Rent Assistance Options.
Find assistance to pay your rent.
In the unfortunate case you need help in paying your rent, it is important to know that the government or other organizations offer different programs designed to help you out. Even if your landlord faces foreclosure and you’re being evicted, it is important to read the tenant – landlord foreclosure rights, so you can know exactly what your rights are.
1. State Assistance Organizations & Programs
There are many local government and state agencies and organizations such as RAFT in Massachusetts, TDHCA rent assistance program in Texas, the Florida EFAHP program, the Connecticut RAP, etc., that can help you with paying your rent and other housing expenses. To find rent help, get in touch with your state Assistance Agencies & Programs, and/or your local community action agency.
2. Rent Assistance from Federal Stimulus Program
With the federal stimulus program, the government provides billions in financial aid for rent and housing assistance. The Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program is the program being funded by the federal government. Search for rent assistance programs in your city & state.
3. Rent Assistance from Federal Government Organizations
A. HUD (Housing and Urban Development)
This program is being used by more than 1.5 million families across the U.S to help them pay rent. The government Rental Voucher Program also increases affordable housing options by giving families the ability to select rental housing that’s privately owned, in addition to offering grants that help with rent.
B. USDA Rural Development
This program offers rental assistance for low-income rural families, elderly and the disabled.
C. Families of veterans and veterans themselves can get help with paying rent
The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program run by the federal government provides vouchers for rental assistance as well as security deposit assistance to veterans and their families.
D. Free legal advice to prevent evictions
The Legal Services Corp, is an organization funded by the federal government in order to offer free legal assistance and advice to those that deal with eviction notices. More than 1 million people benefit from this program.
E. Apply for private grants or government grants
There is a wide variety of private organizations that offer grants that can help people pay their rent, not to mention government grants.
4. Eviction Prevention Programs
Many local and state governments, charities, non profit organizations, and of course the federal government offer programs that prevent eviction for moderate and low income individuals and families. Many of these programs provide resources such as mediation, conflict resolutions, landlord and tenant assessments, and other types of rental help. They also try to prevent evictions and lawsuits associated with it. Some even go as far as trying to stop foreclosures!
5. Short Term Loans
Credit Unions now offer a relatively new low interest loan product called the Salary Advance Loan to people in need of fast cash, and they can use it to pay for their rent. Payday loans is another option to help with rent, but the problem with them is that their interest rate is pretty high. And at last but certainly not least, there is Peer to Peer lending where you receive loans from different social networks and at lower interest rates than payday loans and/or banks.
6. Rent Help from Charities and Other Local Resources
There are quite a few religious, community and charitable organizations that might have funds to help those who are currently struggling financially. If you are undergoing financial hardship and are struggling to make ends meet, consider contacting a community and local agencies that might be able to help you with your rent. Some organizations and charities can assist with utility and heating payments. Help provided is a lot of the time one-time-only, or provided on a first-come-first-served basis, so over the long term, it’s not a good idea to depend on them long term. If you need rent assistance give a call to one of these organizations today and they might be able to provide you with the assistance you need. Or if they don’t provide the assistance you’re looking for, they might refer you to an agency that does.