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Where to Get Help Paying Rent in Phoenix and Maricopa County
Renting in Phoenix or the surrounding Valley and struggling to pay rent? Where you start depends almost entirely on which city you live in — because Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, and other municipalities each run their own assistance programs, and the county handles everyone else. That matters before you make a single call, and this page is organized around organizations that may offer rental assistance by area.
What's here: a verified list of emergency rent programs, city-by-city community action offices, faith-based assistance, veterans housing programs, free legal help for tenants facing eviction, and Section 8 contacts for Maricopa County. Most programs have limited funds and eligibility requirements — calling before you're in crisis, rather than after a notice is filed, improves your chances to get help with a rent payment. You can also dial 211 for a broader referral list, but this page includes programs and contacts that don't always surface through that system.
City of Phoenix emergency rent assistance
City of Phoenix Human Services — Family Services Centers
The city's primary emergency assistance program for Phoenix residents. The three Family Services Centers offer emergency rental and utility assistance, eviction prevention, move-in assistance, and case management. Applications are taken by appointment; call the main intake line. Seniors 60 and older may call a separate line: 602-262-6631, Monday–Friday between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/humanservices.html.
- John F. Long Family Services Center: 3454 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85031
- Sunnyslope Family Services Center: 914 W. Hatcher Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85021
- Travis S. Williams Family Services Center: 4732 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85040
- Main intake (all locations): (602) 534-2433 | Online: https://cophsdfsc.communityos.org/.
Wildfire AZ
Formerly the Arizona Community Action Association, Wildfire partners with community and faith-based organizations throughout Maricopa County to connect individuals and families with rental assistance and other emergency resources. Functions as a coordinator and referral hub for Phoenix-area residents navigating the assistance system. Contact 340 E. Palm Lane, Suite 315, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | (602) 604-0640. Website: https://wildfireaz.org.
Neighborhood Ministries
A faith-based nonprofit serving low-income residents of west and central Phoenix. Provides eviction prevention assistance and utility help on a limited basis for qualifying families. Focus area is the Van Buren corridor and surrounding neighborhoods. Contact: 1918 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ 85009 | (602) 252-5225. Website: https://nmphx.com.
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church — Benevolence Fund
Provides emergency financial assistance grants to residents in crisis, which may cover rent, mortgage, or utility costs. Income and residency criteria apply. Call ahead to confirm fund availability. Contact: 1401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 | (602) 258-0831.
Foundation for Senior Living — Care by Design Program
Provides eviction prevention and utility assistance specifically for Phoenix seniors and those with disabilities. Income-based eligibility applies. Contact. 1201 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014 | (602) 285-0505 ext. 180
Maricopa County-wide and city-specific programs
Maricopa County Human Services Department — Community Resilience Division
The county's designated Community Action Agency, serving residents who live in Maricopa County but outside the cities of Phoenix, Glendale, and Mesa. Offers rental assistance (up to one month past-due rent and late fees), security deposit help, and utility assistance for income-qualifying households experiencing a documented financial hardship. Applications can be completed online through the county's Client Portal or submitted in person at a local CAP office. The county coordinates a network of Community Action Program (CAP) offices by city — see the list below for the office serving your area. General assistance line: (602) 506-0589. Online application portal: https://hsdclientportal.maricopa.gov/en-US/ Full CAP office directory: https://www.maricopa.gov/5682/Community-Action-Program-Offices
CAP offices by city/area (Maricopa County)
Residents should contact the office serving their city or town. Each office handles its own intake and eligibility screening.
- Avondale, Cashion, Goodyear, Litchfield Park — Avondale Resource Center, 995 E. Riley Drive, Avondale, AZ 85323 | (623) 333-2703
- Buckeye, Gila Bend, Tonopah, Palo Verde, Rainbow Valley — Buckeye CAP Office, 110 E. Irwin Ave., Buckeye, AZ 85326 | (623) 349-6619
- Chandler, Queen Creek, Sun Lakes — AZCEND, 345 S. California Street, Chandler, AZ 85225 | (480) 963-1423 | https://azcend.org
- El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Waddell, Wittmann — Surprise CAP, 12425 W. Bell Road Suite 124, Surprise, AZ 85378 | (623) 222-4673
- Fountain Hills, Tempe — Tempe Community Action Agency, 2146 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 422-8922 | https://tempeaction.org
- Gilbert — AZCEND Gilbert, 132 W. Bruce Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85233 | (480) 428-5446 | https://azcend.org
- Guadalupe — Guadalupe CAP, 9241 S. Avenida del Yaqui, Guadalupe, AZ 85283 | (480) 730-3093
- Peoria, Youngtown — AllThrive 365 Peoria, 8335 W. Jefferson Street, Peoria, AZ 85345 | (623) 979-3911 | https://www.peoriaaz.gov.
- Scottsdale, Paiute — Scottsdale CAP (Vista del Camino), 7700 E. Roosevelt Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85257 | (480) 312-2323
- Tolleson — Esther Angulo Community Center, 9055 W. Van Buren Street, Tolleson, AZ 85353 | (623) 936-2760
- Wickenburg, Anthem, Carefree, Cave Creek, New River, Morristown — AllThrive 365 Wickenburg, 466 W. Wickenburg Way, Wickenburg, AZ 85390 | (928) 684-7894
- Glendale residents — Served by the City of Glendale's own program, not the county CAP system.
City of Glendale Community Action Programs, 7677 W. Bethany Home Road, Building F, Glendale, AZ 85303 | (623) 930-2000
- Mesa residents — Served by MesaCAN through Turn a New Leaf. 635 E. Broadway Road, Mesa, AZ 85204 | (480) 833-9200 | https://turnanewleaf.org/services/financial-empowerment/mesacan/
Faith-based and nonprofit assistance (countywide)
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
One of the largest providers of direct rent and utility assistance in the Valley, delivered through a network of volunteer-run conferences based in Catholic parishes throughout Maricopa County — over 80 locations. Assistance is one-time and subject to available funding. Reach the diocesan council for a referral to the nearest conference, or dial 211 to be connected. Contact Diocesan Council: (602) 266-4673 | (602) 580-6948. 320 W. Watkins Road, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Website: https://www.stvincentdepaul.net.
Salvation Army — Phoenix/Maricopa County
Emergency rent and utility assistance subject to income limits and fund availability, generally once per year per household. Also provides transitional housing and social services. Multiple Valley locations; call ahead to confirm current rental assistance availability and eligibility.
- Phoenix (main): 2707 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008 | (602) 267-4122
- Phoenix South Mountain: 1351 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040 | (602) 276-7396
- Chandler: 61 E. Saragosa Street, Chandler, AZ 85225 | (480) 963-2041
- Tempe: 714 S. Myrtle Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 967-8649
Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) — Housing Counseling
A large Hispanic nonprofit providing housing counseling, affordable housing referrals, and case management for low-income households and immigrants throughout Maricopa County. Note: direct emergency rental funds are limited - often run out. Contact them for housing counseling, benefits navigation, and referrals to current funding sources. Contact. 1008 E. Buckeye Road, Suite 125, Phoenix, AZ 85034 | (602) 805-1666. Website: https://cplc.org.
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
Provides limited eviction prevention and utility assistance as part of its broader wraparound services for low-income families, refugees, and individuals with disabilities. Their I-HELP program supports rapid rehousing including first month's rent and moving costs for households transitioning out of homelessness. Contact 2502 E. University Drive, Suite 125, Phoenix, AZ 85034 | (480) 396-3795. Website: https://www.lss-sw.org.
Family Promise of Greater Phoenix
Serves families with children experiencing homelessness, including a homelessness prevention program providing rental and utility assistance for families at imminent risk before they reach the shelter stage. The organization also operates a 60-day emergency shelter program for families who cannot be prevented from losing housing. Contact. 7447 E. Earll Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | (480) 659-5227. Website: https://familypromiseaz.org.
Veterans housing assistance
Military Assistance Mission (MAM)
Provides emergency financial assistance — including help with rent, utilities, and other basic needs — to Arizona active duty military members and their families. Assistance is not for veterans generally; it is specifically for currently serving active duty, National Guard, and Reservists in Arizona. 17460 N. 25th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85023 | (602) 246-6429. Website: https://azmam.org.
Helping Hands for Freedom
Offers emergency rent, mortgage, and utility assistance for military families, veterans, and Gold Star families with at least one child under 18. Assistance is capped at once per year per household. Also assists with PTSD and combat-injury-related housing instability. 326 E. Coronado Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | (602) 845-1390. Website: https://www.helpinghandsforfreedom.org.
U.S.VETS Phoenix — Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
A federally funded program assisting veterans and their families who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness. Services include rental assistance, security deposit help, case management, and referrals to VA health and benefits resources. Also provides transitional and permanent housing for veterans. Contact intake team for current eligibility and appointments. (602) 644-2400. Website: https://usvets.org/locations/phoenix
Free legal help for renters facing eviction
Community Legal Services (CLS)
Arizona's main nonprofit law firm providing free civil legal aid to income-qualifying residents. Handles eviction defense, landlord-tenant disputes, housing discrimination, unsafe housing conditions, and related issues. Income limit is generally 125% of the federal poverty level; seniors may qualify at higher incomes. They also run the Tenant Eviction Assistance Project (TEAP). Website: https://clsaz.org.
- Phoenix office: 305 S. 2nd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003 | (602) 258-3434. Toll-free: (800) 850-9075.
- Mesa office: 1220 S. Alma School Road, Mesa, AZ 85210 | (480) 833-1442.
Maricopa County Legal Assistance for Renters
The county has a partnership with Community Legal Services to provide legal assistance and representation to Maricopa County tenants (outside Phoenix) facing eviction due to nonpayment of rent. Contact CLS at the number below or contact the county. (602) 385-8880 | https://www.maricopa.gov/5763/Legal-Assistance-for-Renters.
Community forum
Residents navigating rent assistance in Phoenix and Maricopa County can post questions, share experiences with local programs, and get peer input at the NHPB community forum. It is moderated and another resources - see the Maricopa County - Phoenix area rental assistance thread.
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