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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
April 2022 announcement: This list is currently being developed. Links will become active as we complete the research for new areas. Please check back for updates.
William Darnell
Thursday 7th of April 2022
I can not find any help here in Tennessee. I live on soc. sec income and because of gas , food etc. I really could use help with my rent. Help me if you can. I an 73 and live by myself.
Isaac
Tuesday 12th of April 2022
Low Income Relief is an information service and does not provide cash or items directly. You will need to search our website for information about organizations that can help you meet those needs. Chat with Lira, she might be able to help! https://lowincomerelief.com/chat/
Najwan
Tuesday 15th of March 2022
I guess this program not available in Kentucky what I have to do please help me as soon as possible thank you.
Isaac
Thursday 31st of March 2022
Low Income Relief is an information service and does not provide cash or items directly. You will need to search our website for information about organizations that can help you meet those needs. Chat with Lira, she might be able to help! https://lowincomerelief.com/chat/
Stanley Woodward
Thursday 17th of February 2022
Hello,
I am looking for rent relief in california I live here and need some help paying rent can you find some things near california up in san diego? thank you
Isaac
Friday 18th of February 2022
Information on this should be in the article above. Chat with Lira, she might be able to help! https://lowincomerelief.com/chat/
Carol Starcevich
Thursday 27th of January 2022
I am 59 yes old have no money lost my job in November due to COVID-19 which lasted 3mosbefore that was out of work for 2yrs. Can't pay rent reapplied for snap no public transportation in Hobart Indiana was cleaning trailers that ended I have no one and nowhere to turn no children either
Isaac
Thursday 10th of February 2022
Low Income Relief is an information service and does not provide cash or items directly. You will need to search our website for information about organizations that can help you meet those needs. Chat with Lira, she might be able to help! https://lowincomerelief.com/chat/
Krystle Sherman
Monday 24th of January 2022
Hello I am on food stamps and Medicaid as well I have a 1 year old son and recently lost my roommate to covid I am not going to be able to come up with all of the rent for this month due to the loss of my roommate I do work full time but I cannot supplement the other half of our rent you live in the state of Georgia as I've gone through the list it appears Georgia was not on it is there anything you know of that would be able to help me
Isaac
Thursday 10th of February 2022
Information on this should be in the article above. Chat with Lira, she might be able to help! https://lowincomerelief.com/chat/