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20 Agencies that Offer Vermont Rental Assistance

20 Agencies that Offer Vermont Rental Assistance

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.

Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP)

The Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) is the official statewide Vermont Rental Assistance program for the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is designed to help relieve pressure for tenants and landlords who were impacted financially by the pandemic.

What does VERAP cover?

The VERAP program can assist with rent and utility costs incurred on or after April 1, 2020. Specifically, this program can cover:

  • Current rent
  • Past-due rent (arrears)
  • Utilities
  • Home energy costs
  • Other housing-related expenses

Utilities include separately-billed electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash removal and other energy costs (such as wood, pellets and fuel-oil).

You can receive up to 12 months of assistance through this program. The 12 months can be used to cover past-due or future rent.

How long is VERAP available?

VERAP will be available through September 30, 2022 or beyond, subject to funding.

Who qualifies for VERAP?

In order to be eligible for VERAP assistance, you must:

  • Pay rent for residential housing in Vermont
  • Meet income limits (80% or less of the area median income)
  • Be at risk for homelessness or housing instability
  • Have experienced a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak (unemployment, reduction in income, incurred significant costs, etc.)

If you have been served with an eviction notice, then your application for VERAP will be expedited.

How do I apply for VERAP?

Eligible residents can apply for this Vermont rental assistance program online using the official state portal.

You should be prepared to provide the following documentation:

  • Proof of rental arrangement (lease, rental agreement, or letter from landlord)
  • Proof of income (one month’s pay stubs, disability benefits or child support letters)
  • Eviction notice (if you have one)
  • Unemployment Compensation Benefits letter (if you have one)

If you cannot apply online, you can get application assistance through one of the state’s community partners. Each area has their own community partners, as listed below.

  • Addison County is served by NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, Charter House Coalition and Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO).
  • Bennington County is served by BROC Community Action and NeighborWorks of Western Vermont.
  • Caledonia County is served by Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NKEKCA) and Rural Edge.
  • Chittenden County is served by Champlain Housing Trust and CVOEO.
  • Essex County is served by NEKCA and Rural Edge.
  • Franklin County is served by Champlain Housing Trust, CVOEO and Samaritan House.
  • Grand Isle County is served by the same organizations as Franklin County.
  • Lamoille County is served by Capstone Community Action and Downstreet Housing & Community Development.
  • Orange County is served by Capstone Community Action and Downstreet Housing Community Development.
  • Orleans County is served by NEKCA and RuralEdge.
  • Rutland County is served by BROC Community Action and NeighborWorks of Western Vermont.
  • Washington County is served by Capstone Community Action, Downstreet Housing & Community Development, and Family Center of Washington County.
  • Windham County is served by Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) and Windham & Windsor Housing Trust.
  • Windsor County is served by SEVCA and Windham & Windsor Housing Trust.

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.

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.