Housing help for renters, homeowners and the homeless.
Tenants or homeowners that may be struggling or facing a hardship rely on housing assistance programs when they face eviction, foreclosure, or a loss of shelter. These programs exist at the federal, state, and local levels, and they support people who rent, own a home, or are experiencing homelessness. A list of resources, with links to more localized programs with contact information, for struggling tenants, the homeless as well as homeowners are below.
Needhelppayingbills.com users will often face short budgets, unstable income, or unexpected emergencies. The programs below reflect the full range of help that is typically, no matter the need. The goal of each resource is to give low-income households a safe, affordable home while connecting them to long-term stability.
Thousands of local charities, churches, and community development agencies offer grant money, temporary housing, legal support, and placement into affordable apartments. Each organization uses its own eligibility rules, so case managers or intake workers help applicants understand what is available and how to qualify. When local programs are full, agencies provide referrals to statewide or national assistance resources. All these details, and more, are below.
Housing assistance for renters
Immediate rental payment help is usually available only to households experiencing a short-term crisis and who can afford future rent once the emergency passes. This type of structure, in requiring some form of future stability, is used by community action agencies, county human-service departments, and local charities to prevent eviction and avoid long-term dependency. But no matter the applicant's need or background, there are often financial resources available, including places that offer help with rent near you.
Renters with an eviction notice can get help. If a household has already received a pay-or-vacate notice, the priority becomes stabilizing the situation before eviction takes effect. While there are some state and local eviction prevention programs, often when a notice is issued the options are more limited. Case managers assess income, lease terms, and the cause of the crisis to determine whether one-time rental assistance or utility support is appropriate.
- Eviction prevention services also include free legal aid support as lawyers can provide a help with wide variety of housing issues. Tenants threatened with removal can receive free consultations from pro-bono lawyers, local legal clinics or even state law associations. Attorneys help challenge illegal notices, discrimination, and improper rent increases. Seniors, regardless of age, can also receive housing-related legal advice if their income meets the nonprofit’s guidelines with more details here on where to find a free lawyer.
- When an eviction is due to “non-financial issues”, other legal protections are in place. There are tenant protections for discrimination, noise disturbance, illegal rent increases, and more details on the HUD Exchange portal.
HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program remains the largest national rental subsidy and in fact in provides long term support too. Tenants contribute a portion of their income toward rent and utilities, and vouchers cover the remaining cost, as long as the unit meets federal standards. The HUD list of public housing authorities at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts administer these subsidies, offer wait-list information, and manage income-based apartments.
- Many locations also operate family self-sufficiency services that help tenants increase income, repair credit, or complete training programs. As there are often other conditions are usually set around budgeting, case management, and more. However section 8 HUD vouchers are an always a possibility for families with an income around poverty levels. Get details on regional agencies to apply at for housing choice vouchers from Section 8.
When the eviction is caused by unpaid utilities, tenants may also receive emergency utility grants through state-run energy programs or charitable networks. A a number of local and national programs work to limit homelessness that is caused by a lack of electricity/heat and financial assistance for housing includes funds or payment plans from local community utility assistance programs.
Single parents, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities can access tailored rental assistance programs. These groups receive priority for income-restricted housing programs, whether it is placement into apartments or rapid-rehousing funds due to their heightened vulnerability.
- Single parent families can get help with housing. It is often very difficult for those tenants, in particular single moms, to pay for the costs of raising a kid. The cost of housing, child care, food, and other bills (when combined with rent) can lead many to struggle. There are both non-profits and government housing programs that provide single mom parents with rental assistance.
- Government housing, assisted living, and financial resources can help the disabled. There is assistance for people with a mental and/or physical disability. If a child or senior is impacted, then their parents or caregiver can apply for help. These individuals are often given priority when it comes to housing relief or rent subsidies, and find housing assistance for the disabled.
- Low income senior subsidized housing programs are available. There are homes for retirees, senior citizens and older Americans. The housing is rent subsidized, may offer medical care and support such as free transportation, utility bill help to senior citizens and other benefits. Find low income elderly housing.
 Many counties operate “rent-ready” programs that address barriers such as evictions on record, credit problems, or lack of deposits. They can even help remove evictions in some cases, if the criteria are hit. Find suggestions on how to remove eviction from rental history.
- In addition to “free” units, housing for people with a low-income, with no wait list, is available as well. Granted the units are harder to find, and tend to give priority to say veterans, single moms or the disabled, but they do allow families to move into the property immediately. Both national charities as well as state or federal government operate the programs and locate affordable housing to move into with no wait list.
Deposit assistance, moving support, and help transitioning from homelessness into permanent housing are also available in many states. Agencies offer one-time grants and work closely with landlords that accept low-income tenants. Both charities and the government will help arrange financial help for an apartment.
- Some local public housing authorities waive the rent for housing - so there is zero cost. It allow extremely low-income families, seniors, or disabled tenants to access units with zero rent through deep subsidy structures established by HUD. Find more details on how to live rent free in government backed housing.
Housing resources are available for victims of domestic violence. Charities, HUD as well as public housing agencies have information on the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program. The federal government provides emergency grants or funds to states so that individuals who have been abused, including single women and parents (and children if applicable), can receive housing assistance. Domestic violence housing can support anyone who is facing this serious issue, whether women, children, or immigrants.
Renters trying to buy a home can get assistance from the government. The Housing and Urban Development Agency (HUD) as well as banks, lenders and non-profit agencies provide loans or grants to help people get an affordable mortgage and have the money for a down payments. Locate government assistance programs for home buyers..
Programs for homeowners
Although most housing assistance, emergency funding, focuses on renters, homeowners also receive help when facing foreclosure or unexpected hardship. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies provide free, confidential advice on mortgage delinquency, forbearance, and loss-mitigation plans. The list of certified agencies is at https://www.hud.gov/counseling. Counseling is available in every state and can help homeowners understand how to negotiate with lenders before payments are missed as there are many options available, and learn more about services HUD counseling agency provides.
Legal aid programs also protect homeowners during foreclosure proceedings. Attorneys funded by the Legal Services Corporation or local governments help challenge improper actions by lenders, explain state foreclosure timelines, and pursue mediation when available. Many state governments administer their own stabilization funds, property-tax relief programs, and principal-reduction initiatives, although the exact structure varies widely. Updated details for each state are linked from the Needhelppayingbills.com page on how to stop a foreclosure.
Struggling property owners have access to many other mortgage relief programs from their state, HUD and other sources. It is always critical to ask for help with housing (mortgage, taxes, etc.) prior to missing a payment. It is more likely to get help in averting a foreclosure as well as other housing assistance when starting early. The type of assistance provided will vary greatly and can even change from year to year and learn more on all the various mortgage assistance programs.
Homeowners struggling with utilities or property maintenance may also qualify for energy-assistance programs, weatherization support, or emergency home-repair grants. Seniors and disabled homeowners often receive additional priority for repairs that prevent code violations or unsafe living conditions. Many of these programs to help a homeowner are operated by community action organizations and find more details on community action by state.
Housing assistance for the homeless
People who are already un-housed rely on a network of shelters, transitional housing programs, and rapid-rehousing services. Shelters run by local nonprofits, churches, and community action agencies provide short-term beds and basic necessities. Many shelters include meals, health screenings, case management, and employment support. Lists of local shelters are updated throughout the Needhelppayingbills.com state directories of local shelters.
- As capacity and the temporary housing fluctuates or is filled, some counties provide motel or hotel vouchers during severe weather, emergencies, or when no shelter beds are available. These vouchers are generally temporary and issued only in critical situations.
Transitional housing programs offer longer stays than shelters and focus on helping clients regain stability. Case managers help participants secure identification, enroll in public benefits, receive medical or behavioral health treatment, or find employment. Most of these centers are run by local charity organizations. For short term housing support, this is where transitional housing can be used.
Rapid-rehousing programs funded through programs such as HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grants, Housing First and Continuum of Care initiatives help families move directly into permanent housing. These services may cover deposits, short-term rent, and supportive case management. Learn more about housing assistance for homeless.
- Security deposit assistance, often combined with Housing First programs, used in many cities, place clients into permanent housing without pre-conditions so that stability can begin immediately. Local details for these programs vary and can be found through public housing authorities and community action agencies as well as details on the main NHPB page of where to get help for paying security deposits.
Conclusion
Case managers or volunteers are available at each of the agencies. They can show families how to apply for help with housing and they go over the application criteria. If there is not a resource available in the local community, they will also try to provide referrals as there are a number of national resources that may be able to assist. Each one of the main housing programs available is listed above with additional details, or find housing assistance near you.
Always note that many programs prioritize households with children, seniors, immigrants, and people with disabilities due to their higher risk of homelessness. Others focus on people with a recent financial shock such as job loss, illness, divorce, or domestic violence. But no matter your background, some type of housing assistance may be possible.
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