If you’re struggling to pay rent, facing eviction, or falling behind on housing expenses, you’re not alone — and help is available.
Rental assistance programs exist at the federal, state, and local levels to help individuals and families stay housed and recover from financial hardship. Whether you’ve experienced a job loss, illness, or just can’t keep up with rising costs, support is within reach.
What Is Rental Assistance?
Rental assistance programs are designed to:
- Help tenants catch up on past-due rent
- Prevent eviction and homelessness
- Support low-income and fixed-income households
- Provide temporary financial support during difficult times
Types of assistance include:
- Monthly rental subsidies
- One-time emergency rent payments
- Future rent support
- Security deposit or relocation grants
- Eviction protection and legal aid
Federal Rental Assistance Programs
1. Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury to provide help with:
- Past-due rent
- Current and future rent payments
- Utility bills related to housing
- Preventing eviction
➡️ Learn more from the U.S. Treasury’s ERAP Program Page
Each state and local government runs its own ERAP portal. You must apply through your local housing authority or state portal.
2. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
This program provides long-term rental assistance for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
If approved, you’ll pay a portion of your income toward rent, and the government pays the rest directly to your landlord.
➡️ Learn more and find your local PHA through the HUD Section 8 Program
Note: Section 8 waitlists can be long. Apply early and monitor your local housing authority’s availability.
3. Public Housing and Subsidized Housing
In addition to Section 8, HUD also operates public housing developments and subsidized private housing.
➡️ Learn more at the HUD Public Housing Assistance Page
Rental assistance programs exist at the federal, state, and local levels to help individuals and families stay housed and recover from financial hardship. Whether you’ve experienced a job loss, illness, or just can’t keep up with rising costs, support is within reach.
At RTO-Listings, our goal is to connect you with the right programs based on your location, income, and housing situation.
State & Local Rental Assistance Programs
Most states and counties offer their own rental relief programs — either as extensions of federal funding or through state-allocated emergency funds.
Examples include:
California Rent Relief
Housing Is Key Program – Offers rental, utility, and eviction-prevention support to eligible Californians.
New York Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
New York ERAP Portal – Provides up to 15 months of rent and utility help.
Texas Rent Relief
TexasRentRelief.com – Offers both rent and utility assistance for low-income Texans affected by COVID or financial hardship.
Florida Our Florida Program (Program has closed but check for local reopenings)
Florida Housing Resources – Lists updated state and local relief options.
Find Local Programs by State
Use the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s searchable tool to find rental assistance programs by state or city:
➡️ NLIHC State Program Lookup Tool
Do You Qualify?
You may qualify for rental assistance if:
- Your household income is below 80% of your area’s median income (AMI)
- You’re behind on rent or at risk of eviction
- Someone in your household experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 or another crisis
- You already receive public benefits (e.g., SNAP, TANF, SSI, Medicaid)
- You live in subsidized housing or mobile homes
Rental assistance programs exist at the federal, state, and local levels to help individuals and families stay housed and recover from financial hardship. Whether you’ve experienced a job loss, illness, or just can’t keep up with rising costs, support is within reach.
At Resource Help Online, our goal is to connect you with the right programs based on your location, income, and housing situation.
What You’ll Need to Apply:
Most programs require:
- A government-issued ID
- Proof of income (e.g., pay stubs, unemployment letter)
- Lease or rental agreement
- Documentation of overdue rent or eviction notice
- Landlord’s contact information
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
If you’re behind on rent or facing eviction, don’t wait — many programs are first-come, first-served and have limited funds remaining.
Whether you need one-time help, monthly rent support, or just a fresh start, there’s a program that can help.
Let us help you find the right path to stay in your home.