Maya Chen
If you need help with your rent, you may be entitled to financial assistance or housing stability services. There are various programs available to help renters facing eviction, including the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA), Housing Choice Vouchers (also known as Section 8), and local state and tribal government initiatives. To access these programs, you can contact your local Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or call 211 to speak with a specialist who can direct you to the appropriate resources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who to contact | Call 211 or search for state and local emergency rental assistance programs. |
| Who is eligible | Eligibility rules vary by state and local government. |
| What to expect | You may be referred to a community or nonprofit organization that can help if you do not qualify for a government program. |
| Additional help | Contact your local Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for rental housing counseling. |
| Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program | A program that helps you afford housing by paying part of your rent. |
| HCV application fees | Some landlords may require application fees, and some Public Housing Agencies require voucher holders to pay for a unit's security deposit. |
| HCV minimum rent | Tenants are required to pay a minimum rent, typically between $25 and $50 per month, set by the Public Housing Agency (PHA) regardless of the tenant's income. |
| HCV financial hardship exemptions | If you are facing financial hardship, you may request a financial hardship exemption. The PHA will then assess your situation and determine whether you qualify for a temporary or long-term exemption. |
| HCV review process | Tenants typically have 10-14 days to submit a written request for an informal review or hearing. |
| Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) | A program that provides economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of homelessness or housing instability by providing rental and utility arrears assistance. |
| ERAP eligibility | Household gross income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). |
| ERAP application requirements | Personal identification, Social Security number of household members, proof of rental amount, and signed lease. |
| Weatherization Assistance Programs | Administered by the US Department of Energy, these programs provide home weatherization services for income-eligible households living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. |
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What You'll Learn
Rental assistance programs
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, also known as Section 8, helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities to afford privately-owned housing. The vouchers can be used for single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. The local housing agency calculates the Family Rent Portion, or Total Tenant Payment (TTP), which is the minimum amount the tenant will pay, usually 30% of their adjusted monthly income. The remaining amount is paid by the local housing agency, up to a maximum.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA) has two separate programs: ERA1 and ERA2. ERA1 provided $25 billion in financial assistance and housing stability services to eligible households. ERA2 provides $21.55 billion in financial assistance, housing stability services, and funds to cover the costs of other affordable rental housing and eviction prevention activities.
Local Assistance
Local organizations, such as town halls, representative offices, libraries, and cultural centers, may be able to provide information on rental assistance programs in your area. Additionally, you can call 211 to speak to a local specialist about rental assistance resources and housing counseling.
Weatherization Assistance Programs
The US Department of Energy administers Weatherization Assistance Programs, which provide home weatherization services to reduce energy costs for income-eligible households. These programs are available to renters who obtain landlord permission.
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Housing choice vouchers
The program empowers eligible families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities to choose their own safe, suitable, and affordable housing in a community that best meets their needs. The vouchers can be used to rent in the private market, offering greater flexibility and choice in where they live.
To qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. A family's annual income and family size determine eligibility under the program. The local housing agency calculates the Family Rent Portion, sometimes referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP), which is the minimum the renter will pay. This is usually 30% of the adjusted monthly income, but can be as high as 40%.
After being selected from the waitlist and receiving a voucher, it is the participant's responsibility to find a home. The participant must then complete the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) packet to start the approval review process, which the landlord must also complete and sign portions of. The Public Housing Agency will then contact the landlord to schedule an inspection of the unit and determine if the proposed rent is reasonable for the area.
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Emergency Rental Assistance Program
If you are facing eviction or struggling to pay your rent, you may be eligible for rental assistance. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA) is a US Department of the Treasury initiative that provides funding to eligible renters to support housing stability.
The ERA consists of two separate programs: ERA1 and ERA2. ERA1 was authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and provided $25 billion in financial assistance and housing stability services to eligible households. ERA2 was authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and offers $21.55 billion in financial assistance and housing stability services, as well as covering the costs of other affordable rental housing and eviction prevention activities. Combined, these programs have provided over $46 billion in support to eligible renters facing eviction, with a focus on low-income renters and renters of color.
To access rental assistance, you can start by contacting your local government offices, such as your town hall or representative's office, or visiting organizations like your local library or cultural center. They can provide information on rental assistance programs in your area and direct you to the appropriate resources. Additionally, you can call 211 from any phone or visit their website to speak to a local specialist and learn about rental assistance options near you.
If you are a resident of New York State, you can apply for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). This program provides rental and utility arrears assistance to low and moderate-income households at risk of homelessness or housing instability. New York residents with a household gross income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) may be eligible for this program. However, please note that fraudulent websites claiming to be collecting ERAP information exist, so be sure to only use the official New York State ERAP Portal to access your account and share information.
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Housing counselling
If you need help with your rent, you can contact a housing counsellor to help you find resources in your area and make a plan. Some HUD-approved housing counselling agencies offer low- or no-cost rental housing counselling. You can find your local Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) participating counselling agency by calling 211 or searching online.
If you are facing eviction or struggling to keep up with rent and other bills, a housing counsellor can help you understand your rights and find resources in your area. They can also help you make a plan to address your housing needs. Housing counsellors can provide information on rental assistance programs, housing choice vouchers, and other options that may be available to you.
When you contact a housing counsellor, be prepared to answer questions about your current living situation, your income, and any dependents you have. They may also ask about your tenancy agreement and whether you have spoken to your landlord about your options. It is a good idea to have this information to hand so that the counsellor can best advise you.
If you are interested in rental housing counselling, be sure to review the services offered by the agency to ensure that rental counselling is included. Not all housing counsellors offer this service, so it is important to check before proceeding.
In addition to local housing counsellors, you can also contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) directly. They offer programs to help pay rent, including subsidized housing and housing choice vouchers. Subsidized housing involves the government paying apartment owners to offer reduced rents to low-income tenants. Housing choice vouchers, also known as Section 8, can be used to pay for all or part of the rent of privately owned housing for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
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Debt collectors and renters' rights
If you are struggling to keep up with rent payments, there are a number of options available to you. State and local organizations may have programs to help renters facing eviction, and you can search for rental assistance in your town, city, county, state, or Tribal area. You can also contact local government offices, such as your town hall or representative's office, or visit organizations like your local library or cultural center. Additionally, you can call 211 to speak to a local specialist or search their website for rental assistance resources near you. Some HUD-approved housing counseling agencies offer low- or no-cost rental housing counseling, and you can also apply for subsidized housing or housing choice vouchers to help with rental costs.
When it comes to debt collectors and renters' rights, it is important to understand your rights and protections. If you owe money for rent, your landlord may hire a collection agency to collect the debt. However, debt collectors are not allowed to use unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices to try and collect the debt. This includes harassment, false or misleading statements, or misrepresenting your rights under any applicable eviction moratorium, such as the CDC's moratorium during the pandemic. If you believe a debt collector is using unfair practices, you can submit a complaint or call (855) 411-2372.
You have the right to dispute a debt collection claim. If you receive contact from a debt collector, you are legally entitled to certain information in writing within five days, including proof of the debt if requested in writing within 30 days. This is known as a Debt Validation Letter and is your official, legal demand declaring your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If the debt is not validated within 30 days, the debt collector will assume the account is valid. Sending a Debt Validation Letter can often deter debt collectors from pursuing the debt further, as it takes time and resources to validate the debt.
It is important to note that negative rental information, such as records of eviction filings or rental payments in debt collection, can impact your ability to find rental housing in the future. Therefore, understanding your rights and protections as a renter is crucial when dealing with debt collectors.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for those struggling to keep up with rent payments. You can contact your state's 211 program to find emergency help with your rent payments. You can also search for state and local emergency rental assistance programs. If you are facing financial hardship, you may be able to request a financial hardship exemption from your Public Housing Agency (PHA). Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers programs to help pay rent, such as subsidized housing and housing choice vouchers.
The Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV), also known as Section 8, helps you afford housing by paying a portion of your rent. The amount you pay is typically between 30-40% of your adjusted monthly income. Landlords are almost guaranteed to receive rent payments through this program, even if your income decreases.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA) provides financial assistance and housing stability services to eligible households. There are two types of ERA programs: ERA1, which provided $25 billion in assistance, and ERA2, which provided $21.55 billion. ERA has helped prevent millions of evictions since the onset of the pandemic.
