If you’re struggling to pay rent, the stress can feel insurmountable. Mounting pressure from rising prices, the scarcity of pandemic-related relief, job layoffs, and a lack of affordable housing have made it more difficult for Americans to pay rent consistently.
You’re not alone if you’re facing late rental payments and possible eviction. There are national and local programs for rental assistance to help you and your family avoid housing insecurity. It’s important to seek help as soon as you realize there’s a problem so you have more time to find a solution. Review possible options and find a place to start below.
Short-Term Rental Assistance
Short-term rental assistance offers tenants help to cover their rent due to unexpected circumstances. This one-time assistance can help you avoid the eviction process for a short time, keeping you in your rental unit until you can create a plan for the future.
If you’re looking for short-term resources in your area, consider the following options:
- 211.org: 211 is a nonprofit that connects Americans experiencing food, housing, and financial insecurity to local resources. If you call 211 or visit their website, you can find consistently updated information about any assistance in your area.
- Modest Needs: This US charity gives small emergency grants to low-income families at risk of falling into poverty and homelessness who have no other immediate source of help. You can apply for help and view other applicants’ stories on their website.
- The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers assistance with rent, security deposits, utilities, and other housing costs to low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. You can find out more about its programs on its website.
- The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Federal social services include temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), home energy assistance (LIHEAP), and additional resources to support seniors, military families, and people with disabilities. Rental-assistance-specific services depend on funding and vary from state to state, so contact your local agency for more information.
- 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: If you apply in person and prove your hardship, your local Salvation Army chapter may provide a one-time assistance grant to help you cover rent and other necessary payments.
- Catholic Charities USA: This nationwide nonprofit assists marginalized people in need regardless of their faith. If you want to secure a housing grant from your local agency, you can apply in person and speak with a caseworker.
- The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP): SVDP is a ministry at some Catholic churches that provides one-time, emergency assistance grants. Check around to see if any nearby Catholic churches have this specialized ministry.
- Your Local Housing Authority: Most American communities have a public housing agency (PHA) that should have an up-to-date list of resources available in your area. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development lists contact information for local social services and local housing authorities in each state on its website.
How to Get Emergency Rental Assistance
The US Department of the Treasury runs the country’s emergency rental assistance (ERA) programs, meant to support housing stability for Americans at risk of facing eviction. [1]
ERA programs were first created to provide emergency assistance to individuals and families facing housing insecurity at the beginning of COVID-19. Now, ERA programs in some states are still running to help low-income Americans during their continuing recovery from the pandemic’s financial effects.
The two available emergency rental assistance programs were established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 [2] and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. [3] The availability of funds and eligibility can vary by state, but generally, those who have experienced any of the below may be eligible:
- Qualifying for unemployment
- Facing imminent eviction, like if you’ve already received an eviction notice
- Dealing with a financial hardship directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as losing your job or business
- Undergoing a sharp or sudden decline in household income
- Handling a sudden medical issue arising, especially if it limits you or your loved ones’ ability to work
To apply for an emergency rental assistance program, search for your local community action agency (CAA) and contact them for more information. You can also call 211 to find the most relevant organization near you. If approved, you may receive a certain amount of months of back rent, as well as a smaller number of months of future rent.
Long-Term Rental Assistance
You may need long-term rental assistance if you’re struggling with a poor financial situation and have been having trouble making ends meet for longer. If you’re in this situation, you’re joining the ranks of many other Americans. In the US, rent has become increasingly unaffordable, with the nationwide rent increasing by 30.4% between 2019 and 2023. [4]
When long-term unemployment, disability, or other issues make it difficult to afford housing, you may be eligible for long-term rental assistance options. These can drastically improve your and your family’s quality of life during hardship. Research shows that federal rental assistance sharply reduces homelessness, decreases crowding, and improves individuals’ mental and physical health. [5]
If you need help paying your rent, consider long-term rental assistance options that can help you and your family, such as:
- Moving Into Subsidized Housing: The government pays certain apartment owners nationwide to provide lower rent costs to their tenants. Talk to your nearest public housing agency or call 1-800-955-2232 to discuss affordable housing options near you.
- The Housing Choice Voucher Program: Formerly known as Section 8, this is the federal government’s largest program for long-term rental assistance. In this program, rent payments are given directly to your landlord on your behalf each month.
- The Home Investment Partnerships Program: Through this program, state and local governments receive grants to build and rehabilitate affordable housing. The funds can also be passed on to tenants for direct rental assistance if applicable in your area. You can reach out to your state or local government program to determine whether they provide direct grants and how you might access the affordable housing created by this program.
- Local Churches and Charities: Like short-term rental assistance, nearby churches and charities may offer long-term rental assistance too. Use 211 as a helpful resource for understanding all of your options.
7 Ways to Cover Rent
Outside of short-term or long-term rental assistance options, there are other ways to handle issues with paying your 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. It’s important to review and understand your rights and obligations, especially if you’re facing potential eviction. Additionally, consider exploring different ways to pay rent to stay on top of your payments, which may help you avoid triggering any late fees or eviction proceedings.
2. Openly Communicate 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 court.
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.
Alternatively, landlords or property owners may allow you to add a roommate if your space is not overcrowded and your lease allows for it. If you choose to take on a roommate, follow any rules or processes set forth by your lease agreement and communicate closely with your landlord every step of the way.
4. Ask Family and Friends for 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.
5. Move In With Friends or Family
If you’re lucky enough to have the option, consider asking your friends or family if you can move in 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
Downsizing can be a great way to save on housing costs if you’re in a tight spot. If you move to a cheaper apartment or rental home that takes up a less significant portion of your paycheck, then you may be able to save more money and improve your financial situation in the long run.
7. Ask for an Eviction Hardship Extension
In a legal eviction proceeding, you may be able to ask for an eviction hardship extension. You’ll need to show evidence of economic hardship, make good-faith efforts to communicate with your landlord, and comply with the rest of the lease.
You will also be required to follow the specific timelines applicable in your state when applying for this extension and provide your landlord with a written notice that you’re doing so. Depending on your state, this can lengthen the eviction timeline, which may range between a few weeks and a few months.
Rental Assistance Is a Win for Everyone
If you’re looking for someone to help you pay your rent, there are options for assistance that can help you rise above and avoid housing insecurity.
On the other hand, if you’re a landlord, you can also benefit from learning about available help to prevent vacancies. The eviction process can be expensive and create emotional and financial hardship on both ends, so it may be helpful to know about rental assistance options and help your tenants rather than evict them.
