I Need Help Paying My Rent Before I Get Evicted

You may find yourself unable to pay rent for a variety of reasons. Income loss or instability, unexpected expenses, and high housing costs can leave you struggling to pay rent.

Whatever the reason, you’re not alone if you’re facing late rent payments and the possibility of eviction. Thankfully, national and local programs offer rental assistance to help you and your family avoid housing insecurity. It’s essential to seek help as soon as you become aware of an issue, so you have more time to find a solution. Review possible options and find a place to start below.

How to Get Emergency Rental Assistance

The US Department of the Treasury implemented the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program on January 5, 2021, to help lower-income renters pay their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan Act added a second round of funding (called ERA2) two months later.

While this funding helped millions of Americans with rent payments for more than four years, it concluded on September 30, 2025. Some states still have remaining funds that they can use until they are depleted. Check with your state’s Department of Human Services or equivalent agency for more details.

If you need to pay rent urgently, visit the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) for the most up-to-date information and resources. You can also call 211 for help.

Short-Term Rental Assistance Options

Short-term rental assistance provides tenants with help to cover their rent in the event of unexpected circumstances. This one-time assistance can help you avoid the eviction process for a short time. It lets you remain in your rental unit, giving you time to plan for the future.

If you’re looking for short-term resources in your area, the easiest option is to visit 211.org or dial the number 211. Once you contact 211, they’ll help you find the most up-to-date information about rental assistance available in your area.

You can also explore other short-term rental assistance options, which include the following:

• Modest Needs: This US charity helps tenants experiencing a documented, temporary financial emergency. They will pay the landlord directly to help prevent a tenant’s eviction.
• The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides rental, deposit, utility, and housing cost assistance to low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Local housing authorities (PHAs) listed on the HUD’s website also maintain updated lists of area-specific housing resources.
• The USDA Rural Development (RD) Program: If you are a low-income or elderly tenant living in a rural community, you can apply for rental assistance from the US Department of Agriculture.
• The Salvation Army: Your local Salvation Army chapter may provide a one-time grant to help you cover rent and other housing payments.
• Catholic Charities USA: This nationwide non-profit assists marginalized people in need regardless of their faith.
• The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP): SVDP is a ministry at some Catholic churches that provides one-time, emergency assistance grants.
• The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Federal social services include:
  • Temporary assistance for needy families (TANF)
  • Low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP)
  • Additional resources to support seniors, military families, and people with disabilities

Long-Term Rental Assistance Options

You may need long-term rental assistance if you have been struggling to make ends meet for an extended period. If you’re in this situation, you’re joining the ranks of many other Americans.

In the US, nationwide rent has increased by 30.4% between 2019 and 2023. Additionally, national rent prices peaked in 2022 and have remained near these levels.

When long-term unemployment, disability, or other issues make it difficult to afford housing, you may be eligible for long-term assistance. This can drastically improve your and your family’s quality of life during hardship. Research shows that rental assistance sharply reduces homelessness and improves individuals’ mental health.

If you need help paying your rent, consider these long-term rental assistance options:

• Moving into subsidized housing. The government pays certain apartment owners nationwide to provide lower rent costs to their tenants. Call 1-800-955-2232 to discuss affordable housing options near you.
• Look into the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Also called Section 8, this is the federal government’s largest program for long-term rental assistance. It provides subsidies that cover rent partially for eligible housing units.
• Consider the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Through this program, state and local governments receive grants to preserve affordable housing. The funds can also be passed on to tenants for direct rental assistance if applicable in your area.
• Turn to local churches and charities. Nearby churches and charities may offer long-term rental assistance.

Consider an Eviction Hardship Extension If You’ve Already Been Evicted

An eviction hardship extension is a court order that delays eviction and allows tenants to remain on the property for a temporary period. You can use a hardship stay of eviction to secure new housing and improve your financial security. If you have the resources, you may use the period to catch up on rent and remain in your current residence.

You must file for a hardship stay of eviction by following these steps:

1. Review applicable laws. Research the eviction hardship extension laws in your area. Note filing and notification requirements and deadlines, as failing to meet them could harm your case. Not every state will have a formal law regarding hardship extensions, so you should be prepared to negotiate directly with your landlord, if possible, to request additional time to get your lease caught up.
2. Gather documentation. You must show the court that you’ve suffered economic difficulties. Show the following proof to create a summary of your financial hardship:
   • Income (or income loss)
   • Job status (layoff or termination notice)
   • Government benefits
   • Financial affidavit
   • Evidence of efforts to secure financial aid
   • A copy of your lease agreement (to show you’ve otherwise complied with the lease terms)
   • A copy of the eviction notice
3. Inform your landlord. Notify your landlord in writing of your intention to apply for a hardship extension.
4. File a motion for an extension. File a motion to stay with the same court that conducted the eviction hearing. Check your local laws and housing resources to ensure you go through the proper channels.
5. Attend a court hearing. You explain the hardship, and your landlord can argue against delaying the eviction. Submit a request to the court to extend the hearing to a later date. This can give you additional time to make satisfactory arrangements with your landlord.
6. Wait for a decision. Wait for the judge to return a judgment on your hardship stay case. During this time, you should continue to pay rent to the best of your abilities and fulfill your other lease terms.
7. Comply with the court’s requirements. If the court grants your extension request, you may be allowed to remain on the property for weeks or months during the eviction hardship extension period. During this time, you may be required to show attempts to find new housing.

If you need more information on how to file a hardship stay of eviction, consult an attorney specializing in landlord-tenant law.

Other Ways to Pay Rent & Avoid Eviction

Outside of rental assistance and legal remedies, there are other options for addressing issues with paying rent. Find out how to deal with your housing crisis and possible eviction:

1. Review Your Lease

Your lease agreement should outline your options if you’re struggling to pay rent. Determine whether you have a grace period and whether late fees will be applied or waived.

2. Communicate & Negotiate With Your Landlord

Asking for help can be difficult, but talking to your landlord and being transparent about your hardships may help you avoid eviction. You may be able to negotiate an extended payment plan or a reduction in rent for a short period. Plus, if it comes to it, showing a track record of clear and polite communication with your landlord about your struggles may help you plead your case in an eviction hearing.

3. Take On a Roommate or Sublease

If your lease allows subleasing and you have enough space, you may have another tenant rent out a specific room. You can even consider listing it for short-term rental if you’re in a popular, high-traffic area. Check your lease to determine if your landlord must approve subleasing before you enter into an agreement with a subtenant.

Alternatively, landlords or property owners may allow you to add a roommate if your space is not overcrowded and your lease allows it. If you take on a roommate, follow any rules or processes set forth by your lease agreement, and communicate with your landlord every step of the way.

4. Research Affordable Housing Through Local Housing Authorities

Local housing authorities don’t just provide one-time bailouts for emergencies. You can use them as resources to find more affordable housing for the long term. Call 211 to connect with your local housing authorities.

4. Ask Family and Friends for Financial Assistance

You may be able to skip the application process for assistance programs or bank loans if your friends or family members are willing and able to help you out. Ask if any of your loved ones can issue you a loan that you can repay over time. Get the terms in writing with a Legal Templates’s promissory note template.

5. Move In With Friends or Family

If you’re fortunate enough to have the option, consider asking your friends or family if you can stay with them for a short period. If your lease is ending, this is a great option to help you save for the future. If your lease won’t end for a while, you’ll have to speak with your landlord about what it will cost to break the agreement.

6. Move to a Cheaper Rental

Consider how much you pay in rent right now. If the rent is too high and you struggle to make the monthly payments consistently, consider relocating to a more affordable area. Use rental search tools to get detailed information on listings in your area. Apply the filtering options to narrow down your options, looking for places that include utilities in the rent cost or offer flexible lease terms. You can also look in surrounding neighborhoods with lower demand and cheaper rent prices.

If you decide to move, plan it strategically to cut down costs. Here are some tips that can make your move cheaper:

• Declutter first to minimize the number of items you have to move.
• Consider doing a DIY move with a rented truck to save on moving costs.
• If you hire movers, schedule your move during non-peak times for more affordable rates (e.g., weekdays are generally less expensive than weekends).
• Overlap lease end and start dates to avoid paying double rent.

Challenging an Unlawful Eviction

If you’re the victim of an unlawful eviction for non-payment of rent, you may have legal recourse. An unlawful eviction could look like any of the following situations:

• The landlord failed to provide the required notice as mandated by state law.
• The landlord didn’t follow the formal eviction process (i.e., they locked you out prematurely).
• The landlord used threats or intimidation to evict you.
• The landlord failed to provide a habitable property, or the property was not in compliance with local health and safety codes.

If you feel that your eviction violates the law, you can dispute it in court. Before you do, you should ensure you have a solid defense.

No matter why you’ve decided to dispute the eviction, it’s important to gather evidence. This might include receipts for your rent payments or notes documenting conversations with your landlord.

Most importantly, ensure you’re present in court on the day specified in the eviction summons. Failing to appear will likely result in your landlord winning the case and the court approving the eviction.

An experienced attorney can offer guidance during each stage of this process. If you plan to dispute your eviction, it’s best to seek legal advice as quickly as possible so you don’t miss any important deadlines or legal requirements.