Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Cameron County Community Resources — Emergency Rental + Utility + CDCB ERAP
Cameron County Commissioners Court — Community Development; partnered with Come Dream Come Build (CDCB) — a Texas 501(c)(3) housing nonprofit headquartered in Brownsville — to administer the Cameron County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and broader emergency aid for Cameron County residents
Who it's for
Cameron County's emergency assistance framework operates through a partnership with Come Dream Come Build (CDCB), a Texas 501(c)(3) housing nonprofit headquartered in Brownsville. CDCB administers the Cameron County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and coordinates broader emergency aid. The county was awarded $12.7 million in federal pandemic-era ERAP funding administered through CDCB, though current program availability depends on annual federal and county appropriations. Eligibility for ERAP typically requires renter household income at or below 80% of area median income (about $46,950 for a family of four), proof of pandemic or post-pandemic financial impact (reduced work hours, loss of income, or illness), and documentation of imminent housing or utility loss. The broader Cameron County emergency aid framework also includes referrals to: (1) Salvation Army Harlingen (rent, utilities, prescriptions, emergency transportation, clothing vouchers, food); (2) CACOST for energy assistance (tx.cameron.cacost_ceap); (3) AAA-LRGV for senior-specific intake (tx.cameron.lrgvdc_aaa); (4) Cameron and Willacy Counties Community Projects, Inc. for additional utility assistance. Apply through CDCB at cdcb.org/rental-assistance, by calling Cameron County Community Development at 956-544-6411, or by dialing 211 for general 211 information.
Cameron County's CDCB-PARTNERED emergency assistance model is distinctive — most TX counties operate emergency aid through county BoCC departments directly; Cameron contracts the ERAP administration to CDCB. The 80% AMI income gate (vs the standard 200% FPL) makes Cameron ERAP MORE generous for middle-income households facing housing crisis. ERAP funding is APPROPRIATIONS-LIMITED and tied to federal pandemic-era allocations — actual program availability changes over time. For senior-specific intake, Salvation Army Harlingen and the AAA-LRGV ADRC are useful complementary pathways.
What you'll need
- Proof of age 60+ for senior pathway
- Proof of all household income for the prior 30-60 days
- Proof of Cameron County residency
- Photo identification
- For emergency rental: notice to vacate OR eviction notice OR documentation of imminent housing loss
- For utility assistance: utility bill + disconnect notice
- Documentation of pandemic or financial-impact circumstances
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 956-544-6411
Renewals
appropriations-limited; benefit availability varies by fiscal year and federal funding cycle
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.