Mammoth AwardsThink of your options when you can’t pay the rent. In other words, what can you do to make sure this rent gets paid, and you avoid being late in the months to come?
For most people, here’s a list of solutions they’ll come up with:
- Ask for more hours at work.
- Get a second job.
- Work a side gig.
- Sell your stuff for quick cash.
- Write a late rent hardship letter to the landlord.
- Get a loan.
- Ask for help from friends and family.
Can all of those moves help you pay the rent? Sure, but many are temporary fixes, or they may not be available to you at all.
What’s a solution that’s not on that list? Getting rent assistance via the government, and there are many ways to do so, which we’ll discuss now.
1. Contact your state’s housing finance agency.
You may be able to get local rent help from your state. Each has its own housing finance agency, and you can find yours by going here.
2. Contact your local Public Housing Agency (PHA).
If you’ve finally had enough and want a long-term solution to your rent-paying problem, touching base with your nearest PHA may be your best bet.
A PHA can help you apply for a Section 8 housing voucher, which can greatly reduce your rent and let you move into an affordable townhome, apartment, or single-family home.
They can also help you find public housing that’s cheap and safe as well.
While these rent assistance programs are usually long-term solutions that can take a while to put into action, you can ask your PHA if they know of any forms of immediate help too.
3. Contact your state social service agency.
This agency type can help you with housing and many other types of assistance that you may need due to a lack of income. It may be your best option for emergency rent assistance, as they should know what’s available locally for people who are close to eviction.
To find your closest state social service agency, go here.
It’s worth noting that if any of these options cannot help you directly, you should always ask if they can connect you to someone who can. Many are experts in rent assistance and know of local nonprofit organizations that can chip in to lend a helping hand.
4. Find assistance in special circumstances.
There are specific services that can offer rent assistance in the following cases:
- If you’re a senior citizen – Use the Eldercare Locator to find housing and other forms of assistance.
- If you’re a veteran – Use the HUD-VASH program if you are homeless and need to find housing instantly. The Shallow Subsidy is another option that can help as well.
- If you live in a rural area – Your local Rural Housing Service may be able to help.
