{"id":13896,"date":"2020-08-20T17:05:41","date_gmt":"2020-08-21T00:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/?p=13896"},"modified":"2022-06-16T15:12:08","modified_gmt":"2022-06-16T22:12:08","slug":"tenant-resources-help-with-rent-and-other-financial-assistance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/tenant-resources-help-with-rent-and-other-financial-assistance\/","title":{"rendered":"Tenant Resources | Help with Rent and Other Financial Assistance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Tenant<\/p>\n

Do you need help with rent and other financial assistance or know a renter struggling to make ends meet? You\u2019re not alone! There are over 44 million on unemployment, 23 million at risk of eviction<\/a>, and millions more barely making it paycheck-to-paycheck.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting through financial hardships isn\u2019t easy so finding help with rent and other financial assistance is important to support efforts toward a more hopeful tomorrow. <\/span><\/p>\n

The internet has a plethora of suggestions emphasizing budget cuts and leaning on family and friends for support.\u00a0<\/span>But if you\u2019ve exhausted those resources, before you max out and pay rent with credit card transactions, check out the below <\/span>useful ideas, funding opportunities, and agency links to research that may get you through these tough times.<\/span><\/p>\n

Banks and Credit Unions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Check with your local bank or credit union. Some have received grants and are distributing funds in the community<\/a>. These funds for the general public might not require an account or membership.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

National and Community Outreach Organizations<\/span><\/h2>\n

Modest Needs<\/strong><\/a>
\nThis organization offers grants up to $1000 with payments made directly from them to the creditors or vendors. To learn more visit: modestneeds.org\/about-us\/<\/em> <\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

United Way<\/strong><\/a>
\nNational recognized organization, the United Way providing support and resources across the country. The United Way COVID19 resource<\/a> has handy information including a sample email template to use when working with your landlord. Visit this directory to find your local United Way office: unitedway.org\/find-your-united-way<\/a>.<\/p>\n

211<\/strong><\/a>
\nThe United Way provides very useful region resource information by phone or online. Similar to calling 911 for emergency assistance, dial 211 on your phone to find rental assistance programs and other helpful resources in your area. The same information is available online at 211.org\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Community Action Groups
\n<\/strong>Across the country, there are organizations called to serve the community. These community action groups may go by different names. One resource to locating one in your area is provided by the National Community Action Partnership which offers this interactive map<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Faith-Based Financial Support<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Salvation Army<\/strong><\/a>
\nThe Salvation Army may have rent assistance and other resources. Funds are typically limited to one-time assistance so check with your local Salvation Army for specifics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Catholic Charities\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>
\nCatholic Charities offers emergency assistance grants and other support in a variety of services.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Local Churches and other Religious Organizations<\/strong>
\n<\/b>Call or go online and contact local churches to ask about programs they may offer for rent or other support efforts. There are many local churches and local chapters of faith-based organizations that are ready to serve such as the Society of St. Vincent De Paul<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

City, County, and State Programs, Grants, and Loans<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hop online or grab your phone and reach out to your city, county, and state as each might have funds set aside to help the community at large.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, the state of <\/span>Illinois is offering a $5,000 relief program to help with rent<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Oregon just launched a one-time COVID-19 $500 emergency relief check program<\/a> for those eligible. So be sure to contact your state and ask if there are programs in place or coming soon.<\/p>\n

A county-level example of available support is in <\/span>Multnomah County, Oregon which offers short-term help<\/span><\/a> with emergency housing vouchers, rent, and mortgage payments, and other housing costs based on income.<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember to check with those state and local agencies often as legislation continues to be introduced changing the available resources. <\/span>California for instance has a few rent assistance bills in the works<\/span><\/a> that if passed would have the state pay the landlord and give the tenant up to 10 years to pay the state back, alleviating the fear of eviction for non-payment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out this handy guide to state-by-state tax information, deadlines, and resources: \u00a0Coronavirus Tax Breaks for US Citizens<\/a><\/p>\n

In locating additional state-specific COVID19 resources including financial aid, turn to this Ultimate State Guide: Ultimate State Guide to Coronavirus Information<\/a><\/p>\n

Department of Social Services<\/span><\/h2>\n

In line with reaching out to government agencies, find out what resources the Department of Social Services has to offer in your area as they often have help for emergency rent assistance. The Office of Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provides states with grants to disburse to families in need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One such social service program is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). You can locate your state TANF program contact using this directory<\/a>. <\/span>The Department of Social Services can also help with child care costs and help with job search resources.<\/p>\n

Federal Resources and Relief<\/span><\/h2>\n

Usually, most federally funded relief is provided directly to each state, territory, and district to be administered through those state agencies. But that doesn’t rule out receiving Federal aid completely. If you have not received a Federal stimulus payment, you might still qualify. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides information here: Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, if your income has significantly reduced, you may qualify for the Federal housing voucher program<\/a>. And the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)<\/a> has grants and loans available as well.<\/p>\n

Lower Income Housing Options<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you need to move to find affordable housing options a quick internet search should help you find programs that offer publicly subsidized housing and p<\/span>rivately owned subsidized housing such as the HOME program<\/a>. The Section 8 program not only offers ongoing rent subsidies but may also provide utility funds; both of which are then directly paid to the landlord.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Renters Who Are Business Owners<\/span><\/h2>\n

Check with your city, county, and state for business grants and loans including economic development aid. Check the fine print to see if you can use those funds for personal finance concerns. If only to be used for business-related expenses, that still should offer some relief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Help with Necessities\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Throughout communities, there are food banks ready to lend a hand by providing staples. Federal resources are also available such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)<\/a>. Check with your utility company for energy-efficient appliance discounts. They might also provide free LED lightbulbs and other energy-efficient suggestions.<\/p>\n

As with any of the above, it may be that they only offer assistance with access to groceries or help with utility bills but any little bit helps bring down expenses to help with rent obligations.<\/p>\n

\"Moving<\/p>\n

What to do When Behind on Rent<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

This is a stressful time, no doubt. When stress bangs at the door the response is either fight, flight, or freeze which are all reactive states. To move past the urge to run and hide or freeze up, take small steps to dispel procrastination – any step forward can help create a state of hope.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Take Inventory<\/strong>
\n<\/b>It\u2019s hard to move forward unless you know what you are facing. The first step in preparation and knowing where you stand financially is to take inventory of your situation which requires looking at the big picture as well as the small details.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n