Behind on Rent in Brooklyn? Here's Where to Actually Get Help
Brooklyn renters have a handful of real options — but they serve different situations, and what's available depends on how far behind you are, your income, and whether you have a lease or court papers. This page lists verified contacts across all of these — emergency rent, deposits, Section 8, and free eviction defense — specific to Brooklyn.
The primary resources include government programs through HRA, which can cover rent arrears for households facing eviction. Nonprofit organizations like RiseBoro and the Salvation Army offer emergency funds and case management. For tenants who've already received a court date, several free legal aid organizations operate specifically in Brooklyn and can often make a significant difference in the outcome.
Emergency rent assistance programs and eviction prevention
HRA Benefits Access Center — Brooklyn (One Shot Deal / Emergency Assistance)
Brooklyn residents facing eviction for unpaid rent can apply for an HRA emergency rent grant (often called a One Shot Deal) through the HRA Benefits Access Center. The grant covers back rent owed and is sent directly to the landlord. You'll need to show why you fell behind and that you can pay rent going forward. Applications can be submitted online through ACCESS HRA or in person at the Brooklyn BAC. Contact: 785 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238 | DSS OneNumber: (718) 557-1399. Online: access.nyc.gov. Website: http://nyc.gov/hra
RiseBoro Community Partnership — Homebase Homelessness Prevention
RiseBoro operates four Homebase sites across eight zip codes in Brooklyn, providing individualized case management, emergency rental assistance, eviction prevention, financial coaching, in-house legal staff, and CityFHEPS application support for households in their catchment areas who are facing housing instability. If you live within their service zip codes, Homebase is one of the strongest starting points in Brooklyn for tenants in crisis. Call to check whether your address falls within their service area. Contact: Main Bushwick office: 565 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206 | (718) 821-0254. Legal services line: (347) 295-3738. Website: https://riseboro.org/program/homebase-homelessness-prevention/
Brooklyn Community Housing and Services — Brooklyn Housing Assistance Center (BHAC)
BHAC provides crisis resolution services for low-income adults and families in Brooklyn who are at imminent risk of losing housing. Programs include financial assistance, case management, legal assistance, landlord mediation, and apartment search help. Eligibility requires demonstrating imminent risk of housing loss and meeting NYS OTDA income requirements. Contact: (718) 625-4545. Website: https://bchands.org/
Salvation Army — Brooklyn Locations
The Salvation Army provides limited emergency financial assistance for rent and housing costs as funding allows, along with case management. Brooklyn locations offering these services include: Bushwick Corps Community Center at 1151 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221 | (718) 455-4102; Brownsville at 280 Riverdale Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 | (718) 345-7050; Bay Ridge Center at 252 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209 | (718) 238-2991.
Homebase eviction prevention — Brooklyn locations
Homebase is NYC's city-funded homelessness prevention program providing emergency rental assistance, case management, landlord mediation, CityFHEPS application support, and legal services. Brooklyn Homebase sites serve specific zip codes — call ahead to confirm your address is covered.
- CAMBA — Bedford-Stuyvesant - Serves ZIP codes 11201, 11205, 11213, 11215, 11216, 11217, 11225, 11231, 11233, 11238. Contact: 1958 Fulton Street | (718) 408-5756. Website: camba.org
- CAMBA — Crown Heights - Serves ZIP codes 11201, 11205, 11213, 11215, 11216, 11217, 11225, 11231, 11233, 11238. Contact: 1117 Eastern Parkway | (718) 622-7323. Website: camba.org
- CAMBA — Flatbush - Serves ZIP codes 11204, 11209, 11210, 11214, 11218, 11219, 11220, 11223, 11224, 11226, 11228, 11229, 11230, 11232, 11235. Contact: 2244 Church Avenue | (718) 408-5766. Website: camba.org
- Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services — East Flatbush - Serves ZIP codes 11203, 11234, 11236. Contact: 1900A Ralph Avenue | (718) 514-8034. Website: cccsny.org
- Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services — East New York (two locations) - Serves ZIP codes 11207, 11208, 11239. Contacts: 3060 Fulton Street | (929) 234-3036 and 560 Livonia Avenue | (718) 408-7181. Website: cccsny.org
- RiseBoro Community Partnership — Bushwick - Serves ZIP codes 11206, 11211, 11221, 11222, 11237, 11249, 11251. Two locations: 535 Bushwick Avenue | (718) 366-4300 and 380 Grove Street, 1st Floor | (347) 295-3738. Website: riseboro.org
- RiseBoro Community Partnership — Brownsville - Serves ZIP code 11212. Two locations: 145 East 98th Street and 1875 Broadway, 1st Floor | (917) 819-3200. Website: riseboro.org
Section 8 and income-based housing options
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) — Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
NYCHA administers Section 8 vouchers citywide. The wait list is rarely opened (multiple year delays) and when it is open, it generally closes quickly due to demand. Monitor the NYCHA website for any future waitlist openings or changes in voucher issuance. The Brooklyn Customer Contact Center also handles in-person Section 8 inquiries. Contact: Brooklyn Customer Contact Center, 787 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11238 | (718) 218-1525. Website: http://nyc.gov/nycha
Veterans in Brooklyn — rental assistance
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Brooklyn veterans facing eviction or at risk of homelessness can access SSVF through citywide providers. To start, call (877) 737-0111 or email [email protected]. Services for the UnderServed (SUS) is one active NYC SSVF provider: (877) 583-5336. Website: https://department.va.gov/homeless/supportive-services-for-veteran-families/
HUD-VASH
Homeless veterans in Brooklyn can access Section 8 vouchers paired with VA case management through HUD-VASH. Contact the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System or call the National Call Center for Homeless 1-877-424-3838.
Free legal help for tenants in Brooklyn
The Legal Aid Society — Brooklyn Neighborhood Office
Provides free civil legal services to income-qualifying Brooklyn residents, including eviction defense, landlord-tenant disputes, habitability issues, discrimination, and public housing matters. If you have an upcoming housing court date, attending your court date will connect you to Right to Counsel services. Contact: 111 Livingston Street, 7th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (718) 722-3100. Website: https://legalaidnyc.org/
South Brooklyn Legal Services (Legal Services NYC)
Provides free legal representation for low-income Brooklyn residents in housing, family law, domestic violence, and other civil matters. Housing law and eviction defense are among their priority areas. Citywide intake hotline: (917) 661-4500. Contact: 105 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (718) 237-5500. Website: https://www.legalservicesnyc.org/
Build Up Justice NYC!
Provides free civil legal services to low-income Brooklyn residents, including tenant representation and eviction defense. Contracted by the city's Office of Civil Justice. Contact: (718) 487-2300. Website: https://buj.org/
Bedford-Stuyvesant Community Legal Services (Legal Services NYC)
Free legal services for low-income residents of Central Brooklyn, including housing law and eviction defense. Contact: 1360 Fulton Street, Suite 301, Brooklyn, NY 11216 | (718) 636-1155.
CAMBA Legal Services
Provides free civil legal services to income-qualifying Brooklyn residents including eviction defense, benefits access, and immigration-related housing matters. Contracted through the city's Office of Civil Justice. Contact: (718) 287-0010. Website: http://camba.org/program/legalservices
NYLAG (New York Legal Assistance Group) — Brooklyn
Provides free legal services including eviction defense and housing-related legal help for low-income Brooklyn residents. Contracted through the city's Office of Civil Justice. Contact: (929) 356-9582. Website: https://nylag.org/
RiseBoro LEAP Legal Services
RiseBoro also operates a dedicated legal services program (LEAP) providing tenant representation and housing legal help for Brooklyn residents. Particularly accessible for residents within their Homebase service areas. Contact: (347) 295-3738. Website: https://riseboro.org/program/legal-services-leap/
Brooklyn moderated community forum
Brooklyn residents can share experiences, ask questions, and find community-sourced local information at the NHPB Brooklyn forum thread — including where others have received help and what programs are currently accepting applications. Visit the Brooklyn rent assistance community forum.
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