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Help Paying a Security Deposit or First Month’s Rent in San Antonio

Help Paying a Security Deposit or First Month’s Rent in San Antonio

You found the apartment. The rent fits your budget. But the move stalls on one number: the security deposit — plus application fees, a utility deposit, and moving costs — all due before you get the keys.

Here is the honest picture in San Antonio. Deposit help does exist, but it is narrower than most people expect, and it comes from specific programs with specific rules. This page names the real ones, who they are for, and how to apply. It also tells you which big names do not offer deposit help, so you do not waste a trip.

1. City of San Antonio: Resident Relocation Assistance Program (RRAP)

This is the city’s deposit program. It pays move-in costs for households that are moving because of housing instability or a recent hardship.

  • What it covers: rental and security deposits, application fees, utility deposits and reconnection fees, pet deposits (up to $500 per pet, $1,000 total), movers, and up to two weeks of temporary lodging tied to a confirmed move-in date.
  • How much: up to $3,000, or up to $7,000 for a mobile home. Households with older adults or people with disabilities can receive an extra $500.
  • What it does NOT cover: rent itself. The city says plainly that relocation help does not pay any portion of the rent — this program is for deposits and move-in costs.
  • Who qualifies: households earning up to 80% of the area median income (for 2026, $80,500 for a family of four); both the home you are leaving and the new home must be inside San Antonio city limits; only the person whose name is on the lease can apply; you must show housing instability or risk of homelessness in the last 12 months and a financial hardship in the last 12 months (a lost job, cut hours, a big medical bill, an unexpected car repair). Help is limited to once every 12 months, and the money is paid directly to the landlord or utility company.
  • How to apply: apply online on the city’s RRAP page. If you applied before, you can check your status online or call 210-207-6459.

2. SAMMinistries: Rapid Re-Housing

SAMMinistries’ Rapid Re-Housing program helps people who are homeless right now move into housing — including the deposit.

  • What it covers: help with the deposit, rent, and utilities for up to 3 months, plus 12 months of case management to help you stay housed.
  • Who qualifies: you must be homeless under the federal (HUD) definition — a family, a couple, or an individual — with income you can sustain within 60 days, and you must be willing to work with a case manager for 12 months.
  • Contact: 210-377-1616, or start at samm.org.
  • Veterans: SAMMinistries’ Veterans’ Housing Stability Program covers a rental security deposit and utility connection, plus up to 3 months of rent help, for veterans and surviving spouses at risk of homelessness. Email veteran@samm.org.
  • Different need? If you are housed but behind on rent with an eviction notice, that is SAMMinistries’ Homeless Prevention program instead — it helps with back rent and utilities, not deposits. Apply at samm.org/get-help.

3. Endeavors: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

Endeavors runs the federal SSVF program in San Antonio. SSVF’s temporary financial assistance — paid directly to the landlord or company — can cover security deposits, utility deposits, moving costs, rent, and utilities for qualifying veteran families.

  • Who qualifies: very low-income veteran families who are homeless, or who are in housing but at risk of losing it. A veteran must be part of the household.
  • Contact: 210-431-6466 (Endeavors, 6363 De Zavala Rd).

Help that is real — but not for deposits

These trusted names help with rent and bills, but do not count on them for a security deposit:

  • Catholic Charities: helps with rent and utility assistance by appointment — call 210-226-6178. Their published services do not include security deposits.
  • St. Vincent de Paul: neighborhood parish conferences offer rental assistance “when available,” along with food and utility help — it depends on your parish and the funds on hand. Find your conference at svdpsa.org/gethelp or call the council at 210-225-7837.
  • The Salvation Army: as of July 2022, it no longer offers utility, deposit, or rental assistance to the general public in San Antonio — its financial help is for veterans, and re-housing help comes only by referral. Do not make the trip expecting deposit help. General questions: 210-352-2020.
  • Behind on rent instead? Start with our guide to emergency rental assistance in San Antonio and the city’s housing office at 210-207-5910.

Before you apply anywhere

  • Ask the new landlord for the full move-in total in writing — deposit, fees, first month — so you can show the program exactly what is needed.
  • Keep proof of your hardship and income together (termination letter, pay stubs, medical bill). Every program above asks for it.
  • Apply to the deposit programs before your move-in date when you can — several pay the landlord or city-registered provider directly and need time to process.

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Program rules and funding change. Amounts and requirements on this page come from each organization’s own pages, checked October 2026 — confirm your details with the program when you apply.

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