Housing is the biggest expense for most households, and affordable options can be hard to find. There is no single application for all housing help. Instead, different programs are run by local housing authorities, states, cities and nonprofits. This guide explains the main types of help and the first steps to take, including what to do if you are behind on rent.
Facing eviction? Act now
- Never ignore court papers. Respond by the deadline and attend the hearing.
- Contact a legal aid office. Find one at LawHelp.org.
- Dial 211 to ask about emergency rental help and local mediation programs.
- Talk to your landlord in writing about a payment plan.
Main types of affordable housing help
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
A voucher helps pay your rent in a privately owned home you choose, as long as it meets program standards. You generally pay a portion of your income toward rent and the voucher covers the rest, up to a limit. Vouchers are run by local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). Demand far exceeds supply, so waiting lists are long and are often closed or opened by lottery. Check your local PHA’s website or call to learn when applications open.
Public housing
Public housing consists of apartments or homes owned and managed by the PHA, with rent based on your income. You apply to the PHA, and waiting lists are common.
Subsidized and income-restricted apartments
Many privately owned apartment communities receive federal or state support in exchange for keeping rents affordable, including properties built with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. You apply directly to the property manager, and some of these buildings have shorter waits than vouchers. HUD offers an online resource locator that can help you find properties in your area.
Housing for older adults and people with disabilities
HUD supports properties designed for older adults and for people with disabilities, which often have separate waiting lists. Ask your PHA about these options.
How to apply for housing assistance
- Find your local PHA. Start at HUD’s rental assistance page or dial 211.
- Ask which lists are open. Apply to every list you qualify for, in more than one area if you are able to move.
- Gather documents. Typically ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and information about household members.
- Keep your contact information current. Missed mail from a housing authority is the most common reason people are dropped from a waiting list.
- Check your status regularly, and respond promptly when you are contacted.
Eligibility is generally based on your household’s income compared with the area median income, your household size and eligible citizenship or immigration status. Rules vary by program, so confirm with the PHA.
Help if you are behind on rent or at risk of losing your home
- 211 can connect you to local emergency rental or homelessness-prevention programs. The large federal emergency rental assistance funds created during the pandemic have largely been spent, but local help still exists in many places.
- Legal aid can explain your rights, help you respond to an eviction case and sometimes negotiate with your landlord.
- Court mediation and diversion programs in many areas help landlords and tenants reach agreements before eviction.
- Charities and faith-based groups sometimes provide one-time rent or deposit assistance.
Free housing counseling
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies provide free or low-cost advice on renting, budgeting, avoiding foreclosure and buying a home. Use the CFPB housing counselor search or call HUD’s housing counseling line at 1-800-569-4287.
If you need shelter now or are leaving an unsafe home
Dial 211 to find shelters and emergency housing in your area. If you are fleeing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233, or you can visit thehotline.org.
Ways to reduce housing costs right now
- Consider a roommate or shared housing to split rent and utilities.
- Ask your landlord about a rent reduction, a longer lease in exchange for a lower rate, or a payment-date change that matches your pay schedule.
- Look for utility assistance, which frees up money for rent. See how to get help with utility bills.
Scam warning
Applying for housing assistance is free. Never pay anyone to “move you up” a waiting list or to apply for a voucher. See how to avoid assistance scams.
Official sources
How this guide differs from emergency rent help
This guide is the longer-term overview: it explains vouchers, public housing and subsidised apartments, and how to join their waiting lists.
Emergency rent help, by contrast, is for the immediate situation: being behind on rent, facing eviction, or needing shelter now. It points to 211, legal aid, mediation and one-time help, rather than to waiting lists for a longer-term home.
Frequently asked questions
Do I apply once for all housing help? No. There is no single application for all housing help. Different programmes are run by local housing authorities, states, cities and nonprofits, so apply to each programme or waiting list separately.
Why are waiting lists so long? Demand far exceeds supply for vouchers, and waiting lists are long and often closed or opened by lottery. Apply to every list you qualify for, in more than one area if you are able to move.
What if I miss a letter from a housing authority? Keep your contact information current, check your status regularly and respond promptly. Missed mail is the most common reason people are dropped from a waiting list.
Is it free to apply? Yes. Applying for housing assistance is free. Never pay anyone to move you up a waiting list or to apply for a voucher.
Where can I get free advice? HUD-approved housing counseling agencies provide free or low cost advice on renting, budgeting, avoiding foreclosure and buying a home. Use the CFPB housing counselor search, or call HUD’s housing counseling line at 1-800-569-4287.
How this guide was researched and reviewed
The Low-Cost Finder Editorial Team prepares content from official agency and established nonprofit sources, checks it against those sources, and explains it in plain language. It is reviewed before publication and revisited when programmes change.