Since the application fees themselves are costly and people can relate, try Merced County Community Action Agency's Enhanced Care Management program at 209-381-5260 if you are on Medi-Cal. Seems they specifically list deposit or application-fee options that may help. They also may provide help completing housing applications and even working with landlords as well as also serve people dealing with unstable housing.
Also contact the Housing Authority of Merced County at 209-722-3501. Their Project-Based Voucher and Public Housing waiting lists actually opened August 17 and it may still may be taking applications through September 16, 2026 so try it.
Since you may be homeless in a couple weeks, Merced Community Action's housing office is 209-725-8188. They help connect Merced County residents with housing and shelter, and maybe help you find landlords or properties that are options you can afford rather than you paying application fees all over Merced and Atwater.
There are some other local housing and deposit programs listed on our site too. See the NHPB page at [urlhttps://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/merced ... using.html]Merced rent and housing help[/url], which also has options specifically for disabled residents and mentions programs that may help with security deposits and application fees.
Viva Athena wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2026 4:51 am I live in Merced CA and am in need of finding housing. I am trying to put in applications in my area and Atwater CA... but can't afford all of the application fees. I'm disabled and at risk of being homeless within the next couple of weeks. I don't know where to go and haven't had to look for housing since 2013. Everything is different now, and meeting owners and realtors in person without the application fees has been impossible.
Any help I can get, I'd be so grateful for. Thank you for listening to my tale. I hope, beyond hope to hear from someone soon
Thank you for your time,
Bonnie