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Help with rent, housing and home repairs

If you're behind on rent or facing eviction, act quickly: call 2-1-1 for emergency rent help near you, and get free legal help right away. For longer-term help, Section 8 vouchers and public housing lower rent to about 30% of income, though waiting lists are often long.

Behind on rent or facing eviction

Emergency rent help is run by local agencies and charities; 2-1-1 can connect you. Free legal aid can help you respond to an eviction notice and stay in your home.

Free civil legal aidFree service or coverageFree lawyers for people with low income facing eviction, foreclosure, domestic violence, debt collection or benefit denials.Who qualifies: People with low income who need help with a civil legal problem, like eviction, debt, benefits or family law.

Ongoing help with rent

These programs lower your rent based on income. Apply with your local housing authority.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)Free service or coveragePays part of your rent to a private landlord, so you pay about 30% of your income toward rent.Who qualifies: Households with very low income, usually under half of the local median; local housing agencies set waitlists and priorities.Public housingFree service or coverageAffordable rental homes owned by local housing agencies, with rent based on your income.Who qualifies: Households with low income, seniors and people with disabilities; local housing agencies set income limits and waitlists.

Homeowners: repairs and mortgage trouble

Free housing counselors can help you avoid foreclosure, and USDA offers repair loans and grants in rural areas.

Free HUD-approved housing counselingFree service or coverageFree or low-cost advice on renting, buying a home, avoiding foreclosure and dealing with an eviction.Who qualifies: Anyone renting, buying, behind on a mortgage, or facing eviction or foreclosure; counseling is free or low cost.USDA home repair loans and grants (Section 504)ConditionalLow-interest repair loans, and repair grants for homeowners 62+, in eligible rural areas.Who qualifies: Homeowners in eligible rural areas with very low income; grants are for those 62+.USDA direct home loans for rural areasLoan, must be repaidLow-interest home loans with no down payment for families with low income in eligible rural areas.Who qualifies: Families with low income buying a home in an eligible rural area who can't get a regular mortgage.

Veterans and disasters

VA help for homeless veteransFree service or coverageHelp finding housing, rent help, health care and job services for veterans who are homeless or about to lose housing. Call 877-424-3838, any time.Who qualifies: Veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their housing, and their families.Disaster assistanceFree moneyGrants for temporary housing and home repairs after a federally declared disaster.Who qualifies: People affected by a federally declared disaster.

Find your state's housing agency

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Good to know

  • Never ignore court papers about an eviction. Answer by the deadline, even if you can't pay.
  • Ask your landlord in writing for a payment plan, and keep copies.
  • Waiting lists for Section 8 open and close; check your housing authority's website often.
  • For free, confidential help from a person, call 2-1-1.

Rules, limits and deadlines change. Each program page links to the official source for current details. Choose your state to see everything available where you live.