Rent assistance in Buffalo and Erie County.
Find information on the leading agencies in Buffalo New York that provide rent help to the low income, unemployed, and less fortunate. The programs administered cover the city of Buffalo, as well as the greater Erie County New York region. Find emergency rental assistance from charities or churches, government grants to pay security deposits, and even free motel vouchers for cold weather.
The entire western New York region has been hit hard from long term economic weakness, and unfortunately the number of people who need some form of rent or housing help has increased year after year. These organizations try to assist, and many partner with the federal government, the state of New York, HUD section 8 agencies, free lawyers and other local charities to offer emergency financial help for paying back rent or to stop an eviction..
Each program will have its own application process and criteria that need to be met in order to receive rent help. Some of the non-profit agencies and programs will also have limited funding. It is always best to apply for grant or loan based help early, while the organizations still have funding, and before an eviction notice has been served.
While the ultimate goal is to keep people in their homes or apartments so they do not become homeless, the fact is that there are currently homeless individuals and families in the city of Buffalo. Some some of the agencies may administer rehousing programs to help them find a new home, pay their security deposits, first months rent, or even pay for moving costs, storage costs and related expenses.
Get rental or security deposit assistance in Erie County New York.
Try calling or applying at one or more of these non-profit or government agencies. While funding is limited, they will try to address your need for rental assistance or low cost housing, or provide referrals if applicable. As there are many charities, non-profits, government rent and homeless prevention services as well as churches in the region that help with housing needs.
Belmont Housing Resources for WNY
Address - 1195 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14209-2196
Phone number - (716) 884-7791
City of North Tonawanda. as well as Erie County are served by the agency. The non-profit can also help clients find low income apartments in the town to live in, and process applications for utility or rental deposit assistance.
Crisis Service
They focus mostly on people with a mental illness or going through a crisis, with additional support for women or children facing domestic violence. Referrals to safe housing, counseling, emergency financial or rent help (along with safe housing) and more. There is also an after hours homeless prevention referral service. Dial 716-834-3131.
Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority - BMHA
The PHA is at 35 Tower St, Buffalo, New York 14215
(716) 855-6711
This is the main section 8 application site in the county. Section 8 helps pay rent, based on the applicant’s income. There are also family self-sufficiency services, emergency and priority vouchers without a waiting list and more. Or learn about rent subsidized (controlled) homes and apartments may be available.
CAO - Community Action Agency of Erie County, Buffalo, and Western NY
45 Jewett Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214. Dial 716-881-5150
An Emergency Assistance Department may have grants to help with rent, applications to LIHEAP for energy or heating bills, and other low income resources. Any financial aid is limited and combined with job training and other support services. Referrals may also be given to local eviction defense and emergency rental payment programs. More on Community Action housing resources in Erie County NY.
Buffalo City - Rental Assistance Corporation of Buffalo
Location - 470 Franklin Street, Buffalo New York 14202
Phone - (716) 882-0063
Low income, people facing eviction, and otherwise qualified Erie County residents can apply for help. Rental Assistance Corporation Of Buffalo is a not-for profit organization that helps city residents. The City of Buffalo also works with this non-profit, as well as the federal government, for the purpose of administering the Section 8 Existing Housing programs. More on New York section 8 housing.
Community Services for Every1
180 Oak Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. Call 716-883-8002
The poor, disabled, vulnerable and seniors (among others) can get help. Rental assistance, case management, Independent Living Skills, transportation and more. A wide range of social services are offered - information on rent help is but one.
Urban League - Foreclosure and Eviction Prevention Program
15 Genesee Street, Buffalo NY 14203
Call - (716) 250-2412 or (716) 250-2400
Both rent and free foreclosure prevention is administered. However funding is sporadic and limited. Get information on federal government and state of New York mortgage and rental assistance programs A major focus those is on rebuilding credit (which can also help future renters), budgeting, and employment.
Hispanics United of Buffalo
254 Virginia Street, Buffalo NY 14201
(716) 856-7110
This non-profit helps those across Erie County with housing, rent, and emergency situations. There is also immigrant housing assistance available.
Catholic Charities
Supports people of all religions in Erie County NY. Emergency financial aid, case management, transitional housing, and information on homeless shelters are offered. There is help for immigrants, Spanish speakers, and single moms, including information on rental assistance, safe affordable housing and more. There are multiple Catholic Charity churches.
- Another location is 525 Washington St, Buffalo, New York 14203. Dial (716) 856-4494
- Office location - 128 Wilson Street, Buffalo NY 14212 . Dial (716) 896-6388
Western New York Independent Living
Location is 3108 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214. Phone (716) 836-0822
The disabled, with a focus on people with mentally health issues, in Erie County can use the non-profit. They help client find affordable housing, apply for charity or government rent assistance grants or deposits, negotiate with landlords and offer other housing services.
Compass House
1451 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209. Dial 716-886-1351 for information.
They operate the ESG Homeless Prevention and Rehousing Prevention Program. Rent payment assistance, grants for moving costs or storage, furniture for the formerly homeless and more. ESG grants are allocated annually.
Gerard Place Preventive Services Program
2515 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215. Phone - 716-897-9948
Assistance programs range from transitional housing to limited, one off rent or utility bill help. The resource is known as Preventive Services Program. The charity may have grants for arrears for rent, security deposits and more.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal, also known as HOME
Location is 700 Main St., Buffalo, New York 14202
Call 716-854-1400
They advocate for equal access to housing, including for minorities, disabled, elderly and others. Learn about free government grant money, legal support, as well as emergency funds to pay first months rent or a security or utility deposit.
Erie County Department of Social Services - ECDSS
Address is 158 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 858-8000
Emergency, one time assistance for water bills, rent to stop an eviction, moving or storage costs, and foreclosure prevention is offered. The assistance is from short term cash aid. The government may issue forgivable loans in some cases for making a rent payment. They also assist with moving/storage expenses and security deposit guarantees (or payments) made directly to the landlord.
Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. - NHS
780 Fillmore Avenue, Buffalo NY 14212
Telephone number - (716) 852-3130
BFNHS, Inc. offers affordable 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments. BFNHS also provides a home repair program for low income residents within the Fillmore district of Buffalo, NY.
Salvation Army - Erie County
There are multiple locations of the Christian, faith based charity. Everything from free motel vouchers to limited utility or rent help, household items from a thrift store, cold weather shelters and case management is offered.
- 960 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14202, phone 716- 884-4798
- Tonawanda, 46 Broad Street, Tonawanda NY 14151, Dial - (716) 693-3110. The Salvation Army helps those in zip codes of 14150, 14120, 14072, 14228. Shelter, eviction prevention, deposit, and rental assistance all may be offered.
Housing Options Made Easy
75 Jamestown Street, Gowanda NY 14070
Phone number - (800) 421-1114
Serving: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Monroe, and Niagara Counties. A major focus is on housing, rent, and support for substance abusers.
Matt Urban HOPE Center
385 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo NY 14212
Phone - (716) 893-7222
This housing center helps those across the City of Buffalo. Erie County low income can get rent help.
Restoration Society
66 Englewood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214. Phone - 716-832-2141
they operate the Erie County Homeless Prevention Program as well as administer supportive housing.
HIV/AIDS Services
Local non-profits can help patients and their families impacted by HIV/AIDs only. Assistance is for paying rent, utilities, mortgages, or even security deposits. They also help people with HIV or AIDs locate safe, affordable as well as secure housing.
- American Red Cross of Erie County, 786 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14209. Call (716) 878-2394
- Rein, Jason T and Evergreen Health at 206 S Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201. Phone (716) 847-2441
- Evergreen Services is at 282 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. Call 716-847-2441. There is also landlord mediation and housing placement with a specialist. Or apply for past due rent help or long term financial resources.
Supportive Services for Veterans SSVF - The government grant program assists homeless and veterans facing eviction. Emergency rent help, counseling and funds for deposits are offered. Or get access to transitional housing or low income apartments in the Buffalo New York area. Clients can get help in applying for public benefits, such as section 8 rental vouchers as well. Call (716) 898-0110.
Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project of Buffalo. The lawyers offer free legal aid to seniors, low income families, and the disabled. Eviction defense, housing discrimination, civil law, and other matter are handled. Call (716) 847-0662.
Neighborhood Legal Services
237 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 847-0650
Another pro-bono law firm. The agency helps tenants who are facing eviction, that are behind on their rent and/or that are locked out of their apartments. Lawyers advise clients, for free, and help them get into public or subsidized housing. Landlord / tenant mediation and other programs are offered in Erie County.
Northtowns Office Belmont Housing Resources for WNY
33 Spruce Street, North Tonawanda NY 14120-6305
Phone number - (716) 213-2784
Programs are offered for the entire region. In other words, all qualified Erie County residents can get help from the non-profit.
Southtowns Office Belmont Housing Resources for WNY
Location - 174 Main Street, Hamburg NY 14075-4917
Phone - (716) 312-8075
Erie County residents can get help with housing costs, rent, and referrals.
Eviction Prevention Services are available in western New York and Erie County. Agencies partner together to provide grants for housing needs (including rent, deposits, or motel vouchers) along with support to the tenant. More on eviction and rehousing in Erie County.
T-TAP - Tonawanda Temporary Assistance Program
1195 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14209-2196
Dial - (716) 884-7791
Rental assistance for the Town of Tonawanda New York only.
Farmworker Training & Employment Services - PathStone Corporation
Address - 419 Central Avenue, Dunkirk NY 14048
Phone - (716) 366-9015
Covers all of Central and Western New York, including Buffalo and Erie County. Housing and rent assistance is offered, as well as other financial assistance programs. Some clients may receive a loan from the non-profit for their housing or rental needs.
Buffalo Housing - Homeless Outreach and StandUp Program
Mailing address only - 1170 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209
Call for help - 1.888.696.9211
Get referrals to emergency rental assistance, free government grant money, affordable housing, free furniture programs and more. The service provides details on charities, churches, or government programs that offer financial help, including for back rent or utilities and more. Additional services are administered for currently homeless residents and families.
|
