Urgent Need for Rent Help? Here's Your Guide to Assistance Programs

NEW YORK CITY -- If you're a renter struggling with ever-increasing housing costs and living expenses, you are not alone.

No matter where you are located— whether that is in populous states like New York and California, or in more rural ones like Arkansas or Vermont— economic uncertainties and unforeseen challenges may be making it increasingly difficult for you to pay your bills.

Fortunately, there may be a beacon of hope waiting for you— rent relief programs. Whether you are grappling with job loss, medical expenses, or simple financial strains caused by national inflation, understanding how to access these rental assistance programs can provide much-needed help paying rent and peace of mind.

Here's a comprehensive guide on how to access these rental assistance programs.

Why You May Need Rent Assistance

There are different reasons why tenants may need rent relief, some of which may be tied to outside forces. Some of these reasons may be:

• Job loss or a recent loss of income
• Financial hardships tied or illness or disabilities
• Housing instability caused by reasons like eviction, domestic violence or natural disasters
• Owed large expenses
• Or more

Rental assistance programs play a crucial role in offering some sort of rent relief and supporting individuals and families who are struggling to afford housing, helping to prevent homelessness and securing housing stability.

The Benefits of Rent Assistance Programs

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program allows local programs to cover rent, utilities and home energy costs. This includes electricity, gas, fuel oil, water and sewer, and trash removal. If your landlord normally pays for utilities or home energy costs, these are counties as part of your rent.

For low-income tenants, rent relief programs can bring a plethora of benefits. This may mean further affordability of other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education, increased economic security which allows freeing up funds for savings and emergency expenses and housing stability.

Emergency Rental Assistance programs can oftentimes also have a positive impact on the economy, as it injects funds to the housing market, supporting landlord and property owners, and contributing to local economies.

Types of Rent Assistance Programs

There is a wide variety of rent relief programs available to help pay rent. While they vary by locality, it is always important to be knowledgeable about them through either legal aid or personal research to know which one suits your case best. Here are some of the most common programs available.

Emergency Rental Assistance

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, as established above, allows local programs to cover rent, utilities and home energy costs. Rental assistance may also cover:

• Reasonable late fees
• Internet service to your home
• Moving expenses and other rental-related fees

Some programs may also provide housing counseling, case management, legal representation, and other housing stability services.

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program allows local programs to receive up to 18 months of help with rent, including overdue rent, back to March 13, 2020, if the money is available.

If you have overdue rent, the money must go toward rent that you owe, first. Local programs, however, may be able to help with future rent relief, up to 3 months at a time. It is always important to ask your local program about the total amount of help available to you.

The emergency rental assistance program also offers legal protections to tenants who may have been discriminated against in relation to a current or past eviction process. If this is your case, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recommends your local legal aid organization or social service agencies, like Legal Services Corporation, ACL Elder Care Locator, or lawhelp.org.

For more information on emergency rental assistance programs, as well as how to get legal aid, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website.

Section 8 Housing

The Housing Choice Voucher program, also known as Section 8, is a federal rent relief assistance program managed by the HUD. It provides assistance to eligible low- and moderate-income families to help pay rent and afford housing in the private market. This program works as a rental subsidy that allows families to pay a reasonable amount of their income toward their rent.

Eligibility for this program is based on a family's gross annual income and family size. Eligible families will receive a voucher to begin searching for housing. Generally, families pay no more than 40 percent of their adjusted monthly income toward their rent assistance.

For more information on this HUD program, click here.

How to Find Assistance Programs Near You

Your personal rent relief will vary depending on where you are, your income and your needs. Each local rent relief program has some flexibility in how they set up policies and procedures to suit the needs of their local community. For example, in some areas, you can apply for rental assistance yourself. In other areas, landlords need to submit an application first to help pay rent.

Click here to find specific rental assistance for your state, tribe, or local area.

Use the search bar to search for your area. If you cannot find any programs in your area, you can also call 211 or your local housing authority for assistance.

Bottom Line

There are a wide variety of emergency rental assistance programs available for you to help pay your rent. Depending on your eligibility and location, you may be able to pay for overdue fees, or future rent payments including utilities.

Rent relief programs play a vital role in addressing housing insecurity and promoting stability for individuals and families facing financial hardship. Whether through federal assistance initiatives like the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program or local emergency efforts, these programs provide essential support to help pay rent and afford housing costs.

To find out what programs best suit your needs, you can always seek legal aid, visit the HUD or contact your local housing authority.