Rent Assistance in Syracuse and Onondaga County — Who to Call and Where to Start
Several organizations in Syracuse and Onondaga County offer emergency rent assistance, security deposit help, and eviction prevention funds — and they serve different situations. This page covers verified contacts for all of these.
Catholic Charities of Onondaga County is one of the most active direct providers, covering first month's rent, last month's rent, and security deposits as well as short-term eviction assistance. The Salvation Army and Spanish Action League also run active funds. The Onondaga County Department of Social Services Temporary Assistance program handles emergency rent for very low-income households.
For Section 8 income based housing, the Syracuse Housing Authority administers vouchers for the city and county, though the waiting list opens infrequently. Two strong legal aid organizations cover eviction defense: Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York and Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, which also publishes a regularly updated list of who can help pay rent in the area.
Emergency rent and housing assistance - Onondaga County organizations that may provide help
Catholic Charities of Onondaga County
Catholic Charities is one of the primary emergency rental assistance providers in Syracuse, serving all Onondaga County residents regardless of faith. Their Crisis Response team provides direct financial assistance for eviction prevention, first month's rent, last month's rent, and security deposits on a case-by-case basis, along with referrals and case management for households at risk of homelessness.
Walk-ins are accepted at the Onondaga Street location (call ahead as caseworkers are frequently out in the field). Catholic Charities also operates an SSVF veterans housing assistance program — see the veterans section below. Contact information is Main crisis response: 262 E. Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 and Emergency assistance line: (315) 378-4054. The main office is at 1654 W. Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 | (315) 424-1800. Website: https://ccoc.us/help/
Salvation Army — Syracuse Area Services
The Salvation Army provides limited emergency financial assistance for rent, security deposits, and first month's rent as funding allows, for individuals and families facing eviction or housing crisis in Onondaga County. Assistance is subject to availability and a case manager assessment. Call ahead to confirm current availability. Contact 677 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 | (315) 479-3626. Website: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/neny/syracuse/
Spanish Action League (La Liga) of Onondaga County
Provides housing support services and financial assistance — including loans for rental expenses — to residents of Onondaga County, with a focus on Spanish-speaking and immigrant households. Also offers help with housing discrimination, eviction prevention counseling, and legal referrals for tenants. Contact: 700 Oswego Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 | (315) 475-6153. Website: https://laligacny.org/
Onondaga County Department of Social Services (DSS) — Temporary Assistance
The county's Temporary Assistance (TA) program provides emergency financial help for very low-income households facing eviction, including back rent payments to stop eviction, security deposits for new apartments, and moving allowances. This is a government program with income-based eligibility — lower limits than most nonprofit programs. Apply in person with proof of income at the DSS office. Contact: 421 Montgomery Street, 2nd Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202 | (315) 435-2700. Website: https://www.ongov.net/dss/temporaryAssistance.html
Onondaga County Community Action and Helpline
Provides referrals to rent and mortgage assistance programs, LIHEAP energy grants, budgeting help, and other county resources. Call the helpline number for information on what assistance programs are currently funded and accepting applications. Contact: (844) 245-1922
Assistance for specific populations - rent help focused on disabled or medical conditions
ACCESS CNY — Independent Housing Program (mental illness only)
ACCESS CNY provides supported housing and rent assistance specifically for adults with a mental health diagnosis in Onondaga County. Through their HUD-partnered Independent Housing Program, qualifying individuals can receive rent subsidies, security deposit help, and household support. This is not a general rent assistance program — eligibility requires documentation of a mental health diagnosis and referral through the county's SPOA system.
Contact: (315) 218-0821 or (315) 478-4151. Website: https://www.accesscny.org/services/mental-health-housing-services-adults/
Liberty Resources — HIV/AIDS Housing Program
Provides long-term rental assistance, security deposit help, housing retention services, and case management exclusively for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Onondaga County. Also administers the MESA Commons permanent housing complex for households that are homeless or housing-vulnerable. Contact: 1045 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203 | (315) 425-1004. HIV/AIDS Housing Retention Program: (315) 475-1544 (24/7). Website: https://www.liberty-resources.org/permanent-housing-homeless-housing-support-services/
Spaulding Support Services (developmental disabilities only)
Provides placement into income-based subsidized housing for adults with developmental disabilities in Onondaga County, including government grants and financial assistance for housing costs. Contact: 1603 Court Street, Syracuse, NY 13208 | (315) 478-6210
Veterans rental and housing assistance
Catholic Charities of Onondaga County — SSVF Program
Catholic Charities operates a VA-funded Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program for Onondaga County veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of losing housing. Services include rental assistance, utility help, security deposits, and case management. Eligible veterans must have an honorable discharge and meet low-income criteria. Contact: 262 E. Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. SSVF information and referrals: (315) 558-4387 or [email protected]. Website: https://ccoc.us/services/crisis-response/
Section 8 and subsidized housing
Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA)
Administers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing for Syracuse and Onondaga County. The HCV (Section 8) waiting list opens infrequently. When it does open, it normally accepts applications for only a few days before closing again. Monitor the SHA website for any future openings. The HCV program office is at a separate address from the main administrative office. Administration: 516 Burt Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 | (315) 475-6181. HCV (Section 8) office: 312 Gifford Street, 9th Floor, Syracuse, NY 13204 | (315) 470-4400. Website: https://syracusehousing.org.
Free legal help for tenants
Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York (LASMNY) — Syracuse Office
Provides free civil legal services to income-qualifying residents of Onondaga and surrounding counties, including eviction defense, landlord-tenant disputes, habitability issues, and public housing matters. The toll-free helpline is the primary intake point. Call to screen for eligibility before visiting. 221 S. Warren Street, Suite 310, Syracuse, NY 13202 Contact: Local: (315) 703-6600 | Helpline: 1-877-777-6152. Website: https://www.lasmny.org
Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY (VLP)
Provides free eviction defense and tenant legal assistance through volunteer attorneys for low-income Onondaga County residents. VLP runs legal clinics at multiple community locations throughout the week — at the Central Library on Tuesdays, the White Branch Library on Thursdays, Westcott Community Center on Thursdays, and other locations on a rotating schedule. They also operate a telephone-based legal clinic (Tel-Law), often on Wednesdays. VLP maintains a current list of rent assistance organizations on their website. Contact: 221 South Warren Street, Suite 200, Syracuse, NY 13202 | (315) 471-3409. Website: https://www.vlpcny.org/.
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