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!
Government Rent Relief Programs
The US government has created many different rent relief programs that can assist low income Americans.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government authorized an Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program disbursed money to the states, which were in charge of distributing that money to tenants and landlords who were struggling because of the financial impact of the pandemic.
This program is typically open to low income renters who meet income requirements and can prove that they were financially impacted by the pandemic. This impact may manifest as reduced hours, receiving unemployment benefits, or otherwise experiencing financial hardship on or after March 2020.
In some areas, this program will continue operating until 2026 or until funds run out. In order to learn more about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in your state, select your state from the alphabetical list at the end of this article.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
November 2021 announcement: This list is currently being developed. Links will become active as we complete the research for new areas. Please check back for updates.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
MIchigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Nicole Thelin
Have too much month at the end of your money? Me too - and that's how Low Income Relief got started. I have over 20 years of professional research and writing experience. Over the years, I've worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. My work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, eHow.com, Livestrong.com, Legal Beagle, The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah), The Chronicle (Centralia, WA) and others. At Low Income Relief, I use my professional research and reporting experience to help low income families save money and make ends meet. It's been my full-time job since 2016, and it's truly an honor to serve you.