How to Get Emergency Rent Assistance

alt="emergency rent assistance"

Emergency Rent Assistance.  Are you past due with rent? First, charities, churches, and other places offer rental assistance. Secondly, many agencies provide food, utility, and prescriptions.


Both private and public non-profits support families through financial hardships.  Finally, if you cannot pay rent or facing eviction and cannot pay your most important bill, you probably need immediate help!

Where Can I Get Emergency Rent Assistance?

Each state has housing assistance for families who experience housing instability. Most importantly, rental assistance programs help the elderly, disadvantaged, and disabled in the community. These programs use emergency funds to pay rent and late utilities directly to your provider.

Some of these funds are funneled through churches, government programs, and private charities in your city.  Other states have charities like the Salvation Army, HUD, Catholic Charities, and community outreach programs that help with rental arrears.

Community Action Programs

You will be glad to know that there are programs in every city that will help you with emergency help paying rent or mortgage payments.  They can help with security deposits on new apartments or rentals. Each organization may have slightly different rules and obligations you must fulfill to receive emergency rental assistance.

These Organizations Help with Rent

Church Rent Assistance Programs

Many large churches in your community receive money from member donations, and the federal government provides rent relief to disadvantaged families and individuals.  It doesn’t matter that you are not a member or a Christian to receive help.  

These charities not only give rental assistance, but they also help with your mortgage, food, and clothing from the pantry.  You are not alone in this, and there are places you can get emergency rental assistance.


The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program funds local social agencies to help disadvantaged individuals and families re-house and prevent homelessness. The goal is to provide short-termed financial aid to stabilize families.

Do I Qualify for Eviction Prevention Assistance?

During COVID, there was a moratorium on rent. During the pandemic, people who lost their jobs due to the lockdown did not have to pay rent or utilities. Now that the crisis has passed, many are left with high utility bills and past-due rents.

Those who need help will be screened to see if they qualify.  Make sure to take your social security card, picture identification, work pay stubs, unemployment verification, and a few bills that will verify what you are telling them.  Also, have the name, address, and telephone number of your landlord or mortgage agent.

If funds are available to help you, your landlord or mortgage will be contacted, and they will receive the money directly. Many organizations only give you a portion of the money you might need. You will have to go to several organizations to receive rental assistance.

These Charities Give Rental Assistance

Charities like The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or the Red Cross may provide emergency help with rent assistance. Eligible tenants with low incomes can receive  Go online to Local Independent Charities of America to locate a charity that can give you the help you need. (800) 876-0413.  


Red Cross

This organization has been one of the first responders to disasters since 1859. The mission of the Red Cross has grown from helping wounded soldiers to helping people experiencing disasters everywhere.

The United Way

This is a one-stop resource to help you find financial help with bills and other emergency issues. You can reach The United Way by calling 2-1-1 or going to their website.

The Salvation Army Rent Assistance

The Salvation Army provides help in many area to struggling families. Rent Assistance is one type of support they offer.  This rent assistance program helps low-income families with rent, utilities, and other family issues. If you are looking for help, please contact the Salvation Army. If approved, they will make a rental payment directly to your landlord.

Catholic Charities

This organization provides help with free dental clinics, temporary shelters, disaster relief, food pantries, Christmas assistance, etc. Contact Catholic Charities for help.

*In America, an umbrella organization that only provides services to its member charities and does not directly provide assistance.

15 Places to Get Free Hotel and Motel Vouchers



How do Churches Help with Rent?

Many large and even smaller churches in your community offer housing relief programs.  They receive money from member donations and the government to assist the poor.

When going for help, bring your social security card, picture identification, work pay stubs, proof of unemployment, and a few bills that will verify what you are telling them.  Also, have the name, address, and telephone number of your landlord or mortgage agent.

If funds are available to help you, your landlord or mortgage will be contacted, and they will receive the money directly. Many organizations only give you a portion of the money you might need so that they can help more people. This means you will have to go to several organizations to get all your rent paid.

What Government Organizations give Emergency Rent Assistance?

Department of Social Services Offer Eviction Prevention

Go online, or call the Department of Social Service in your area. You will save a lot of time if you do most of your searching online. If you do not have a computer, go to the local library. You don’t have to receive government assistance to receive aid from the social services department.

Often you can go to them for one-time help to pay rent if you are behind and for emergency food stamps. Once you sit down with a worker, let them know everything you need. Keep in mind to bring all the documentation you need to receive services. If you are looking for affordable housing, state housing program offer programs with no waiting lists.

HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)

Rent Assistance

HUD not only helps low-income residents purchase homes but also gives help with eviction prevention and foreclosure. Do they provide security deposits on new housing?


Over a million families use HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) each year. They are an excellent resource for the poor, disabled, and elderly to find private and public housing. They also assist with the following:

  • Buying a Home
  • Homelessness Assistance
  • Down Payment Assistance
  • Security Deposits
  • Buying a HUD Home
  • Rent Assistance and Section 8 Programs

Remember:

  • Don’t freak out
  • Look online for help.
  • Have all your documentation available
  • Get each agency a list of other charities that help.
  • Ask for other services like food, clothing, and furniture.

In Conclusion

If you need emergency assistance with rent, try the organizations posted above. The process is the following:

  1. Contact the organization
  2. Find out if they have funding available
  3. Make an appointment
  4. Bring all the necessary documents needed to apply for help.
  5. Try to be patient

Pamela Lipscomb

We understand that finding financial assistance can be overwhelming and stressful. Our site provides information on potential programs, eligibility guidelines, and more. Please remember that this information is for guidance only, and we cannot guarantee assistance. For personalized advice and support, we strongly encourage you to consult with financial advisors, legal professionals, or the program providers directly.

290 thoughts on “How to Get Emergency Rent Assistance

  1. my name nathan i got accident on 1st month of jan after that in can get proper job i want to pay my childer school fees if any pay means after few months i will return back the money kindly help me.908779166

    1. Hello Nathan. I don’t know any program that will pay for school fees. Please call the United Way at 2-1-1 to see if there is anything available for this.

Comments are closed.

Recent Posts

Index