Rental Assistance Programs
If you are struggling to pay rent, behind on payments, or facing a temporary financial hardship, the programs below may be able to help cover a portion of your rent, provide emergency assistance, or help prevent eviction.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher Program helps eligible low-income households pay a portion of their monthly rent through local Public Housing Authorities.
Apply Through Your Local Housing Authority:
https://www.hud.gov/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8
Find Your Local Housing Authority:
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts
Modest Needs Foundation
Modest Needs provides Self-Sufficiency Grants to individuals and families experiencing temporary financial hardship. Funds may be used for overdue rent, housing expenses, and other emergency needs to help prevent eviction.
Website:
https://www.modestneeds.org
Catholic Charities Rental Assistance Programs
Many Catholic Charities agencies throughout the United States provide emergency rental assistance, eviction prevention services, landlord mediation, and short-term financial assistance for rent. Assistance is typically available to households experiencing a temporary crisis.
Website:
https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
California Rental Assistance Programs:
https://catholiccharitiesca.org/service/rental-assistance/
The Salvation Army Rental Assistance
The Salvation Army offers emergency rent assistance programs through local offices across the country. Assistance may include one-time rent payments, eviction prevention support, and emergency financial aid for households facing temporary financial hardship. Funding availability varies by location.
Website:
https://www.salvationarmyusa.org
Find Local Services:
https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/plugins/gdosCenterSearch
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Local St. Vincent de Paul chapters often provide emergency rent assistance, eviction prevention support, and direct financial aid for qualifying families and individuals.
Website:
https://ssvpusa.org
Find Local Assistance:
https://ssvpusa.org/assistance-services
Family Promise
Family Promise works to prevent family homelessness through rental assistance, landlord mediation, case management, and housing stabilization services for families with children.
Website:
https://familypromise.org
Volunteers of America
Many Volunteers of America locations provide housing stabilization services, emergency rental assistance, and eviction prevention support programs.
Website:
https://www.voa.org
Lutheran Services in America
Many regional Lutheran Social Services organizations provide emergency rental assistance, eviction prevention programs, and housing support services.
Website:
https://www.lutheranservices.org
FindHelp Resource Directory
Search thousands of nonprofit organizations by ZIP Code offering rental assistance, eviction prevention grants, and housing support programs.
Website:
https://www.findhelp.org
Important Note
Many rental assistance programs are designed to help cover one or two months of rent when a household experiences a temporary financial crisis such as job loss, illness, reduced work hours, or unexpected expenses. Because funding is often limited, applicants should contact organizations as early as possible and be prepared to provide proof of income, a lease agreement, identification, and documentation of financial hardship.