Rental Assistance: Programs, Eligibility, How to Apply

What Is Rental Assistance?

Rental assistance refers to a group of federal, state, and local programs that help tenants pay their rent when they fall behind or cannot afford housing costs. These programs are separate from the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which provides long-term subsidies. Rental assistance programs focus on short-term and emergency help to keep people housed and prevent evictions.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) runs several rental aid programs, including the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, and Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing grants. The U.S. Treasury ran the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program from 2021 through 2025, distributing over $46 billion to state and local governments. That program made more than 10 million payments to renters facing eviction during and after the pandemic.

About 22.4 million renter households in the United States are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent. Of those, roughly 12 million are severely cost-burdened, spending more than half their income on housing. These numbers come from the National Low Income Housing Coalition's 2025 Out of Reach report. The problem is worst among renters with extremely low incomes: three out of four spend more than half their income on rent.

Today, most emergency rental assistance comes from state and local programs funded through HUD block grants, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and state general funds. Many states created their own rental assistance programs using leftover ERA funds and new appropriations.

Who Qualifies for Rental Assistance?

Eligibility rules differ by program, but most rental assistance programs share a few common requirements. You must be a renter (not a homeowner), you must show that you need help paying rent, and your household income must fall below a set threshold.

Income Limits

Most HUD-funded rental assistance programs use Area Median Income (AMI) as the baseline. HUD publishes income limits each year for every county and metro area. The three main categories are:

Source: HUD Income Limits, updated annually.

AMI varies widely by location. In 2025, the median family income for a family of four ranged from about $55,000 in rural parts of Mississippi to over $150,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area. A household earning $40,000 might qualify as very low income in a high-cost city but fall above the limit in a lower-cost area.

The federal ERA programs used a simpler standard. To qualify for ERA, a household needed income at or below 80% of AMI, or at or below the federal poverty level, whichever was greater. ERA programs also required that at least one household member had experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic.

Rent Burden Requirement

Most programs require that you spend more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. Some programs target households spending 50% or more. If your monthly income is $2,000 and your rent is $800, your rent burden is 40%, which meets the threshold for most programs.

Other Requirements

You generally must provide a valid lease or rental agreement. Some programs also require:

• Proof that you are behind on rent or at risk of eviction
• An eviction notice or past-due letter from your landlord
• Proof of income loss, job loss, or unexpected expenses
• Residency in the city, county, or state where you apply

Citizenship is not always required. Many state and local programs serve all residents regardless of immigration status. Federal programs typically require U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, though rules vary. Check with your local program before assuming you do not qualify.

You can use our free screener to check if you meet the basic income requirements for rental assistance and other programs in about five minutes.

How Much Can You Get?

Benefit amounts depend on the specific program and your situation. Most emergency rental assistance programs cover actual rent owed, not a flat dollar amount.

Typical Benefit Ranges

Amounts vary by program and funding availability.

The federal ERA program covered up to 18 months of rent and utilities per household. Many state programs that continue today offer between one and six months of rent payments. Some programs pay the landlord directly. Others issue payments to the tenant.

The average ERA payment was about $4,400 per household, according to Treasury data. State programs currently operating tend to offer between $1,500 and $10,000, depending on local cost of living and available funding.

Utility assistance is often bundled with rental help. If you also need help with heating or cooling bills, the LIHEAP program provides separate energy assistance. Many households qualify for both.

Types of Rental Assistance Programs

Several different programs exist at the federal, state, and local levels. Here is what is available now.

HUD Programs

HUD funds rental assistance through multiple grant programs distributed to states, cities, and nonprofits:

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME): This program gives grants to states and localities for affordable housing activities, including Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA). TBRA helps low-income renters afford housing for up to 24 months. About 600 communities receive HOME funds each year.

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG): ESG funds go to cities, counties, and nonprofits for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing. The prevention component pays rent and utilities for households at risk of becoming homeless. ESG served over 300,000 people in a recent program year.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): Cities and counties can use CDBG funds for emergency rent payments as part of their public services allocation. Over 1,200 communities receive CDBG funding annually.

State and Local Programs

Every state has at least one rental assistance program, though names, funding levels, and rules differ. Common examples include:

• California runs the Housing is Key program and several county-level rental aid programs
• New York operates the Emergency Rental Assistance Program through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
• Texas funds the Texas Rent Relief program and local programs through Community Action Agencies
• Florida operates the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program and Our Florida rental assistance
• Illinois runs the Illinois Rental Payment Program through the state housing authority

Most of these programs are administered by local Community Action Agencies (CAAs). There are about 1,000 CAAs across the country, and they serve as the front door for rental assistance in many communities.

211 Helpline

Dialing 211 connects you to a local specialist who can identify rental assistance programs in your area. The 211 system operates in all 50 states and covers 94% of the U.S. population. You can also visit 211.org online to search for local resources.

How to Apply for Rental Assistance

The application process varies by program, but most follow a similar pattern.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Use our free eligibility screener or review the income limits above. The screener takes about five minutes and checks rental assistance along with 20 other programs including SNAP, Medicaid, and LIHEAP.

Step 2: Find your local program

Start with these resources:

• Dial 211 or visit 211.org to find programs in your area
• Visit the CFPB renter help page at consumerfinance.gov/housing/housing-insecurity/help-for-renters for a directory of resources
• Contact your local Community Action Agency through the Community Action Partnership locator
• Check your state housing authority website for state-level programs

Step 3: Gather your documents

You will need:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax return, unemployment letter, or self-certification of income)
• Current lease or rental agreement
• Proof of past-due rent (late notices, landlord letter, or ledger showing balance owed)
• Utility bills if requesting utility assistance
• Landlord name and contact information

Step 4: Submit your application

Most programs accept applications online, by phone, or in person at a local office. Some require your landlord to participate by providing a W-9 form and verifying the amount owed. Programs that pay landlords directly often process faster.

Step 5: Wait for a decision

Processing times range from a few days to several weeks. Emergency cases, such as active eviction proceedings, may receive expedited review. If your situation is urgent, tell the program staff when you apply and provide any court documents showing pending eviction.

Tips for a Faster Process

Apply to every program you might qualify for. There is no rule against applying to multiple programs at the same time. If one program runs out of funding, another might still have money available.

Keep your phone on and check your email. Programs often need to reach you for follow-up information, and missing a call can delay your case by weeks.

If you are facing an active eviction, contact your local legal aid organization. Many offer free legal help for tenants facing eviction. The Legal Services Corporation can connect you with a legal aid provider in your area.

Rental Assistance and Other Programs

If you qualify for rental assistance, you likely qualify for other programs that can reduce your monthly expenses. Applying for multiple benefits at once puts more money in your pocket.

• Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers: Long-term rental subsidies for very low-income families. Waitlists are long, but worth applying.
• LIHEAP: Pays heating and cooling bills. Most rental assistance recipients also qualify for LIHEAP.
• SNAP: Helps buy groceries. A family of four can receive up to $994 per month in food assistance.
• Medicaid: Free or low-cost health coverage for low-income adults and children.
• TANF: Cash assistance for families with children. Can help cover rent and other basic needs.
• Childcare Assistance: Subsidized childcare for working families, which frees up income for rent.
• EITC: A tax credit worth up to $7,830 for working families. Filed with your tax return each year.
• SSI: Monthly cash payments for disabled adults and children with low income.

Our free screener checks rental assistance and all of these programs at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get rental assistance if I already have an eviction notice?

Yes. Many programs give priority to households facing active eviction. Having a court notice does not disqualify you. In fact, some programs are specifically designed for people in eviction proceedings. Apply immediately and mention the eviction when you contact the program.

Is the federal ERA program still available?

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance program ended on September 30, 2025. ERA2 grantees can no longer make new payments to renters. However, many states and cities created their own rental assistance programs using ERA as a model. Contact 211 or visit the CFPB renter help page to find current programs near you.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get rental assistance?

It depends on the program. Federal programs generally require U.S. citizenship or qualified immigration status. Many state and local programs serve all residents regardless of immigration status. Some programs only check the immigration status of the applicant, not other household members. Ask your local program about their specific rules before deciding not to apply.

Will my landlord know I applied for rental assistance?

In most cases, yes. Many programs pay the landlord directly, which requires the landlord's participation. Your landlord will need to verify the amount owed and provide payment information. Most landlords prefer receiving payment through assistance programs over pursuing eviction, which costs them time and money.

How long does it take to get rental assistance?

Processing times vary from a few days to several weeks. Emergency cases with active eviction proceedings often receive faster review. Programs with high demand and limited staff may take longer. You can speed things up by submitting all required documents with your initial application.

Can I apply to more than one rental assistance program?

Yes. You can and should apply to multiple programs at the same time. Different programs have different funding sources and timelines. If one program runs out of money, another might still be accepting applications. Just be honest on each application about other assistance you have received or applied for.

What if my landlord refuses to participate?

Some programs can still help even if your landlord will not cooperate. Certain programs allow direct payment to the tenant when the landlord does not respond within a set timeframe (usually 7 to 14 days). Ask the program administrator about their policy for unresponsive landlords.