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What changed
The U.S. Treasury’s pandemic Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program is no longer an application route for new ERA2-funded assistance. Treasury states that the ERA2 performance period has ended and recipients may no longer use those funds to assist renters. Today’s emergency rent help is a patchwork of smaller, local programs that often open and close as funds allow. The best approach is to contact several sources at once and ask each specifically what it can pay now.
Where emergency rent help comes from now
| Source | What it may cover | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| 211 | Referrals to local providers; confirm funding and openings directly | Dial 211 or search 211.org |
| Homelessness prevention (ESG and local funds) | Past-due rent, short-term rent, utilities, deposits for people at imminent risk of homelessness | 211, coordinated entry, local prevention agency |
| County or city human services | General assistance, one-time emergency payments | County social services office |
| TANF emergency or “diversion” payments | One-time or short-term (up to four months) cash to prevent a crisis for families with children | State TANF office |
| Community action agencies | Rent, utilities, and case management | Search your county’s community action agency |
| Charities | One-time rent help (Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, United Way, local churches and mutual aid) | Call directly; 211 can refer |
| SSVF (veterans) | Temporary financial assistance for rent, deposits, utilities, and moving for very low-income veteran families | Local SSVF provider; VA 877-424-3838 |
| HOPWA (people living with HIV) | Short-term rent, mortgage, and utility payments | Local HOPWA provider or HIV case manager |
| State eviction diversion programs | Mediation plus rent payments to settle cases | Court self-help center, legal aid |
| Employer, union, or school emergency funds | Grants for employees, members, or students | HR, union hall, financial aid office |
Who usually qualifies
Rules vary, but many programs require:
- Income limits, commonly at or below 50% or 80% of area median income. Federal ESG homelessness prevention requires income below 30% of AMI and no other resources or support networks to prevent homelessness.
- A documented crisis: a late-rent notice, eviction filing, or proof of a sudden income loss or emergency expense.
- Sustainability: evidence you can afford rent after the help ends.
- Residency in the program’s city or county.
- A lease or other proof of tenancy (some programs accept informal rental arrangements).
Programs may prioritize households with children, older adults, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, or those with a court date.
How to apply step by step
- Call 211 and say: “I’m behind on rent and have an eviction notice [or court date]. What rental assistance or homelessness prevention programs are open right now?”
- Write down every program, phone number, and requirement.
- Apply to several at once, telling each about the others. Programs can coordinate so they don’t double-pay.
- Tell your landlord in writing that you’ve applied and ask them to respond to the program. Many programs need the landlord’s W-9 and ledger.
- Ask how to follow up. Confirm that your file is complete and when you should check again.
- Keep responding to notices and court dates.
Documents to have ready
- Photo ID for adults
- Lease (or proof you live there, such as mail and a landlord statement)
- Rent ledger or statement of amount owed from the landlord
- Eviction notice or court papers, if any
- Proof of income for the past 30–90 days, or proof of job loss or reduced hours
- Proof of the crisis: medical bills, layoff letter, death certificate, car repair bill
- Landlord contact information and W-9 (the program may request it from the landlord)
- Utility bills if asking for utility help too
While you wait: protect your tenancy
- Don’t ignore court papers. File any required answer and attend every hearing. An application alone usually doesn’t stop a case.
- Ask for a written payment plan. Offer what you can pay now and show your assistance application. See talking to your landlord about late rent.
- Pay what you can and get receipts, unless a lawyer advises otherwise.
- Contact legal aid. Some jurisdictions give tenants a right to counsel in eviction cases. See facing eviction.
- In HUD-assisted housing, federal rules currently require public housing agencies and project-based Section 8 owners to give 30 days’ written notice before filing for nonpayment, including information about rental assistance.
If you’re denied
Ask for the reason in writing. Common fixable problems are missing documents, a landlord who didn’t respond, or income that looked too high or too low. Ask whether you can reapply, appeal, or be referred to another program. Call 211 again later—availability changes often.
Beyond this month
Emergency help rarely solves a long-term affordability gap. At the same time:
- Apply for Section 8, public housing, and subsidized apartments.
- Check benefits you may be missing—SNAP, Medicaid, the EITC, SSI, unemployment, child support enforcement—through a benefits screener or 211.
- Reduce other bills: LIHEAP, Lifeline, and water discount programs.
- Talk with a HUD-approved housing counselor about a budget and options.
Avoid scams
Legitimate programs don’t charge application fees, ask for gift cards or cryptocurrency, or guarantee approval. Be suspicious of social media messages offering “government rent grants.” Verify programs through 211, a .gov website, or an established nonprofit.
Frequently asked questions
Is the federal Emergency Rental Assistance program still available?
No. Treasury says ERA2 recipients may no longer use ERA2 award funds to assist renters because its performance period has ended. Be wary of websites still advertising “federal ERA” applications. Some states and cities created their own ongoing programs with other funds—ask 211 what is open now.
How much rent will programs pay?
It varies widely: some pay one month; others cover several months of arrears or a portion of future rent. Many have caps and require that the payment resolve the crisis—for example, that the landlord agrees to stop an eviction or that you can afford rent going forward.
Does the money go to me or my landlord?
Usually directly to the landlord. Some programs pay tenants directly if the landlord won’t participate. Ask the program how payment works and tell your landlord to expect contact.
Will applying stop my eviction?
Not automatically. Some states and cities pause eviction cases while a rental assistance application is pending, and a landlord may agree to wait, but you must still respond to notices and attend every court date. Ask legal aid whether local rules give you protection.
What if my landlord won’t accept rental assistance?
In some places, refusing assistance can be a defense in an eviction for nonpayment, and some programs can pay tenants directly or help with relocation. Document the refusal in writing and tell the program and legal aid.
I’m undocumented. Can I get rent help?
Some local and charitable programs don’t ask about immigration status. Federally funded programs may have restrictions. Ask each program before applying, and consult a legal aid or immigrant-rights organization if you’re unsure.
Sources and verification
Use these sources to check program rules. Funding, openings, and local procedures must be confirmed with the agency handling your application.
Update note (2026-10-01): Confirmed Treasury’s ERA2 closeout guidance; corrected local referral and prevention-program descriptions.
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program: ERA2 closeoutU.S. Department of the Treasury
- Get emergency help to pay rentUSAGov
- 24 CFR Part 576: Emergency Solutions GrantsElectronic Code of Federal Regulations
- Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Help for rentersConsumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Find legal aidLegal Services Corporation
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