If you are behind on rent, have received an eviction notice, or expect to miss an upcoming payment, begin looking for help immediately. Emergency rental assistance is still available in many communities, but the system is different from the large temporary federal programs created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal Emergency Rental Assistance program known as ERA1 and ERA2 is no longer an open nationwide application program. ERA2's federal award period ended in 2025. In 2026, most renters find immediate help through state, county, city, tribal, nonprofit, legal-aid, homelessness-prevention, or court-based eviction-diversion programs.
Availability changes frequently. A program listed today may pause applications after its funds are committed, so contact more than one organization rather than waiting for a single application.
Need help now? Search rental assistance programs near you, or browse programs and housing agencies by state.
1. Search city, county, and state rent-help programs
Start with the government agencies closest to where you live. Search for:
- Your city or county housing department
- Your county human-services or community-services department
- Your state housing finance agency
- Local homelessness-prevention programs
- Eviction-diversion or court rental-assistance programs
- Community Development Block Grant-funded assistance
- HOME or Emergency Solutions Grants-funded local services
Do not assume that a closed program means there is no help in your area. A county program may be closed while a city, nonprofit, or court program is still taking applications.
Use only official government websites or trusted local organizations. Be cautious of websites that charge an application fee or promise guaranteed approval.
2. Call 211 and ask for current local referrals
Dial 211 or use 211's online resource directory. Ask specifically for:
- Emergency rent assistance
- Eviction prevention
- Utility assistance
- Security-deposit help
- Legal aid for tenants
- Homelessness prevention
- Rapid rehousing
- Community action agencies
211 usually does not issue rent payments itself. Its value is helping you identify local organizations that may still have funding.
3. Contact community action agencies and established charities
Community action agencies often administer locally funded programs or can connect applicants with partner organizations. Depending on location and funding, rental help may also be available through local affiliates of:
- Catholic Charities
- The Salvation Army
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Family Promise
- Volunteers of America
- Local faith-based coalitions
- Community foundations
Assistance is not guaranteed, and many branches operate independently. Contact the local office rather than relying only on information from a national website.
For more possibilities, see our guide to nonprofits that may provide rental assistance.
4. Get legal help as soon as you receive an eviction notice
Rental assistance and legal help are not the same thing, but both may be important. A tenant attorney or legal-aid office may help you:
- Understand the notice and court deadline
- Identify an available eviction-diversion program
- Request mediation
- Negotiate a payment agreement
- Raise legal defenses when appropriate
- Apply for benefits connected to the court case
Do not ignore court papers while waiting for assistance. Missing a hearing or response deadline may affect your case even if you have a pending aid application.
You can search for local legal aid through the Legal Services Corporation directory or your local court's self-help resources.
5. Tell your landlord that you are seeking assistance
Contact your landlord early and keep the communication in writing. Explain:
- The amount you can pay now
- The assistance programs you contacted
- Whether the program needs landlord documents
- When you expect an application update
- A realistic proposed payment plan
Some programs pay landlords directly and require a W-9, ledger, lease, ownership verification, or signed participation form. A delayed landlord response can slow an otherwise complete application.
Do not promise a payment date unless the agency has actually confirmed approval and disbursement.
6. Prepare the documents most programs request
Requirements vary, but gathering these items early can prevent delays:
- Government-issued identification
- Social Security numbers or other identity documents, when required
- Lease or proof of tenancy
- Landlord's contact information
- Rent ledger or statement showing the amount owed
- Eviction notice, demand letter, or court papers
- Proof of household income
- Benefit letters
- Bank statements, when requested
- Proof of job loss, reduced hours, illness, or another hardship
- Utility bills if utility assistance is requested
Submit clear, complete copies. Keep confirmation numbers, screenshots, emails, and the name of every person you speak with.
7. Apply to more than one appropriate program
Emergency programs frequently have limited funding. Unless an application specifically prohibits duplicate applications, it is reasonable to contact several potential sources.
Be truthful about other assistance you applied for or received. Programs generally cannot pay the same rent balance twice, but one organization may cover rent while another helps with utilities, food, transportation, or legal services.
8. Consider longer-term housing assistance too
Emergency aid is usually temporary. If your rent will remain unaffordable, also explore:
- Housing Choice Vouchers, commonly called Section 8
- Public housing
- Project-based rental assistance
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties
- Section 202 housing for older adults
- Section 811 housing for people with disabilities
- Locally funded tenant-based assistance
Long-term programs may have waiting lists, so they are not substitutes for immediate eviction help. Still, applying now may improve your future housing options.
Learn about the types of rental assistance programs, or read the specific Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher guide.
What to do if no program has money available
If every program you contact is closed or out of funds:
- Call 211 again and ask about newly opened or smaller local programs.
- Contact legal aid if eviction is threatened or filed.
- Ask your landlord about a written payment agreement.
- Apply for utility, food, childcare, or transportation assistance to free up money for rent.
- Contact your local Continuum of Care if you may lose housing.
- Keep checking because local funding cycles can reopen.
Emergency rental-assistance scams to avoid
Legitimate programs should not demand gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or a fee to move you ahead of other applicants. Never send sensitive documents through an unverified social-media account.
Confirm the organization's website, address, and telephone number independently before sharing personal information.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a federal emergency rental-assistance application in 2026?
There is no single open nationwide ERA application. The temporary Treasury ERA programs have ended. Current assistance is generally administered through local governments, states, tribes, courts, nonprofits, and homelessness-prevention systems.
How quickly can rental assistance be approved?
It depends on the program, funding, urgency, and whether the application is complete. Some crisis programs act quickly; others take weeks or stop accepting applications when funds are committed.
Can I receive help after an eviction case has been filed?
Possibly. Some areas operate court-based eviction-diversion programs. Contact the court, legal aid, and local assistance agencies immediately.
Do I have to repay rental assistance?
Most rental-assistance grants do not have to be repaid, but confirm the terms before accepting aid. Some local programs may offer loans instead of grants.
Sources
- U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program
- USA.gov help with rent
- HUD homelessness assistance
- 211 rental and housing resources
- Legal Services Corporation legal-aid finder
Find help near you: Search local rental assistance programs or browse by state.
Independent-site disclaimer: RentAssistance.org is an independent directory and informational website. It is not a government agency, Public Housing Agency, or HUD-affiliated organization. Program availability, eligibility rules, waiting-list status, and application procedures vary by location and may change. Confirm details directly with the administering agency before applying.