ages 18 to 21.
Texas Foster Youth Justice Project
Free legal help for current and former foster youth, as well as young people who are homeless or lack family support. Also publishes plain-language guides on ID documents, Medicaid, housing, education and juvenile or criminal records.
Star of Hope Mission
Houston shelter operating a Men's Development Center at 1811 Ruiz St. and a Women and Family Development Center at 2575 Reed Rd. Stays run from one night to 18 months; no ID is needed to get in, and long-term housing requires sobriety.
SEARCH Homeless Services
Houston agency that moves people from the street into housing with case management and wrap-around support, plus street outreach and a preschool for children of families in the program. Housing placement runs through the city's Coordinated Access assessment.
The Beacon
Downtown Houston day center serving hundreds of homeless men and women daily with meals, housing case management, civil legal aid, counseling and mentoring.
Covenant House Texas
Houston crisis shelter and housing continuum for young people experiencing homelessness, open around the clock. Walk in or call to be connected to housing programs and supportive services.
Haven for Hope
San Antonio homeless campus with a low-barrier South Campus shelter and a North Campus transformational program for Bexar County residents. New arrivals are handled on a walk-in basis at the Intake Building during weekday business hours.
Austin Street Center
One of Dallas's largest emergency shelters, serving women 18 and over and men 45 and over. Walk-up evaluation runs weekday middays, beds usually fill before noon and are assigned by lottery when demand exceeds space.
Front Steps
Austin nonprofit running supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals, a veterans program, and the First Steps housing stability program. Applications are taken through an online form.
Houston Area Women's Center
Houston's crisis center for women, children and families escaping domestic violence, sexual assault or sex trafficking. Separate 24-hour hotlines handle domestic violence and sexual assault, with a TTY line, counseling, legal help and supportive housing.
Genesis Women's Shelter & Support
Dallas shelter and counseling program for women and children leaving abuse, offered at no cost. A single 24-hour helpline takes calls and texts for emergency shelter, safety planning and counseling.
Unbound Now
Anti-trafficking organization with 24/7 crisis response, case management and a drop-in center for trafficked and at-risk youth across several Texas regions. Each region has its own around-the-clock crisis and referral line.
Communities for Recovery
Austin recovery community organization offering peer support, a support-group meetup calendar and free naloxone training. Open into the evening on weekdays and on Saturdays.
The Council on Recovery
Houston nonprofit providing outpatient substance use treatment, prevention, recovery coaching referrals and recovery meetings regardless of ability to pay. A staffed chat line runs on weekday business hours.
Lone Star Legal Aid
Free civil legal aid for low-income residents of East and Southeast Texas including Houston, with units for crime victims, public benefits, eviction defense, employment and civil matters tied to the criminal justice system.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Free civil legal services for low-income people across 114 counties in North and West Texas, including Dallas–Fort Worth. Handles eviction, family and domestic violence cases, public benefits, immigration, and removing barriers to employment and housing.
Refugee Services
Resettlement support for refugee families arriving in Houston: airport pickup, apartment set-up, school registration, English conversation partners, family mentoring and a women's empowerment group.
Vital Statistics Section
State office that issues certified Texas birth and death certificates and verifies marriage and divorce records. Orders can be placed online around the clock, by mail, in person, or through local county offices; you must be a qualified requester with acceptable ID and the fee.
Texas Identification Card
How to get a state ID card from DPS: fill out form DL-14A, book an appointment at a driver license office, bring proof of citizenship or lawful presence, Texas residency, identity and Social Security number, then pay the fee. A temporary card is issued on the spot and the permanent card arrives by mail in two to three weeks.
Your Texas Benefits
The state's online portal to apply for SNAP food benefits, TANF cash help, Medicaid and CHIP health coverage, WIC, and support services. Applications can also be made at an HHSC benefit office or community partner.
Texas Council on Family Violence
Statewide coalition of Texas family violence programs. Its Find Help page points survivors to the local shelter and advocacy program serving their county; the Austin office numbers below are general lines, not a crisis hotline.
2-1-1 Texas
Free information and referral line for food, housing, health care, utility help and other local services anywhere in Texas. Dial 2-1-1 or the toll-free number, or use the English or Spanish live chat on the website.
Rehabilitation and Reentry Division
TDCJ division responsible for reentry planning, evidence-based programs, second-chance hiring and veteran services for people leaving Texas prisons. It runs a Reentry Hotline and publishes a Reentry Resource Guide.
The SAFE Alliance
Austin provider for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking and child abuse. The confidential SAFEline takes calls, texts and web chats 24 hours a day; in-person advocacy is available weekdays.
National lines that work in Texas
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.