Vermont rental assistance programs may be able to help you catch up on past-due rent and even utilities! If you’re struggling to pay rent in the state, then you’re in the right place. We’ve found rent relief in Burlington, Rutland, Essex Junction and beyond!
Statewide Vermont Rental Assistance Programs
There are some programs that can help you with rent expenses no matter where you are in the state.
Section 8 Housing Vouchers
Vermont has a Section 8 housing program that helps low income people afford safe and decent housing units. This program is purely preventative and cannot help you if you are behind on rent. You will likely have to wait on a waitlist for funds to become available. However, when you are finally participating in the program, you will receive help with your monthly rent costs while you are participating in the program.
The British Society
In order to receive help from The British Society, you must either be British (holding a passport of the United Kingdom or its dependencies) or a child of a British person who is residing in one of the six New England states. If you meet these eligibility requirements, then you may be able to receive one-time assistance with rent, airfare to the UK or car repairs.
Other Vermont Rental Assistance Programs
There are several other programs that provide rent relief to low income people in the state. These programs usually only serve specific groups of people who meet strict criteria.
Family Unification Program
The Family Unification Program provides rental assistance to low income families who are separated because they cannot afford stable housing. This program is only for families that have been separated or are experiencing a threat of separation due to a lack of adequate housing. This program is run by the Vermont State Housing Authority.
Jenna’s Promise
Jenna’s Promise offers financial assistance to Vermont residents who are in sober living or recovery residence facilities. If you live in one of these homes and need help with rent, this organization may be able to help.
In order to be eligible, you must meet these criteria:
- You must stay in the home, follow all house rules, stay sober and be a positive role model.
- You must be looking for employment and obtain employment soon.
- You must submit a budget.
- You must check in weekly to review your budget, wellness and job status.
Mainstream Housing
Disabled people who are not elderly may be able to receive rental assistance from this program. The Mainstream Housing program is designed to help disabled families rent affordable private housing. Unfortunately, it appears that seniors are not eligible for this assistance. This program is run by the Vermont State Housing Authority.
Reach Up Emergency Rental Assistance
The Department of Children and Families offers a special form of Vermont rental assistance for low income families that participate in their various Reach Up programs. This program is called Reach Up ERA.
In order to qualify for this, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must pay rent on a residential dwelling in Vermont.
- You must be enrolled in Reach Up, Reach First, Reach Ahead, Reach Up SSI or PSE.
- You must have a household income that is 80% of the Area Median Income.
- You must have at least one household member who experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19.
This program can provide up to 15 months of rental assistance for rent incurred on or after March 13, 2020. You can apply online or by contacting your Reach Up Case Manager.
Nationwide Rental Assistance Programs
There are some programs that provide assistance with rent all over the United States! For even more ways to get help with your rent, check this list!
Local Vermont Rental Assistance Programs
There are additional rental assistance programs in the state, but these typically only serve specific zip codes, cities or counties. They are not available to everyone across the state because they serve a limited geographical area.
Please skim the list below and look for your county and city to discover the programs available in your area.
Addison County
Addison Community Action (CVOEO)
The Community Action Housing Assistance Program provides information and referrals to affordable housing in the area. In some cases, they may be able to assist with security deposits and past-due rent.
Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects (HOPE)
HOPE offers many low income assistance programs. In addition to Vermont rental assistance, this organization may also be able to assist with food, cooking classes, budget counseling, urgent medical and dental needs, job-related assistance, homeless assistance, emergency hotel vouchers, laundry vouchers and more.
Bennington County
Greater Bennington Interfaith Community Services
This organization has an Emergency Needs Fund that can assist with costs like rent, mortgage payments, shelter, and utilities. These funds are limited to residents of these specific Southshire towns:
- Bennington
- North Bennington
- Glastenbury
- Pownal
- Readsboro
- Searsburg
- Shaftsbury
- Stamford
- Woodford
Caledonia County
Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA)
NEKCA offers several different types of housing assistance. They offer housing counseling, referrals and limited financial assistance programs. Depending on availability of funds, you may be able to get help with rent, past-due rent, security deposits and utilities.
Chittenden County
COTS Housing Resource Center
The COTS Housing Resource Center helps those who are homeless and at risk of homelessness. They offer a Preventative Financial Grant that can be used to help with rent, mortgage payments, utilities, utility deposits and security deposits.
In order to qualify for this Vermont rental assistance program, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a resident of Chittenden County.
- You must have a form of income (such as employment, state assistance, or disability benefits).
- You must have an income that exceeds your expenses.
- You must be living in housing that is affordable based on your income.
- Your landlord must be willing to continue with your rental agreement.
- You must be past-due on rent.
- You must not have received assistance from this organization in the past 18 months.
In order to apply for the grant, you must call Cots Housing Resource Center at (802) 861-0110 or (802) 864-7402 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available on weekdays between 10am and 4pm.
Chittenden Community Action (CVOEO)
The Community Action Housing Assistance Program provides information and referrals to affordable housing in the area. In some cases, they may be able to assist with security deposits and past-due rent.
Essex County
Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA)
NEKCA offers several different types of housing assistance. They offer housing counseling, referrals and limited financial assistance programs. Depending on availability of funds, you may be able to get help with rent, past-due rent, security deposits and utilities.
Franklin County
Franklin Grand Isle Community Action (CVOEO)
The Community Action Housing Assistance Program offers Vermont rental assistance. They provide information and referrals to affordable housing in the area. In some cases, they may be able to assist with security deposits and past-due rent.
Grand Isle County
Franklin Grand Isle Community Action (CVOEO)
The Community Action Housing Assistance Program provides information and referrals to affordable housing in the area. In some cases, they may be able to assist with security deposits and past-due rent.
Lamoille County
Capstone Community Action
This Community Action Agency offers housing counseling and transitional housing services. Their website indicates that they may also have limited funds available to assist with rent, security deposits and utilities depending on the status of their housing grants.
Orange County
Capstone Community Action
This Community Action Agency offers housing counseling and transitional housing services. Their website indicates that they may also have limited funds available to assist with rent, security deposits and utilities depending on the status of their housing grants.
Orleans County
Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA)
NEKCA offers several different types of Vermont rental assistance. They offer housing counseling, referrals and limited financial assistance programs. Depending on availability of funds, you may be able to get help with rent, past-due rent, security deposits and utilities.
Rutland County
Castleton Cares
Castleton Cares is an organization formed from local concerned individuals, churches and service organizations who want to help those in the area who are experiencing financial difficulty. The organization assist with food and may be able to provide limited financial assistance. They specifically serve Castleton, Bomoseen, Blissvile and Hydeville residents.
Homeless Prevention Center
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Rutland County, then Homeless Prevention Center may be able to assist you with rental assistance, finding an affordable apartment, helping you through the eviction process and more.
Washington County
Capstone Community Action
This Community Action Agency offers housing counseling and transitional housing services. Their website indicates that they may also have limited funds available to assist with rent, security deposits and utilities depending on the status of their housing grants.
Community Emergency Relief Volunteers (CERV)
This organization assist with clothing, food and more. According to some resource directories, they may also be able to assist with limited housing expenses, such as rent.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army in Barre, Vermont, may be able to assist with rent and utilities, as well as food, school supplies and Christmas gifts. They only offer financial assistance once per year and funds are limited.
Windham County
Battleboro Area Affordable Housing
If you have been unable to get financial assistance from other Vermont rental assistance programs, then you may be able to receive help from Battleboro Area Affordable Housing. Their website indicates that they provide short-term, non-traditional flexible assistance to help people stay in their homes.
Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA)
The SEVCA offers housing assistance to people in their service area. This assistance may include rent relief, as well as help with security deposits and move-in costs. Their agency may also be able to assist with housing search and placement, landlord-tenant mediation, and more.
Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development
The Winston Prouty Center administers the Family Supportive Housing (FSH) program. This program helps families with young children (0-6 years old) find and maintain safe and stable housing.
In order to be eligible for the FSH program, you must be a homeless family with young children. You must be staying in a local emergency shelter, domestic violence shelter, or state-funded motel. Some households may be accepted if they are at-risk of homelessness and meet other guidelines. Of course, the parents must agree to participate in the program, engage with the offered services, set goals and work toward them in order to receive assistance.
Windsor County
Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA)
The SEVCA offers housing assistance to people in their service area. This assistance may include rent relief, as well as help with security deposits and move-in costs. Their agency may also be able to assist with housing search and placement, landlord-tenant mediation, and more.
Springfield Supported Housing
Springfield Supported Housing does not have a very descriptive website. However, many resource directories state that this agency offers Vermont rental assistance. Specifically, they help people transition from homelessness to stable housing.