How to Get Help Paying Your Rent (Including Section 8 Options)

Rent help in the U.S. usually comes from local housing agencies, state programs, nonprofits, and federal programs like Section 8, not from national information sites. HowToGetAssistance.org is informational only; you must use official agencies or portals to apply or check your status.

Below is a practical overview of where to look, what to prepare, and how to move forward if you need rent assistance now.

1. Fast Answer: Where to Look First for Rent Help

You typically have four main paths for rent assistance:

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher or Public Housing through your local Public Housing Agency (PHA).
State or local emergency rental assistance programs, often run by housing, human services, or community development departments.
Nonprofit and charity aid (short-term help with back rent, move-in costs, or utilities).
Landlord negotiation and local mediation programs to prevent eviction.

Your first move should be to find your local housing or rental assistance office and see what is currently open:

Use HUD’s “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency (PHA)” tool on the HUD.gov site to get the official office and website for Section 8 and public housing in your area.
Call 211 or visit your state or county human services/housing department website for non-Section 8 rental aid.

Programs, amounts, and waitlists vary by state and even by county, so you need to confirm with your local official office what’s available right now.

2. Key Terms You’ll See (Plain Language)

A short terms callout:

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher – A long-term voucher that helps pay rent to a private landlord; you usually pay about 30% of your income and the voucher covers the rest up to a limit.
Public Housing Agency (PHA) – The local office or authority that runs Section 8 and public housing programs.
Emergency rental assistance – Short-term help with back rent, current rent, or utilities, usually to prevent eviction or homelessness.
Waitlist – A queue you join when Section 8 or public housing cannot accept more people; the list may open or close depending on funding.

Understanding these terms makes it easier to read notices, applications, and websites accurately.

3. What You’ll Typically Need Ready

Most rent assistance programs and PHAs ask for similar information. Having it gathered early can prevent delays.

Commonly required documents include:

Photo ID for all adults (state ID, driver’s license, or other official ID).
Social Security numbers (or documentation of eligible non-citizen status, if applicable).
Proof of income for the last 1–3 months: pay stubs, benefit award letters, unemployment letters, or self-employment records.
Proof of where you live: current lease, rent receipt, or letter from landlord.
Proof of rent owed or housing crisis, such as:
- Past-due rent notice
- Eviction notice or court summons
- Utility shutoff or disconnection notice (if utilities are part of your housing costs)

If you are missing a document, many programs allow alternative proof, such as written statements from employers or landlords, but you must ask the specific office what they accept.

4. Your Next Steps: Section 8 vs. Short-Term Rent Help

A. If You’re Asking About Section 8

Section 8 can make rent more affordable in the long term, but it almost always has a waitlist and is not an emergency solution.

Step-by-step for Section 8:

Find your local PHA.
Go to the HUD.gov “Public Housing Agencies” page and search by your state or city to get the official PHA website and contact information.
Check if the Section 8 waitlist is open.
On the PHA’s official site, look for “Housing Choice Voucher,” “Section 8,” or “Applicant Information.” They will usually state whether the list is open, closed, or accepting limited applications.
If open, follow their application process exactly.
- Do this next: Complete the application online, by mail, or in person only through the official PHA.
- You’ll typically provide household size, income, and contact information.
- What to expect next: You are usually placed on a waitlist and later get a letter or email about your status or an interview.
If closed, sign up for alerts if available.
Some PHAs offer an email list or website updates when the list reopens. You can also check surrounding PHAs in neighboring cities or counties; some allow applications from outside their immediate area.
Keep your contact information updated.
A common reason applications get dropped is when people move or change phone numbers and don’t update the PHA, so they miss time-sensitive letters.

Remember: getting on the waitlist does not guarantee that you will receive a voucher or when you might get one.

B. If You Need Immediate Rent Help (Short-Term)

If you are already behind on rent or facing eviction, you’ll usually focus on emergency rental assistance and local charities.

Step-by-step for short-term rent help:

Contact 211 or your local human services department.
- Call 211 (where available) or search online for your “[county] human services” or “housing stabilization” page.
- Ask specifically: “Are there any emergency rental assistance or eviction prevention programs open now?”
Ask how to apply and who runs the program.
Rental help might be run by:
- A county or city housing department
- A community action agency
- A local nonprofit contracted with the government
Submit your application with supporting documents.
- Do this next: Follow the instructions on where to upload, mail, or drop off proof of income, ID, lease, and any eviction or past-due notices.
- What to expect next: Programs typically review eligibility, may contact your landlord, and then pay the landlord or utility company directly if approved.
Stay reachable.
People often get stuck when they don’t respond to follow-up questions or requests for one more document, which can cause denial or delays. Check your voicemail and email daily.

5. Common Snags (and Quick Fixes)

Common snags (and quick fixes):

Can’t find the right office: Search “[your city or county] + housing authority” or use HUD’s PHA lookup; verify you are on a .gov or clearly official housing authority site before entering information.
Application “timed out” online: Save any confirmation numbers and, if unsure it went through, call the office and ask them to confirm receipt of your application.
Landlord won’t cooperate: Some programs require landlord participation; if a landlord refuses to sign forms, ask the program if they have a workaround or mediation service.
Income changed recently: If your income dropped, submit updated proof as soon as possible; many programs base eligibility on your current situation, not last year’s tax return.

6. Avoid Mistakes and Rent Assistance Scams

Any program involving money or housing can attract scams, so be careful.

Never pay an “application fee” for Section 8 or public housing. Legitimate PHAs do not charge for applications or to get on a waitlist.
Only use:
- Official .gov websites
- Clearly identified housing authorities
- Recognized nonprofits or community action agencies for rental aid
Be cautious of:
- Social media posts offering “instant approval” or “guaranteed vouchers”
- People asking for cash, gift cards, or wire transfers to “speed up” your application
If someone claims to be from a housing authority, you can hang up and call the number listed on the official PHA or city/county website to verify.

If you are unsure whether a site or offer is legitimate, ask the PHA or 211 to confirm before sharing personal information.

7. If Section 8 or Local Rent Aid Isn’t Available

Sometimes, Section 8 waitlists are closed and emergency rental assistance funds are exhausted. You may still have options:

Talk to your landlord in writing.
- You can say: “I want to avoid eviction. Can we set up a payment plan or temporary reduction while I apply for assistance?”
- If you reach an agreement, get it in writing, signed and dated.
Check for local mediation or eviction prevention programs.
Some cities and counties fund landlord-tenant mediation or legal aid that can help negotiate more time or a payment plan.
Legal aid or tenant organizations.
If you have received an eviction notice, search for “[your state] legal aid eviction help” or look on your state court or attorney general’s website for tenant resources.
Shelter and rapid rehousing programs (as a last resort).
If losing your housing is unavoidable, local continuums of care and shelters sometimes offer rapid rehousing or short-term help to get back into stable housing. Your local 211 or county housing office can point you to these.

Quick Summary: Getting Rent Assistance

Do this next:
1. Find your local PHA on HUD.gov to check Section 8/public housing options and waitlist status.
2. Call 211 or your county human services/housing department for current emergency rental assistance programs.
3. Gather ID, proof of income, your lease, and any eviction or past-due rent notices before you apply.
4. Submit applications only through official agencies, watch for follow-up messages, and respond quickly.
5. If programs are closed or funds are out, ask about mediation, legal aid, or rapid rehousing and try to negotiate directly with your landlord in writing.

These steps do not guarantee approval, but they align closely with how rent assistance and Section 8 systems typically operate and give you a concrete way to move forward.