Rental assistance is any government or nonprofit program that helps households pay for housing they could not otherwise afford. Whether you are behind on rent, facing eviction, or simply spending too much of your income on housing, rental assistance programs exist to help you stay housed.
This guide from House for Homeless explains what rental assistance is, the different types available, who qualifies, and how to access the right program for your situation.
Need help with rent right now? Call 211 to reach rental assistance programs in your area. If you have received an eviction notice, tell the operator — programs that can help you fastest are often prioritized for households with active eviction cases. Veterans can call 877-424-3838.
What Is Rental Assistance?
Rental assistance is financial help provided to renters who cannot afford their housing costs. This help can take several forms — a monthly subsidy that lowers your rent permanently, a one-time payment that clears past-due rent to prevent eviction, or short-term support while you stabilize your finances.
Rental assistance programs are funded primarily by the federal government through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Treasury Department, and administered locally by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), state agencies, county offices, and nonprofit organizations.
The goal of rental assistance is straightforward: keep people housed. Stable housing is the foundation for everything else — employment, health, education, and family wellbeing.
Why Rental Assistance Matters
According to HUD, more than 10 million renter households in the United States are severely cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 50% of their income on rent. For these households, a single unexpected expense or reduction in income can quickly lead to missed rent payments and eviction.
Eviction has serious long-term consequences. An eviction record makes it significantly harder to rent in the future, can affect employment opportunities, and often leads to homelessness. Rental assistance programs intervene before that point — helping households stabilize before a temporary crisis becomes a long-term housing emergency.
Types of Rental Assistance Programs
Rental assistance is not a single program. It is a system of programs, each designed for a specific situation or income level. Understanding the types helps you find the right fit.
1. Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher program — commonly called Section 8 — is the largest federal rental assistance program in the United States. It provides ongoing monthly rental subsidies to very low-income households, allowing them to rent private-market housing at a cost they can afford.
Under this program, you pay 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent. The voucher covers the rest, up to your local PHA’s Payment Standard.
Section 8 is long-term assistance — once you have a voucher, you keep it as long as you remain eligible. The challenge is access: waitlists are often years long, and many PHAs keep their lists closed.
For a full breakdown of how Section 8 works, see our guide on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
2. Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)
Emergency Rental Assistance programs provide short-term financial help to households that have fallen behind on rent due to a financial crisis. ERA pays landlords directly — covering past-due rent, current rent, and sometimes future rent and utility bills.
ERA is designed for people who are facing eviction due to a temporary hardship, not for people with ongoing low income who need permanent help. Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks, and funds go directly to your landlord.
For everything you need to know, see our complete guide on what emergency rental assistance is and how to apply for ERA.
3. Public Housing
Public housing consists of government-owned rental units rented to low-income households at reduced rates. Unlike Section 8, where you find your own rental in the private market, public housing places you in a unit owned and managed by your local PHA.
Rent in public housing is set at 30% of your income, similar to Section 8. Waitlists for public housing are often just as long as for vouchers in high-demand areas.
4. Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)
Project-Based Rental Assistance ties rental subsidies to specific housing units rather than to individual households. If you qualify and move into a PBRA unit, you pay 30% of your income toward rent and the program pays the rest. The assistance stays with the unit — if you move, you lose the subsidy.
PBRA units are commonly found in affordable housing developments. They are administered by HUD and state housing agencies.
5. Rapid Rehousing
Rapid rehousing programs help people who are currently homeless move into permanent housing as quickly as possible. They provide short-term rental assistance — typically 3–12 months — along with case management services to help residents find employment, improve credit, and build the stability needed to maintain housing independently.
Rapid rehousing is funded through HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program and administered by local Continuums of Care. Contact your local CoC or call 211 to access rapid rehousing referrals.
6. Transitional Housing with Rental Assistance
Transitional housing programs provide structured housing for 6–24 months, combined with rental assistance and intensive support services. These are designed for people who need more time and structure before they are ready to maintain housing independently.
Transitional housing bridges the gap between emergency shelters and permanent housing.
7. State and Local Rental Assistance Programs
Beyond federal programs, many states, counties, and cities operate their own rental assistance programs using state general funds or local appropriations. These vary widely — some are one-time grants, some provide ongoing subsidies, and some target specific populations such as seniors, people with disabilities, or families with children.
Call 211 or contact your local community action agency to find out what state and local programs are available in your area.
8. Nonprofit and Faith-Based Rental Assistance
Many local nonprofits and faith-based organizations provide small rental assistance grants — typically one month’s rent — to help households in crisis. These are not government programs, but they can fill gaps when government programs have waitlists or funding shortfalls.
Programs like the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and local Community Action Agencies often provide this type of short-term help.
Types of Rental Assistance at a Glance
| Program | Duration | Best For | How to Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 8 / HCV | Ongoing | Long-term low income | Apply to local PHA |
| Emergency Rental Assistance | Short-term | Behind on rent, facing eviction | Apply to local ERA program |
| Public Housing | Ongoing | Long-term low income | Apply to local PHA |
| Project-Based Rental Assistance | Ongoing (tied to unit) | Low income, need stable unit | Contact PBRA properties directly |
| Rapid Rehousing | 3–12 months | Currently homeless | Call 211 or contact local CoC |
| Transitional Housing | 6–24 months | Homeless, need structure | Call 211 or contact local CoC |
| State/Local Programs | Varies | Varies by program | Call 211 or state housing agency |
| Nonprofit/Faith-Based | One-time | Immediate short-term crisis | Contact local nonprofits |
Who Qualifies for Rental Assistance?
Eligibility varies by program, but most rental assistance programs consider the following factors.
Income
Most programs use the Area Median Income (AMI) for your location as the benchmark for eligibility.
| Program | Typical Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Section 8 / HCV | At or below 50% of AMI |
| Emergency Rental Assistance | At or below 80% of AMI |
| Public Housing | At or below 80% of AMI (priority to those below 50%) |
| Rapid Rehousing | Very low income; currently homeless |
| State programs | Varies — often 60–80% of AMI |
Renter Status
All rental assistance programs require you to be a renter — not a homeowner. You must have a lease or rental agreement. Some programs also accept informal rental arrangements with a signed letter from the property owner.
Financial Hardship
Emergency programs require evidence of financial hardship — job loss, medical expenses, reduced income, or any circumstance that has made rent unaffordable. Many programs accept a written self-attestation in place of formal documentation.
Housing Instability
Most programs require you to demonstrate housing instability — meaning you are behind on rent, have received an eviction notice, or are at imminent risk of losing your housing.
What Does Rental Assistance Cover?
Coverage depends on the program. Here is what the most common programs pay for:
| Expense | ERA | Section 8 | Rapid Rehousing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past-due rent | ✓ | — | — |
| Current rent | ✓ | ✓ (ongoing) | ✓ (short-term) |
| Future rent | ✓ (up to 3 months) | ✓ (ongoing) | ✓ |
| Utility arrears | ✓ Often | — | Sometimes |
| Security deposit | Rarely | — | Sometimes |
| Moving costs | Some programs | — | Sometimes |
| Hotel/motel stays | — | — | — |
For hotel and motel voucher assistance, see our guide to housing voucher programs.
How to Apply for Rental Assistance
The application process varies by program. Here are the fastest paths based on your situation.
If you are behind on rent and facing eviction
Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance immediately. This is the fastest type of rental assistance to access — decisions typically come within 2–6 weeks, and having an eviction notice often expedites the process.
- Call 211 and ask for ERA programs in your area
- Visit the CFPB rental assistance finder
- See our full guide: How to Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance
If you have low income and need long-term rent help
Apply to your local PHA for the Section 8 waitlist and public housing simultaneously.
- Find your local PHA at HUD’s PHA directory
- Apply to multiple PHAs — you can be on several waitlists at once
- Ask about priority status if you are homeless, a veteran, or have a disability
If you are currently homeless
Contact your local Continuum of Care (CoC) for rapid rehousing referrals and call 211 to find emergency shelter while you wait for housing placement.
Rental Assistance Guides on This Site
| Topic | Guide |
|---|---|
| What is ERA and how it works | What Is Emergency Rental Assistance? |
| How to apply for ERA step by step | Step-by-step ERA application guide |
| Maximum rent assistance available | What Is the Maximum Rent Assistance You Can Get? |
| Getting help when behind on rent | How to Get Help Paying Rent |
| Rental help for single mothers | Rental Assistance for Single Mothers |
| When landlords refuse ERA | Can Landlords Refuse Rental Assistance? |
| Avoiding eviction | Eviction Prevention Programs |
| Help with no income | Rental Assistance for People With No Income |
| Programs by state | Rental Assistance Programs by State |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest rental assistance program to access?
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) is typically the fastest. Most programs process applications within 2–6 weeks. If you have an active eviction notice or court date, tell the program office — many expedite reviews for households facing imminent eviction. Section 8 vouchers, by contrast, can take years to obtain due to long waitlists.
Can I get rental assistance if I have no income?
Yes, in many cases. Zero-income households often have the highest priority under low-income housing programs because they have the greatest need. Most programs accept a signed zero-income declaration in place of income documentation. See our dedicated guide covering zero-income households at /rental-assistance/no-income/.
Does rental assistance cover back rent?
Yes — Emergency Rental Assistance specifically covers past-due rent (arrears). Most programs can cover up to 12 months of back rent. Section 8 and public housing do not cover back rent; they provide ongoing monthly assistance going forward.
Is rental assistance the same as Section 8?
No. Section 8 is one type of rental assistance — an ongoing monthly subsidy for long-term low-income households. Rental assistance is a broader term that includes emergency programs, public housing, rapid rehousing, and many other types of help.
Can I get rental assistance more than once?
For ERA, most programs limit total lifetime assistance to 12–18 months. Section 8 and public housing are ongoing programs with no time limits as long as you remain eligible. Nonprofit one-time grants are typically available once per household per year.
Does my landlord have to agree to accept rental assistance?
For ERA, most programs require your landlord’s participation — they need to confirm the rent owed and accept direct payment. If your landlord refuses, some ERA programs can pay you directly. For Section 8, landlords are not legally required to accept vouchers in most states, though an increasing number of cities and states have enacted source-of-income protections. See our guide on whether landlords can refuse rental assistance.
Will rental assistance affect my SNAP or Medicaid benefits?
Generally no. Rental assistance subsidies and ERA payments are typically not counted as income for SNAP or Medicaid eligibility purposes. However, rules can vary — a benefits counselor can advise on your specific situation at no cost.
How do I find rental assistance programs in my state?
Call 211 — the fastest route to local program information. You can also use the CFPB’s emergency rental assistance finder or visit benefits.gov to search programs by state. Our guide to rental assistance programs by state also lists programs as they are verified.