Programs providing rental assistance
State and local organizations are a good place to start when you are looking for help paying your rent. You can search the internet for rental assistance in your town or city, your county, and your state or your Tribal area. You can ask at local government offices like your town hall or representative’s office, and you can visit organizations like your local library or cultural center.
Below are some additional ideas you might consider.
Contact 211
If you need help finding options to pay your rent or utility bills so you can stay in your home, 211 can help you identify available resources. 211 is an external website not reviewed, maintained, or endorsed by the Bureau.
Call 211 from a cell phone or landline to speak to a local specialist today, or search their website for rental help resources near you .
Help with utility bills
Get year-round help with utility bills by contacting your local Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) office or calling the National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline at (866)-674-6327.
Rental housing counseling
Housing counselors can help you find resources in your area and make a plan. Some HUD-approved housing counseling agencies offer low- or no-cost rental housing counseling. Not every housing counselor offers rental housing counseling, so once you’ve found counseling agencies in your area, review the services they offer to make sure that “rental” appears on the list.
If you’d like help from a local expert who offers rental housing counseling, call 800-569-4287 or find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency online.
Subsidized housing and housing choice vouchers
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers programs to help pay rent.
- In subsidized housing, the government pays apartment owners to offer reduced rents to tenants with low incomes. To apply for subsidized housing, search for a participating subsidized housing community using the HUD map .
- Housing choice vouchers, also known as Section 8, can pay for all or part of the rent of privately owned housing. The vouchers can be used by families with low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities. You can use them for privately owned single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Find and contact your local public housing agency to learn more about your eligibility for a housing choice voucher.
Know your legal rights as a renter
Your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
When you owe money for rent or utilities and someone else is trying to collect the money, that person could be a debt collector. If a lawyer is representing your landlord, or a collection agency is trying to collect the back rent or utilities you owe, the lawyer or company may be considered a debt collector under federal law.
Federal law says that debt collectors can’t use unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices to try and collect a debt. This means if a debt collector harasses you or makes false or misleading statements to collect rental debt, they may be breaking federal law.
If you believe that a debt collector is using an unfair, deceptive, or abusive practice when collecting a debt, you can submit a complaint or call (855) 411-2372.
Errors on your tenant screening reports shouldn’t keep you from finding a new home
Negative rental information, like records of eviction filings or rental payments in debt collection that appear on your credit report, can have a huge impact on your ability to find rental housing. Many landlords use a tenant screening report to help them decide whether to rent to you, and how much to charge you for a security deposit.
Find out how to check for and dispute errors on your tenant screening report
Legal help
If your landlord is threatening to evict you, or you need help understanding your rights, talk to a lawyer. You may qualify for free legal aid, based on your income.
Contact your local bar association or legal aid
FAQs
For more information, click here or submit your questions on how to apply for rental assistance to [email protected]. You may also call the Maryland Emergency Rental Assistance Call Center at 877-546-5595 Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Can I get help paying my rent in NYC? ›
Rental Arrears Grants for Single Adults and Families
Grants are available for Public Assistance recipients and for those people ineligible for Public Assistance. Families and single adults are eligible. Visit 311 Online to contact the HRA Job Center in your area and apply for a rental arrears grant.
Who can help me pay my rent in GA? ›
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
This program provides relief to individuals, families, and landlords whose finances have been negatively impacted since March 13, 2020, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds can be used for rental and utility payments. Payments are made direc ...
Can I get help paying my rent in Wisconsin? ›
Wisconsin has a variety of rental assistance programs that are administered by the state of Wisconsin, local governments, and local community organizations. In general, these programs pay to a landlord a portion of a tenant's outstanding rent if the tenant is unable to pay their rent.
How many months of rental assistance in Arizona can you have? ›
rental assistance for those in need
Rental subsidy can be provided for up to 24 months, helping a household to achieve financial stability and avoid further challenges in regard to housing. Assistance is intended to be a temporary solution that allows a tenant to build savings and better manage their personal finances.
How many months behind on rent before eviction in Maryland? ›
2. Timeline
| Reason for Eviction | Timeline |
|---|
| Failure to Pay Rent | 4 days |
| Lease-Related (Violation, Hold-over, Non-Renewal) | 10 days |
Jun 13, 2024
Maryland hardship relief extends a helping hand to residents facing temporary financial obstacles.
How do I get a rent voucher in NYC? ›
Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
To apply for either type of help, visit your local Public Housing Agency (PHA). Some PHAs have long waiting lists, so you may want to apply at more than one PHA. Your PHA can also give you a list of locations at which your voucher can be used.
How much does public assistance pay for rent in NYC? ›
Under the HRA HOME TBRA program, households will generally pay 30% of adjusted income toward rent for an approved apartment and the HOME TBRA subsidy covers the rest. “Adjusted income” means a household's income after deductions that are allowed under the program.
Is NY Erap still open? ›
October 1, 2023 Important Update for ERAP Applicants
New York State ERAP applications stopped being accepted after January 20, 2023, at 9:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Individuals will not be able to submit applications, or complete applications that have been started but not submitted, after 9:00pm on January 20, 2023.
As of 2023 the Georgia Rental Assistance Program is no longer accepting new applications. The following information relates to an assistance program that was previously available for a period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What benefits do homeless people get in GA? ›
The Georgia GA/RYSE program can provide rental assistance for up to 3 months, utility and rental deposits, food services, and coaching assistance with an approved living plan. Emergency assistance is provided on a temporary basis.
How do you stop eviction in Georgia? ›
Talk to Your Landlord
You may be able to come to an agreement without going to court. An eviction will cost both of you money (as well as time), and your landlord may be willing to stop the eviction if you agree to certain terms, such as paying rent you owe or stopping behavior that violates the lease.
Do local churches help with rent? ›
Some may offer direct financial assistance, while others may provide resources like food pantries or job training programs. Many churches also have programs specifically for rent or utility assistance. If you're not sure where to start, try contacting your local church or pastor first.
What is section 42 in Wisconsin? ›
What is Section 42? Some of our apartment complexes are considered Section 42 properties. This means that these locations are committed to offering apartments at affordable rates that comply with the guidelines established by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and the State of Wisconsin.
What is the emergency cash program in Wisconsin? ›
Emergency Assistance (EA) is a one-time payment that can help low-income eligible individuals with minor children that are homeless or have an eviction or foreclosure notice or who have experienced a flood, fire, or other natural disaster, or energy crisis.
How long can you go without paying rent in Arizona? ›
Non-Payment of Rent. If rent is not paid in 5 days. The landlord must give the tenant written notice that rent is unpaid, and that the rental agreement will terminate if rent is not paid in 5 days. (ARS § 33-1368(B)).
What is the emergency cash program in Arizona? ›
The Arizona Emergency Cash Assistance program provides much-needed financial support to families and single mothers who are struggling to make ends meet. This program aims to alleviate the burden of low-income households by providing them with temporary cash assistance during times of crisis or emergency.
How do I get emergency housing assistance in Arizona? ›
Applicants who are unable to apply online or through a Community Navigator, and require an accommodation, may apply by phone at 1 (833) 912-0878 or by mail using a paper application: Arizona Rental Assistance Application - English (ARA-1000A) Arizona Rental Assistance Application (Large Print) - English (ARA-1000A-LP)
How can I stop an eviction in MD? ›
You may stop the eviction by exercising your right of redemption - this means paying your landlord the judgment amount listed on the Warrant of Restitution. The amount on the Warrant will include the rent the judge decided was due, plus court costs.
LifeStyles provides a continuum of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing services for Southern Maryland residents.
Does Maryland have rent control? ›
In Maryland, while there is no statewide rent control, landlords do not have free rein to increase rent by any amount they choose. Rent increases are subject to certain restrictions detailed in local jurisdictions.
What is the New Futures subsidy program in Maryland? ›
The New Futures Bridge Subsidy program is a Victims of Crime Act funded program, led by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Services that provides long term rental support to survivors who need up to a year of support to become stable again after an IPV incident.
