Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Programs
Homeless prevention and rapid rehousing programs help people avoid losing housing, in particular rental units, or move quickly into stable housing after becoming homeless. The program names vary, often by state or local area with some federal options also available. Most Homeless Prevention programs are funded through the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, Continuum of Care (CoC) grants, state housing trust funds, and local nonprofit government partnerships and this page will help you understand and find the Homeless Prevention-Rehousing options available.
Thee type of help provided will vary. In general, these resources, which NeedHelpPayingBills.com tracks and lists the naming differences and local structures, are used by community agencies to provide short-term rental assistance, money for security deposits or moving help, utility assistance, legal services, and case management designed to prevent homelessness or rapidly rehouse people who are already homeless. The amount of help available, eligibility rules, and application process can also vary by state, county, or city.
Grants used for Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing
Funding for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing is distributed to local non-profits, social service offices and community action agencies. All applications and administration of the assistance is done by those local groups. These organizations use federal, state, and local grants to help households facing eviction, utility shutoffs, or unsafe housing conditions. The funds can also be used by people who are already homeless.
The primary goal of these programs is housing stability. Assistance is designed to prevent eviction when possible or to move people quickly into safe, affordable housing (or even a cover a hotel voucher for the unhoused) when homelessness has already occurred or when the current rental unit is no longer sustainable, such as no longer affordable. Support may be provided to renters, people living in shelters, individuals staying in motels, or households temporarily doubled up with others.
Local agencies have discretion in how funds are used, which means available assistance can differ widely by location and funding levels. Another key factor is that the budgets for a Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing program are normally set once per year, so funds may (and often do) run out based on demand.
Type of financial help offered by Homeless Prevention - Rehousing Programs
Financial assistance offered through homeless prevention and rapid rehousing programs may include short-term or medium-term rental assistance, help with security deposits, utility deposits or past-due bills, and limited moving-related costs. In some situations, motel or a hotel voucher for the unhoused may be provided as a temporary option when no shelter beds are available.
- Rental assistance may be used to cover current or past-due rent so the tenant has time to address the root cause of their struggling. Some agencies, if the applicant is qualified and funding exists, may offer limited future rent while a household stabilizes. Assistance is typically time-limited and paired with case management or housing stabilization services.
In addition to financial help, homeless prevention and rapid rehousing programs often provide housing stabilization services. These programs, even including security deposit assistance, are designed to help households remain housed or successfully transition into a new home so in effect the tenant does not face the same struggles again.
- Support around stabilization may include housing search assistance, including possible placement into a low income apartment with no or a short wait list. There is also generally landlord outreach, case management, budgeting guidance, and help addressing past evictions or housing barriers. Legal assistance in the form of free legal aid may also be available for tenant-landlord disputes related to eviction, excluding mortgage foreclosure representation.
- Some homeless prevention and rehousing programs work directly with landlords who are willing to rent to people with prior evictions, poor credit, or limited rental history. These arrangements are often referred to as second chance apartments and are intended to help individuals or families restart housing after a period of instability. Availability depends on local partnerships and housing market conditions.
Homeless prevention and rapid rehousing programs generally focus on two groups, with some areas even more focused on who is helped. The first includes individuals or families, in particular those with kids, who currently have housing that but face an immediate risk of homelessness due to a financial hardship. Their challenge may lead them on the path the eviction, foreclosure, or utility shutoff, and homeless prevention may assist them.
- The second group includes people who are already homeless, such as those staying in shelters, motels, or places not meant for human habitation, such as they live in an RV or tent. For these households, rapid rehousing assistance helps secure housing quickly and provides short-term support to stabilize the tenancy.
- Some local programs may prioritize specific populations, such as veterans, seniors, survivors of domestic violence, or single moms or dads, depending on funding rules. As the rules and regulations vary by area.
Rapid local rehousing programs may coordinate with local housing authorities, but they are separate from the HUD Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program which is normally run by housing authorities. In limited situations, households may be referred for emergency or preference-based vouchers, as the rehousing caseworkers will provide support to people around how to get low-income Section 8 housing fast. However, rapid rehousing assistance does not guarantee access to Section 8 housing - in fact section 8 normally has a wait list in most areas.
 Applications for homeless prevention or rapid rehousing assistance are handled locally. Funding is distributed to community agencies, non-profits, housing authorities, and social service organizations that determine eligibility and provide services directly to households. Or they help people find other eviction prevention help. Because programs vary by location, applicants are usually required to contact a local agency to apply. Caseworkers assess housing risk, income, and household circumstances to determine what type of assistance may be available.
Community Action Agencies often administer or coordinate homeless prevention and rehousing assistance at the local level. These agencies may provide direct financial help or refer households to partner organizations that manage housing grants and services. Find contact details and more information on how to get help from community action agencies.
State list of homeless prevention and rapid rehousing programs
Select your state below to find local homeless prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Each page lists agencies that administer rental assistance, housing stabilization services, and emergency housing support that is part of a local homeless prevention service.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Do you have questions, comments, or want to get feedback from the NHPB community? Our forum will allow you to read about other people's experiences when homeless, looking for rehousing or programs available? You can read real people’s experiences from across the country on the topic of Homeless Prevention-Rehousing, and maybe find other local options.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?