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Housing assistance in Ohio

Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is administered statewide by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. You apply online or through local Energy Assistance Providers and Community Action Agencies. Since 2022, state law has barred cities from adopting rent control or rent stabilization. Public housing and vouchers come from county metropolitan housing authorities such as those in Cleveland (Cuyahoga), Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo (Lucas).

Last checked Sources

Where to apply for rental assistance and vouchers

Section 8 vouchers and public housing are run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). Each keeps its own waiting list, so apply to every agency serving places you could live. The state housing finance agency funds affordable apartments and homebuyer programs but usually does not take voucher applications.

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing AuthorityClevelandPublic housing agencyColumbus Metropolitan Housing AuthorityColumbusPublic housing agencyCincinnati Metropolitan Housing AuthorityCincinnatiPublic housing agencyLucas Metropolitan HousingToledoPublic housing agency Ohio Housing Finance AgencyStatewideHousing finance agency Every housing agency in OhioHUD directoryFind agencies serving your area

Ask each agency: Is the waiting list open? How do I apply, and how will you contact me? Never pay to apply or to move up a list. See how to apply for Section 8 and how waiting lists work.

Programs and free legal help in Ohio

Energy and utility bills

  • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (fact sheet by the Ohio Consumers' Counsel)

    A one-time winter heating credit applied to the household's main heating bill. Apply at energyhelp.ohio.gov or through a local Energy Assistance Provider. Applications for the 2026-2027 season are accepted July 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027.

Free legal help

  • Ohio Legal Help Ohio Legal Help

    Statewide site with free legal information, court forms and a lawyer finder for housing issues, including eviction, repairs, security deposits and subsidized housing.

No statewide emergency rent program? Most rent help is local. Call 211 and ask which county, charity, or community action programs are taking applications now. See emergency rental assistance.

Key tenant laws in Ohio

Statewide rules for most private rentals. Cities, counties, subsidized housing, and your lease can add protections, and some rules have exceptions. Read the linked law before relying on a deadline.

Security deposit limit

No statutory cap on the amount. On any deposit above $50 or one month's rent (whichever is greater), the landlord owes 5% annual interest on the excess if the tenant stays six months or more.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(A)

Deposit return deadline

Within 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant gives up possession, the landlord must deliver an itemized written notice of deductions with the amount due. The tenant must give a forwarding address in writing. If the landlord fails to comply, the tenant can recover the amount wrongfully withheld, plus an equal amount in damages and attorney's fees.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B)-(C)

Notice before an eviction for unpaid rent

Before filing an eviction, the landlord must give a written notice to leave the premises at least three days in advance. The notice must include specific statutory language advising the tenant to seek legal help.

Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04

Landlord entry notice

Except in emergencies or when impracticable, the landlord must give reasonable notice of intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times. 24 hours is presumed reasonable.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04(A)(8)

Rent increases and rent control

State law preempts local rent control. No political subdivision may impose rent control or rent stabilization on private rental housing (effective Sept. 23, 2022).

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19

If the landlord won’t make repairs

Rent escrow is available. After written notice, if the landlord fails to fix the problem within a reasonable time or 30 days (whichever is sooner), a tenant who is current on rent may deposit rent with the local court clerk, ask the court to order repairs, or end the lease. This does not apply to landlords with 3 or fewer units who disclose that in writing, or to student tenants.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.07

This is general information, not legal advice. If you have a notice or court papers, contact legal aid right away. See facing eviction, security deposit rights, and repairs and habitability.

Phone lines that serve Ohio

More local contacts: HUD’s Ohio resource page.

Next steps

  1. Urgent? If you need shelter tonight or have an eviction court date, start with urgent housing help.
  2. Behind on rent: call 211 and apply to several programs at once. Use our payment plan letter to propose terms to your landlord in writing.
  3. Long-term help: apply to every housing agency above, plus income-restricted apartments. Gather your documents first.
  4. Check affordability: use the rent affordability calculator or the Section 8 rent calculator.

Sources

Checked October 10, 2026. Laws, programs, and agency websites change; confirm details with the agency or court before relying on them. Report a correction.

  1. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16Ohio Legislative Service Commission
  2. Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04Ohio Legislative Service Commission
  3. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04Ohio Legislative Service Commission
  4. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19Ohio Legislative Service Commission
  5. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.07Ohio Legislative Service Commission
  6. Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) fact sheetOffice of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel
  7. Ohio Legal HelpOhio Legal Help
  8. Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing AuthorityCMHA
  9. Columbus Metropolitan Housing AuthorityCMHA
  10. Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing AuthorityCMHA
  11. Lucas Metropolitan HousingLucas Metropolitan Housing