How To Get Housing Assistance: Where to Start and What to Do Next

Housing help usually starts at your local housing authority, social services office, or 211 helpline, not at a single national office. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official government or nonprofit channels to apply or check your status.

Housing assistance typically means help paying rent, finding an affordable unit, preventing eviction, or getting emergency shelter. Different programs cover different needs, so your first task is to match your situation to the right type of help.

Fast Answer: The Main Ways People Get Housing Help

Most housing assistance in the U.S. comes through these common routes:

  • Local public housing authority (PHA) – Manages Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based Section 8, and public housing.
  • State or county human services / social services department – Often runs Emergency Rental Assistance, homelessness prevention, and related supports.
  • Local Continuum of Care (CoC) or homeless services network – Connects people experiencing homelessness with shelters, rapid rehousing, or supportive housing.
  • 211 helpline – Connects callers and website users with local housing and utility assistance programs.

Your quickest starting action is usually: search “[your county] housing authority” or dial 211, then ask about rental assistance, Section 8, and emergency housing options.

Terms to know (plain language):

  • Section 8 Voucher – A federal subsidy that pays part of your rent to a private landlord.
  • Public Housing – Apartments or homes owned by a housing authority with reduced rent.
  • Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) – Short-term help paying past-due or upcoming rent and sometimes utilities.
  • Continuum of Care (CoC) – Local network coordinating programs for people who are homeless or at risk.

Programs vary by state and county, so the exact office and application process will differ; if you are unsure, call 211 or your county human services department and ask which office handles rental and housing assistance applications.

Does Housing Assistance Apply to You?

You do not need to be homeless to seek housing assistance. Common situations that often qualify for some type of help include:

  • Very low income compared to your area’s median income.
  • Behind on rent or facing an eviction notice.
  • Living in unsafe or uninhabitable conditions with no reasonable alternative.
  • Experiencing homelessness, including staying in a shelter, car, or outdoors.
  • Leaving domestic violence or another unsafe home situation.

Most programs look at some combination of:

  • Income (usually compared to Area Median Income)
  • Household size and composition (children, seniors, disability)
  • Housing status (housed, doubled-up, in shelter, unsheltered)
  • Immigration status (rules vary by program, especially for federal assistance)

No program can be guaranteed, but the more serious and urgent your housing instability, and the lower your income, the more likely you are to qualify for some form of help.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Contact an Office

You typically do not need everything perfect before you call or walk in, but having basic information ready speeds things up and reduces delays.

Commonly required documents or details:

  • ID for adults: State ID, driver’s license, or other photo ID.
  • Proof of income: Recent pay stubs, benefit award letters (SSI, SSDI, TANF, unemployment), or a letter explaining no income.
  • Proof of residency: Lease, utility bill, or a written statement if homeless or doubled-up.
  • Rent details: Lease agreement, written rent amount, and landlord contact info.
  • Eviction or late notices: Court papers, notice to vacate, or demand letters (if any).
  • Household information: Names, dates of birth, and basic info for everyone in the household.

Real-world friction to watch for: A common reason applications get delayed is missing or unclear documentation—especially proof of income or a formal lease—so ask the worker directly, “If I can’t get a copy of X, what else can I use instead?” and write down their answer.

If you do not have some of these items, do not wait indefinitely. Contact the office and explain what you are missing; they frequently accept alternative proof such as a letter from a landlord, shelter verification, or a self-declaration form for income in some cases.

Your Next Steps: How to Actually Seek Housing Assistance

Use this step sequence to move from “I need help” to being in an active process with the right office.

1. Identify your main housing need

Decide which statement best matches you:

  1. “I need long-term affordable rent.”
    → You likely want Section 8 vouchers or public housing.

  2. “I’m behind on rent or about to be evicted.”
    → You likely want Emergency Rental Assistance or eviction prevention.

  3. “I have nowhere safe to stay or will lose housing very soon.”
    → You likely need shelter access, rapid rehousing, or crisis services.

2. Contact the right primary office

Use one or more of these routes:

  1. For Section 8 / public housing

    • Search online: “[your city] public housing authority” or “[your county] PHA”.
    • On the PHA’s official site (usually a .gov or a clearly labeled authority), look for “Apply,” “Section 8,” or “Housing Choice Voucher.”

  2. For emergency rent or utilities

    • Contact your county or state human services / social services department (search “[your county] human services rental assistance”).
    • Ask specifically: “Do you have an Emergency Rental Assistance or homelessness prevention program I can apply for?”

  3. For shelter or immediate crisis housing

    • Dial 211 or visit the official 211.org site, then search for housing or shelter.
    • Ask for your area’s homeless services access point or Coordinated Entry location or phone number.

Sample phone script:
“Hi, my name is [name]. I live in [city/county], and I’m looking for housing assistance. I’m [behind on rent / at risk of eviction / homeless / looking for Section 8]. Can you tell me which programs I might qualify for and how to start an application?”

3. Start the application or intake process

Typically, you will be asked to:

  1. Complete an application or intake form – Online, on paper, or by phone.

    • Action:Fill it out completely and honestly, including all household members and income.

  2. Provide documents – Uploaded online, mailed, or delivered in person.

    • Action:Submit every document requested and ask if they received it.

  3. Attend an interview or appointment (sometimes) – In person or by phone.

    • What to expect next: A caseworker or staff member may review your situation, verify details, and explain which programs you are being considered for.

Processing times, waiting lists, and outcomes vary widely, and no result is guaranteed, but being responsive to calls, letters, and emails typically helps your case move faster.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Because housing assistance involves money and personal information, take basic safety steps.

Key safety tips:

  • Do not pay anyone a fee to apply for Section 8, public housing, or government rental assistance; legitimate programs generally do not charge an application fee.
  • Use only official websites (usually ending in .gov or clearly identified as a public housing authority or government agency) for online applications.
  • Be cautious with “guaranteed approval” offers from private individuals or companies; official programs never guarantee you a voucher or payment in advance.
  • Protect personal data: Only give your Social Security number, bank details, or ID copies to recognized agencies or nonprofits referred by 211 or a government office.
  • If someone promises to “move you to the top of the list” for cash, treat that as a red flag and contact your housing authority directly to verify.

If a program sounds questionable, ask, “Are you a government office or a nonprofit funded by the city/state?” and cross-check their name on your city, county, or state’s official website.

If One Option Doesn’t Work: Backup Paths to Try

Waiting lists, closed applications, or denials are common with housing programs; being turned down once does not mean no help is available at all.

If this happens → do this:

  • Section 8 waiting list is closed → Ask if you can sign up for notifications when it reopens and apply to housing authorities in nearby cities or counties that accept out-of-area applicants.
  • Denied for one rental assistance program → Ask for the reason in writing and whether there are other programs with different rules (for example, programs run by nonprofits or churches the agency can refer you to).
  • Shelters are full → Ask 211 or your local homeless services line about overflow options, hotel/motel vouchers where available, or waitlists at different shelters.

You can also:

  • Search your state’s official housing agency or housing finance agency website for any open housing or rental assistance programs.
  • Use the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency” tool on the official HUD website to locate PHAs near you.
  • Use the locator on the official HUD Exchange or local government sites to find Continuums of Care and Coordinated Entry points.

Quick Summary: How to Get Housing Assistance

  • Do this first:Call 211 or your local housing authority / human services office to ask which housing and rental assistance programs are currently available.
  • Match your need: Long-term affordability → Section 8 / public housing; behind on rent → Emergency Rental Assistance; no safe place to stay → shelter / rapid rehousing.
  • Have ready:ID, proof of income, lease and rent info, eviction/late notices, and household details; if missing, ask what substitutes are accepted.
  • Expect: An application, document checks, and sometimes an interview or intake, followed by waitlists or a decision—no guarantees.
  • Stay safe:Never pay for applications, avoid “guaranteed approval” offers, and use only official government or 211 referrals.

Once you have identified your local housing authority, human services office, or 211 access point and gathered your basic documents, your next concrete step is to contact them directly and begin the intake or application they recommend.