Rent relief is available from countless organizations across the United States. If you’re looking for assistance with your housing costs, you’ve come to the right place.
In this list, we will specifically be addressing agencies and organizations that assist with rent across the United States. For local organizations, you’ll want to scroll to the end and select your state from the alphabetical list. As you can see, we’ve found hundreds of organizations around the country that can assist with your rent expenses!
If you’ve recently been hit with a rent increase, you should also check out this guide to determine if that rent increase is even legal.
Nationwide Rent Relief Programs
There are several organizations that assist with rent relief across the United States, although they may have strict eligibility criteria. Some of these organizations are organized into local chapters and services may vary between chapters, so not every local chapter may offer assistance with rent.
Section 8 Housing Vouchers
Section 8 Housing Vouchers are coordinated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. These vouchers can be used to pay a portion of your rent. However, this is not an emergency rent relief program and it takes a while to receive these benefits.
For more information on Section 8 vouchers in your state, choose your state from the list below.
Esusu Rent Relief Loans
If you are a renter in the United States who is experiencing financial hardship, you may be able to get an interest-free loan from Esusu Rent Relief Loans. They will provide up to three month’s worth of rent but the funds must be repaid within one year. This is a 0% interest loan and repayment begins 3-6 months after the funds are disbursed. You can apply online here.
The Salvation Army
Many branches of The Salvation Army offer assistance with rent but some do not. We’ve included them, as applicable, in the local directories below.
The Salvation Army is a great place to start when you’re looking for low income help, though. They typically offer homeless assistance, disaster assistance, holiday gift assistance and more.
Specialized Rent Relief Programs
Across America, there are many societies and organizations dedicated to helping people with specific challenges. Often, these are related to specific medical diagnoses or life circumstances. The following organizations offer assistance with rent relief, but you must meet their requirements in order to receive assistance.
Employment-Based Rent Relief Programs
Actors Fund
The Actors Fund offers financial assistance, social services, housing assistance, senior care programs, financial management classes and more. Their financial assistance programs can provide emergency help with rent and medical expenses for performers who have a minimum of five years of paid industry employment with earnings of at least $6,500 for three out of the last five years OR who have twenty years of industry paid employment with a minimum of ten years of earning at least $5,000 each year.
CORE: Children of Restaurant Employees
CORE supports restaurant employees who are supporting children. Restaurant employees include people who work in hotel food service, concessions, cafeterias and dining halls, catering, fine dining, casual dining, fast casual dining, quick service and food trucks.
This organization provides financial grants for rent, mortgage payments, utilities, medical supplies, therapy, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, travel costs, funeral expenses, groceries, clothing and other essentials that you may need when you have a qualifying special circumstance. A qualifying circumstance includes a significant medical diagnosis or injury (including COVID), accident, death of an immediate family member, loss of life or home due to natural disaster, or documented domestic violence.
Dramatists Guild Foundation
The Dramatists Guild Foundation offers a housing assistance grant program for professional dramatists, including playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists, who need help with housing expenses accrued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also have an emergency grant program.
Pinetop Assistance League for Elder Musicians
Musicians who are at least 50 years old,, have played professionally on stage, has played on professional albums and CDs, and have a household income of $30,000 or less may be able to receive assistance from Pinetop. They can assist with rent, utilities, medical expenses, transportation and even burial costs.
St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund
Financial assistance from St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund can be used for rent, utilities, vehicle payments, insurance and prescriptions when you are out of work or recovering from illness. In order to be eligible, you must hold a Class A commercial driver’s license, receive most of your income from driving a semi truck, and have a significant medical problem that led to financial difficulty in the last year. You can apply online here.
Medical-Based Rent Relief Programs
Glenn Garcelon Foundation Grant
This organization assists patients who are living with a primary brain tumor that are receiving treatment anywhere in the United States and its territories. You may be able to receive a grant of up to $1,000 if you are eligible.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
You must be diagnosed with blood cancer in order to receive assistance from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This organization can assist with co-pays, treatment-related travel, non-medical expenses and urgent needs. Through their Urgent Need program, eligible patients can receive a $500 grant toward their rent, mortgage, lodging, utilities, child care, food, transportation, car repair, car insurance, phone service, acute dental work and more.
Live Like Bella
Live Like Bella may be able to provide up to $400 toward rent for families of children who are receiving treatment for pediatric cancer. Details here.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
You must be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in order to receive assistance from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Although their website implies they provide financial assistance, they are very vague about the terms. You can call their organization at 1-800-344-4867 to speak to an MS Navigator during normal business hours. These Navigators can help you find assistance with housing (rent and mortgage and payments) as well as service dogs, transportation, computers, air conditioners and other resources.
The Samfund
The Samfund offers grants for young adult cancer survivors. The average grant is between $1,500 and $2,000. You can find more details on their website.
Womens Cancer Fund
The Womens Cancer Fund can award up to $250 per family per year to assist with utility and rent. They can also assist with groceries, per a recent news release.
Rent Relief Programs for Military & Veterans
Army Emergency Relief
Soldiers and their families may be able to receive rent relief from Army Emergency Relief (AER). This program provides zero-interest loans and grants to those who need assistance. They can help with rent, security deposits, food, vehicle costs, utilities, funeral expenses, basic furniture, appliance costs, child care seats, dental care, home repair, clothing, and so much more.
Helping Hands for Freedom
Military and wounded veteran families may be able to receive assistance from Helping Hands for Freedom’s Life Needs and Financial Assistance program. This fund can assist with rent, mortgage payments, insurance, car payments, utility bills, and some travel expenses. This program requires you to have at least one child age 18 or under currently living in the home.
Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society
This organization exclusively serves members of the Naval Services of the United States, as well as their eligible family members and survivors. If you qualify for assistance from this organization, they may be able to assist you with rent and mortgage payments, security deposits, utility deposits, car repairs and insurance deductibles, medical expenses, funeral expenses and more.
Operation First Response
Operation First Response provides limited financial assistance to military and veterans. They can provide assistance with rent payments and other critical needs.
They specifically serve those who are wounded, injured or critically ill. You must have a 50% or higher disability rating with the VA in order to receive assistance. You also must have served on active duty for at least six months.
If you would like to apply, you can begin the application by using the form on the Operation First Response website.
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront offers Critical Financial Assistance. In order to be eligible, you must be active duty military or a veteran who is deployed, wounded, ill or injured. If you qualify under that criteria, you may be able to receive assistance with auto payments, auto repair, child and dependent care, dental, food, essential home items, medical, moving and relocation assistance, rent payment assistance, mortgage assistance, travel and transportation, utilities, vision care, home repairs and more.
Semper Fi Fund
The Semper Fi fund can assist with rent payments, disability modifications, transportation assistance, vehicle modification, caregiver support and so much more. This organization provides financial assistance and support to post-9/11 veterans who are combat wounded, ill and injured.
Sentinels for Freedom
Through the Bridge for Education program, participating veterans can receive up to four years of assistance with their housing costs while they are pursuing educational goals. The overall purpose of the Bridge for Education is to help veterans find a fulfilling post-military life by pursuing education, career and family goals.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
This program helps veterans and their families maintain stable and secure housing. There are SSVF partner agencies all over the United States who may be able to help you if you are eligible.
USA Cares
USA Cares provides assistance for post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families. They can provide financial assistance and/or post-service job skills training to help you achieve long-term stability.
VFW Unmet Needs Grants
Veterans, service members and military families may be able to receive assistance from the VFW Unmet Needs Grant. This program is designed to help military and former-military households who experience unexpected financial difficulty as a result of deployment, military activity or injury. Grants of up to $1,500 are available and do not have to be repaid.
Local Rent Relief Programs
Many of the best resources we’ve found for rent relief can be found in your local communities. These services are limited to certain states, counties, cities and sometimes even zip codes. In order to find help in your area, please select your state from the list below.
Hello, I am being evicted. My am a single mom and I lost my job after I purchased a car from a car lot that blew up in 2 weeks. I have 2 children, and my son is supposed to graduate this year, and I have nowhere to go. We don’t even have a car we can sleep in. It’s so cold and it’s almost Christmas. We’re located in Perry County, Ohio. I’ve tried 211, I’ve tried OUCU, I’ve tried HUD, I’ve already received the money I could from Welfare. I am out of options. We live so far away from everywhere. I’m so worried for my kids.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this—no one should have to face something like this, especially with children and winter closing in. It’s heartbreaking, and you’ve already done so much by reaching out for help.
Since you’ve already contacted 211 and exhausted some local resources, we recommend checking these options as well:
*Your local Community Action Agency may have emergency shelter or rental assistance. You can find the Perry County agency here: https://hapcap.org/ (Hocking Athens Perry Community Action).
*St. Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army sometimes help with emergency housing or shelter, even in rural areas.
*You can also check our hardship grants list here: https://lowincomerelief.com/hardship-grants/ — some national programs may be able to offer help, even when local aid runs out.
We truly hope you’re able to find a safe place for your family—and we’re keeping you in our thoughts.
I am in dire need of rental assistance here in Texas.
This is the only month that I have been late on but I knew it was coming since January this is when I took out payday loans to cover the rent and my finances have been spiraling out of control since.
I am disable now almost 2 years.
I depended on my youngest daughter to help me when my husband passed in 2021 I then lost her in February 2023 she left behind her daughter and husband who is drsable his self. I started to recieve a widows pension and was deemed disable in January of 2023 I recieved my first check on march in which I moved us all into another part of the state. To get a fresh start. But I moved to where we know no one with no public transportation. Somehow we have made it this far. My oldest daughter was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and has sense applied for disability. But hasnt gotten a decion yet. What I m asking is for help to recieve liw income housing assistance. And or help to pay this months rent. I m scared that by this time next month we all will be homeless. My grand daughter just started school here but the house is over ran wuth roaches and I dont even have a ramp to be able to leave becausr I m I n a wheel chair. I also cant use the restroom easily because the door isnt wide enuf to get my chair thru. So please if you can point me in the right direction I would greatly appriciate it. I watch you all the time on you tube and know that maybe ypu might could help me. Thank you
Hi. If the resources above have not been useful, it may be worth contacting 211 to see if they know of anything else that might be available in your area. I hope they can help!
I’m disabled widow I can’t get around been to 211 find help.org Salvation Army and Christian ministries want let me park close to building want return calls have spaces can’t walk but a bit
Hi. Have you spoken to your local Area Agency on Aging? They may be able to assist.
https://lowincomerelief.com/area-agency-on-aging/
Please help find rent relief for lincolnton nc
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything local.
Hi I noticed Nc wasn’t available. I went to salvation Army in my brown Linconton Nc Lincoln county. There’s not a lot of parking near it so I pulled in fence ask me to I’ve explained I can’t walk even with Walker can’t stand long.in bent all the way over to knees I went by different days thinking could find spot no luck. Called said could not apply over phone. any way so couldn’t go in. Tried qll churches snd 211. And find help.con . Please help. I list nyvwhold family sand husband disabled. Low in cone
Hi. I’m so sorry that happened! It doesn’t seem fair at all. Have you tried 211? They may know of additional resources in your area.
There is no help in nj? 🙁
Hi. It’s been very difficult finding rent relief in that state. It might still be worth reaching out to the national resources at the top of the list.
I was thinking the same thing. What about NJ residents?
My daughter and I have been homeless since December of 2023. I can’t find any help in Texas and the salvation army’s are rude and offer nothing. I am disabled and have already applied with the MS foundation for a grant for a down payment but I haven’t heard anything back. I refused to believe that there is no place that with help a disabled woman with a minor child but it looks like it’s true. I’m scared and so sad that I have found nothing through my countless phone calls and emails. I’ve been on the list for Habitat for Humanity since the MS ramped up and heard nothing from them either. I have been on the section 8 list since November of 2023 also. We have no public housing open and no actual list to get it. Section 8 works like the lottery here not a homeless person served first.
I am running around a “rabbit hole” here… I’m homeless, senior citizen with a lit of medical problems including autoimmune diseases…3 of them… and can not find any help for rent for Medina, Ohio. There isn’t even a homeless shelter here. I’ve been to the senior center and social security, job and family services.. NOTHING! Thankfully my sister is letting me sleep on an air mattress in her living room.. but she has her own family and her own set of traumatic life changes going on as well. I need help now. Is there anything you can specifically give me advice or link that goes directly to agencies because I certainly can’t find them on here.
Hi. Have you looked into either of these?
https://lowincomerelief.com/senior-citizens-centers-low-income-help/
https://lowincomerelief.com/low-income-housing-for-seniors/
I live in tooele UT. I need help with rent please
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth checking with 211 to see if they know of anything else in your local area.
How come Arizona’s rent relief program is blacked out on this list? Do they not offer any assistance? I’m a 31 year now single women, that was kicked out of my home by an my abusive ex boyfriend. Who was also my boss so I unexpectedly lost my job & was forced to move with nothing. He kept my puppy too. That being said, I tried to get food stamps & health insurance thru the state but he refused to comply with DES requests for verifying my employment so I denied. I dont have transportation, & don’t live within walking distance to jobs, especially during this crazy heat. Can anyone help me with some resources for rent relief?
Hi. It’s been very difficult finding rent relief in that state. It might still be worth reaching out to the national resources at the top of the list.
Where is rent assistance in California ?
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth checking with 211 to see if they know of anything else in your local area.
Pennsylvania is not available on this page and I was just wondering if anyone knew of anything other than the ERAP program for emergency rental assistance? ERAP has taken forever and my landlord is now out of patience and I’ve been given the eviction notice. I had a lot of health issues and I was in and out of the hospital for months and I got behind in my rent amongst many other things and I’m so scared and I don’t know what to do at this point and I have 2 young daughters. If anyone knows of anything I could do I’d really appreciate it ! Thank you!
Homeless..going through tough times due to medical or health problems temporarily in a group home…no money for rent
Hi Dana. We know it’s incredibly hard! Here are some additional resources that may be worth looking into: https://lowincomerelief.com/?s=homeless
It would be nice if they would “spread out” the rent assistance so that everyone in need can qualify somewhere. It seems like most of them are geared towards Veterans.
I am in North Carolina. A few months ago, I spoke to someone at First Baptist Church in downtown Raleigh. They said, “Yes, we provide rental assistance”. I was told to go to their website from 12-3 on Sunday (strange hours). I did twice and I noticed they cut the connection off around 12:15 the second time and the first time before that. It seems like they don’t really want to help people, which is sad, especially when they have the means to.
Thank you all for your research and service for trying to find help for those in need!
@LaToria, nc want help
No one with anything
the past 2 months i have became homeless after surviving one of the local HUD developments here in western NC. i survived 2.5 years in a tragically flawed system where the apts. sent an inspector from raleigh, nc to inspect my apt and there wasn’t even working fire alarms in my unit. in fact he came back 3 times and each time it was something that i never had to begin with, fixtures on the lights & the original locks on the bedroom door. i was raped after being there for only three months and yes i changed the lock because the one provided was easy to breech. the most difficult part was the fact i just came out as a trans woman after living the first 40 years of my life a lie and wanting to die everyday up until i was able to say, f*** it! i deserve to be happy and even though everyone from my past turned their back on me i knew for once in my life that this was the beginning of my life, not the end. a week later i get the call i got an apt with the local county i had been living in the past 3 years. when they told me where i said there’s gotta be a mistake. my first day there the first lady in charge looked at me and said “your a pretty mfer, & they are gonna f*** with you hard.” handed me a ban list that was more pages than the handbook, a key and wished me luck with a smirk i will never ever forget. i honestly promised myself that no matter what i was going to be a light in this darkness i found myself in. thinking about that first week and hearing gunshots coming from the streets, watching my neighbor get in a fight with two other people and his eye being sliced up, fighting off a guy who tried to rob me at gun point, dealing with nonstop drug activity and realizing that i was put here to make an impact even though this place almost got the best of me. i was clean for 3 years before moving there and since i’ve been gone i’ve gotten myself back to the mindset of not needing to be numb in order to survive. ANYWAY i noticed u don’t have north carolina on the list of states and i totally get it. i could definitely provide you with tons of great things this beautiful place has to offer and also a lot of terrible programs that build people up to fail. for some reason it’s as if keeping people in a system that’s flawed makes it ok. i guess i just needed to start telling my story of the past two and half years. i’ve also saved people from overdose 162 times. why? because i stayed when everyone else robbed them and left them for dead. plus it got to the point where i was able to keep my cool in very uncool situations. thanks for listening and i hope that my story might be able to help someone else out. that’s really my only purpose in life, to help. happy holidays. journey ariel
Hi Michael. If the resources above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other programs in your area.
I need assistance urgently and I’m facing eviction
Hi. If the above resources are not helpful in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else.
I am 46 years old. I had Covid 2 years ago and since then my health has deteriorated. I can barely walk and am on a medical leave. My rent is due soon and can’t find help. I also need my electric and internet paid. I have no income right now and have been looking for online work, literally any way I can get some money to at least pay my bills. I haven’t left my apartment in months as I live upstairs and can’t walk down them. I live in Florida. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Nicole. It can be hard! If the resources above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else in your area.
Look up Dr Bryan Ardis
Hello Nicole,
When will Rent Relief Programs for California be updated? Kindly, this is the second time in about a week that I have had the blessing of seeing this article you wrote and no information for us struggling Californians.
I am on SSDI And I’m going to be out of a room because I owe over $4500 in back rent! I decided I was going to look for a job in my profession as a Nurse but being in the state of mind and am in it’s not a good time to stick my neck out i need rental help?
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful where you are, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.
Hi!
I live in Florida do you have anything for rental help or any type of financial support? I have an autoimmune disease and suffer everyday with it. I’m trying to find a work from home job but no luck yet. I don’t know how I am going to pay my rent this month coming up. I’m trying to get disability but that’s a long process unfortunately!
Please help!
Hi Ann. It can be tough in Florida! It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any programs available in your area.
im in sc i applied with sc stayplus and they closed on me ,now me and my family is being evictioned we have no where to go please do anyone n
know anything marion sc
Hi Bridgette. Here are some resources that may be helpful. I hope you find something!
https://lowincomerelief.com/low-income-housing-with-no-waiting-list/
https://lowincomerelief.com/south-carolina-rent-relief/
There are people on Facebook who are always requesting assistance for things. Is there a page or email I can direct them to
Hi Lydia. Yes!
Here is our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lowincomerelief
And our page: https://www.facebook.com/lowincomerelief
Hi Sylvia. If you contact your local Area Agency on Aging, they may be able to suggest something.
https://lowincomerelief.com/area-agency-on-aging/
Also, the Housing Authority may be helpful.
https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-apply-for-section-8-vouchers/
i need help with my rent
Hi Sanquita. You can try the resources listed above. I hope one helps!
Dear Sir or Ma’am,
The state of Washington above is grayed out. I’m currently finishing out my military career in the Washington State Army National Guard and my 20 year mark is going to be this April. I’m pretty much non-mission capable at this point because of my bad knees and I’m not sure if they would try to Medical me out if I tried to extend for another year. My ex-roommate had a relationship go sour and ended up packing up and moving to Florida which left me in my SUV as I could not cover rent by myself. My job went away and just before covid but I was lucky enough to get put on orders with the National Guard in response to the pandemic. I’m on unemployment but right now it’s only just over $400 a week. I’ve been trying to save money but between my vehicle being stolen on one occasion and later a window busted out and items grabbed from the inside as well as gas prices to try to heat the inside of the vehicle and the storage costs where all of my belongings reside it seems that I’m running in place. Now I’ve got a bad heater hose assembly. Do you have any kind of number to any local agency that might be able to help me locate a new place and move in? Perhaps something that isn’t as pricey as $1,300 for a studio before security and last month’s rent? In reading the local paper it said that local rents have only gone up 20 or 30% in the last 2 years. It seems to me that they’ve gone up about 50% since the onslaught of the pandemic. I’ve heard different theories about the increase such as the real estate owners trying to make up for lost income, but then again I don’t see increased wages to make up for anything during the span of covid. I’m not even going to get into food costs because I can’t even see the reason for it. Usually it’s Transportation costs, but does the increased gas prices justify double the price of a 2 litre of soda?
I appreciate your time,
Name appears below (Protocol?)
Hi Edward. It might still be worth contacting some of the national programs listed above.
Also, here’s more info for Washington:
https://lowincomerelief.com/spokane-housing-assistance/
https://lowincomerelief.com/emergency-housing-kent-wa/
https://lowincomerelief.com/need-help-paying-rent-in-tacoma-washington/
https://lowincomerelief.com/low-income-veterans-may-qualify-for-2-year-rent-subsidy/
https://lowincomerelief.com/rental-security-deposit-assistance/
Hello. So I am in a terrible bind right now fixing to get evicted. I am 2 months behind on rent and the 10th of January I will be 3 months behind. My fiance was in a motorcycle accident September 6th was on life support for 6 days had to have 4 brain surgerys and was in the hospital about a month and some days. I lost my job of 10 years I was the general manager about 2 years for a local business Sonic Drive In. I also had my license expire in the mean time and had no funds to get them back so I couldn’t get another job or any help. I have searched and searched for some rental relief and I cannot find any anywhere for me. The local Catholic Church thought I was trying to scam them for rent money to my landlord and refused to help me. I’ve asked churches for help around here as well and they tell me to ask my home church. I don’t have one so I don’t get help threw them. Is there anyone who can tell me where I can get some help before me and my family loose our home. We have nowhere to go and no funds to move somewhere else as well. Please and thank you.
Hi Carolyn. If you have already tried the resources listed above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest in your area.
I’m finding myself approved for programs for rent relief but unfortunately a landlord that won’t accept the assistance. Every program has not been successful at navigating marking an exception to this and it’s been awfully frustrating.
OHio, OHio, where forth are’th you OHIO…???
Oof. I’m so sorry to hear that, Judith! As I’ve been researching this, I’ve noticed that some areas have special funds for seniors. It’s usually part of an Aged, Blind, Disabled cash program. If you let me know what state you’re in, I’ll rush that research list and see if we can find something that can help.
Hey Holly! I’m so sorry to hear that. Where are you located? I can expedite the research list for your area if you let me know.