We’ve found WV rental assistance programs that may be able to help you pay your rent this month! If you need assistance with rent, be sure to check out our statewide and local lists for help.
Statewide WV Rental Assistance
There are some programs that provide assistance to all West Virginia residents, no matter where they live in the state. Those are our statewide resources. For local help, check the local list underneath the next subheading.
Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program
The Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program is West Virginia’s official COVID-19 rent relief program. This program can provide a substantial amount of assistance with your rent and utilities if you qualify.
This program can provide up to 18 months of assistance with your rent and utilities, including water, sewer, gas, electric, and home energy costs like propane. It also offers a $300 stipend for internet expenses. The program can also be used for relocation expenses, including security deposits, application fees, utility deposits, eviction costs and more!
In order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have an annual income that is 80% of the Area Median Income or less.
- At least one member of your household must have experienced a reduction in income or an increase of expenses due to the pandemic. This can be demonstrated by showing that you or someone in your household was eligible for unemployment, incurred significant costs, had a reduced income, or experienced another financial hardship either directly or indirectly caused by the pandemic.
- At least one member of your household must be at risk of homelessness or housing instability. This can be shown with a past-due rent notice, eviction notice, past-due utility notice, utility disconnect notice or other form.
This program has plenty of funding to assist. In August 2021, it was reported in the Mountain State Spotlight that West Virginia had only spent about $16 million of the $260 million the state was given for this program. If you need help, don’t hesitate to apply!
Catholic Charities West Virginia
Catholic Charities West Virginia offers a Basic Needs and Emergency Assistance Program. It is unclear exactly what the program offers because the “full program information” button on their website does not appear to be working. However, it does appear that they offer WV rental assistance.
Community Action Agencies
There are 16 different community action partnerships in West Virginia. Each one has slightly different programs.
- EnAct Community Action serves Kanawha, Boone, Fayette, Clay and Putnam. They offer WV rental assistance as well as food, car repair assistance, emergency home repairs, tuition, books, employment supplies, emergency transportation like bus passes and more.
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program does not provide emergency help with rent but it’s a great way to get long-term assistance with your rent. This program pays a portion of your rent every month but there is often a waitlist. Apply right away so that you can get help as soon as possible!
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army often provides rent and utility assistance to those in need. If you need WV rental assistance, it’s always a good idea to check with The Salvation Army chapter in your area.
VA Supportive Housing
Veterans may be able to receive assistance with their rent through the HUD-VASH partnership. This provides HUD housing vouchers and VA supportive services to low income veterans who qualify.
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 WV Rental Assistance
There are additional programs that only serve small geographic areas, such as specific regions, cities or counties. Some organizations may limit their assistance to people who live in certain zip codes or neighborhoods. For more information, you will need to contact each agency.
Kanawha County
Covenant House
The Covenant House offers an Emergency Assistance program for low and no-income individuals who are facing eviction or utility disconnection.
Heart & Hand Ministries
The Social Services program by Heart & Hand Ministries can help with rent, utilities, clothing vouchers, nonskid shoes or steel-toe boots required for employment, diapers, food and more! This agency serves residents of South Charleston, St. Albans, Tornado, Dunbar, Institute, Alum Creek and Davis Creek at their South Charleston office.
Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action (KISRA)
KISRA offers a financial assistance program that can provide WV rental assistance, as well as assistance with utilities, food and prescription medications. You must apply on their website.
Mountain Mission
Mountain Mission provides a robust financial assistance program for people in the Kanawha Valley. They can provide assistance with housing, utilities, food, clothing, furniture, hygiene supplies, toiletries, medical equipment like canes or wheelchairs, appliances, baby needs and more. Their housing services include help with rent, short-term hotel/motel assistance, basic repairs like hot water tanks and circuit breaker boxes, and disaster recovery.
Putnam County
Heart & Hand Ministries
The Social Services program by Heart & Hand Ministries can help with rent, utilities, clothing vouchers, nonskid shoes or steel-toe boots required for employment, diapers, food and more! This agency serves all of Punam County at thier Winfield United Methodist Church location.
Nicole Thelin
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.