Quick answer
For housing help, start with 211 and your local public housing agency. The federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program has ended, so rent help now comes from local charities, county and state programs, and HUD-funded homelessness prevention. For long-term help, apply to Section 8 and public housing waitlists. For eviction or home-buying questions, use free legal aid and HUD-approved housing counselors.
Find housing help in your state
Select your state to see official starting points for rent help, vouchers, and counseling.
Housing help by need
Find your situation below for the first place to call and our detailed guide.
| Need | Where to start | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Behind on rent this month | 211, local charities, county programs | Programs to help pay rent |
| Checking on emergency rental assistance | Your city or county housing office | Emergency Rental Assistance status |
| A long-term rent subsidy | Your local public housing agency | Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) guide |
| Housing without a long wait | Property managers and PHAs with open lists | Low-income housing with no waiting list |
| Renting after an eviction | Second-chance landlords and legal aid | Second chance apartments |
| Housing for an older adult | Senior housing and HUD Section 202 | Low-income senior housing |
| Nowhere to stay tonight | 211 and local shelters | Immediate housing assistance |
| Repairs on a home you own | USDA and local repair programs | Federal home repair grants |
If you're behind on rent
Act early, because rent help takes time to process. The Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance program ended: the last ERA2 funding period closed on September 30, 2025, so programs that used it have stopped taking applications. Help still exists through local charities, county and state programs, and HUD-funded homelessness prevention; 211 can tell you what is open near you. Our rent relief guide walks through what these programs cover. If you get an eviction notice, contact free legal aid right away, because tenants with a lawyer have more options to settle or delay the case.
Finding affordable housing
The main long-term programs are public housing, Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers, and income-restricted apartments. You apply through your local public housing agency. Waiting lists are common and some close for long periods, so apply to several and ask about preferences (such as veterans, seniors, or people with disabilities). If you own a home and are struggling with payments, see our mortgage relief guide.
Working toward owning a home
Before any purchase path, take two free steps: talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor, and run the numbers with our home loan calculators and FHA loan calculator. FHA loans and state first-time buyer programs, including down payment assistance, are the mainstream routes.
A word on rent-to-own
Rent-to-own can be a path for people who need time to build credit, but contracts vary widely: option fees, above-market rent, and terms that can forfeit your money if you can't buy. Never sign one without reading every term, and ideally have a housing counselor or attorney review it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Emergency Rental Assistance still available?
Not through the federal Treasury program. Its last funding period ended on September 30, 2025. Some cities, counties, states, and charities run their own rent help, so call 211 to find what is open where you live.
Does emergency rent help have to be repaid?
Usually not. Most rent assistance from government programs and charities is a grant, often paid directly to your landlord. Ask the program to confirm in writing.
How long are Section 8 waitlists?
It varies from months to years by area, and some lists open only now and then. Apply to several public housing agencies in places where you would really live.
Where can I get free help with an eviction?
Contact your local legal aid office through LawHelp.org, and call 211 for emergency rent funds. A HUD-approved housing counselor can also help you plan.
Is rent-to-own a good idea?
It can work for some people, but contracts vary and you can lose your option fee and extra rent if you do not buy. Have a counselor or attorney review the contract first.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 25, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
This page is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an application. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency. Applying for official programs is always free.
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email support@nationalreliefprogram.org.