First Steps in a Housing Emergency

If you are facing an immediate housing crisis, take these steps right away:

• Dial 2-1-1 — this free helpline connects you to local emergency housing resources 24/7
• Contact your local community action agency — they often administer emergency rental assistance
• Reach out to local nonprofits and faith-based organizations — many provide emergency housing help
• If facing eviction, contact a legal aid organization immediately — you have rights and time to respond
• If fleeing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Emergency Rental Assistance

Emergency rental assistance programs provide short-term help — typically one to three months of back rent or upcoming rent — to prevent eviction. These programs are funded through a combination of federal, state, and local sources.

Funding is often limited and programs may have waiting lists or periodic open enrollment. Apply as soon as possible and contact multiple programs simultaneously.

Emergency Shelter

If you have already lost housing or are in immediate danger of becoming homeless, emergency shelter programs provide a safe place to stay while you work toward stable housing. Emergency shelters are operated by local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and government agencies.

To find emergency shelter near you, dial 2-1-1, contact your local Continuum of Care (CoC) program, or visit the HUD resource locator at hud.gov.

Rapid Rehousing Programs

Rapid rehousing programs help people who have become homeless return to stable housing as quickly as possible. These programs provide short-term rental assistance, help finding housing, and case management services to address the issues that led to homelessness.

Rapid rehousing is funded through HUD's Emergency Solutions Grants program and administered by local CoC programs and nonprofits.

Eviction Prevention

If you have received an eviction notice, you have more options than you may realize:

• Contact a legal aid organization — many provide free eviction defense services
• Apply for emergency rental assistance immediately — paying back rent can stop an eviction
• Talk to your landlord — some landlords will work out a payment plan rather than pursue eviction
• Know your rights — eviction is a legal process with required notice periods and court procedures
• Contact your local housing court — many have mediation programs and tenant assistance resources

Disaster Housing Assistance

If you have lost housing due to a natural disaster, FEMA's Individuals and Households Program (IHP) may provide temporary housing assistance, including rental assistance and hotel/motel stays. Apply at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 after a presidentially declared disaster.