Rent Help in Philadelphia, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
Much of Philadelphia's rent help is organized neighborhood by neighborhood. A Germantown ministry covers six zip codes, a settlement house serves Point Breeze, and another group works only in Haddington and Cobbs Creek. Where you live shapes which rental assistance programs may be available to you.
Citywide options exist alongside those local funds. The city runs its own prevention program for back rent and security deposits, the housing authority handles Section 8 and public housing, and free legal help is available to tenants.
This page lists verified contacts for all of it, from government offices to parish volunteers. Every listing below was checked against its own current information.
If your landlord has filed for eviction or you have a notice in hand, start with the Philadelphia eviction prevention page. If you need a place to sleep tonight, see Philadelphia shelters and short-term housing.
City and state programs for back rent and security deposits
Office of Homeless Services (OHS) — Prevention, Diversion and Intake — The city's main fund for renters about to lose their housing. When funding allows, qualified households can receive a one-time payment toward overdue rent, a security deposit, or first and last month's rent for a new place, and in some cases up to 12 months of rental assistance paired with case management. Callbacks can take several days, so reach out as early as possible. Households displaced by a fire or other disaster can ask about emergency help through this same unit.
Emergency Shelter Allowance (ESA) — A state benefit applied for through the Philadelphia County Assistance Office. Households that qualify — mainly families with a child under 21 who are homeless or about to lose housing — may receive funds toward a month's rent, arrears, or a security deposit, once in a 12-month period. The landlord must agree to keep renting to you. Apply online through COMPASS, call headquarters, or apply in person; the state's directory lists the current district office for each part of the city.
Headquarters: 801 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 | (215) 560-7226 and find your district office at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/contact/cao-information.
Charities that help with rent in Philadelphia
Catholic Social Services (CSS) — The region's largest social service charity tries to help qualified households with rent or utility bills when funds are available, along with housing referrals, case management, food, and clothing. One helpline connects Philadelphia residents to their nearest Family Service Center, including Casa del Carmen in North Philadelphia for bilingual services. All faiths, including immigrants, are served. CSS Helpline: (267) 331-2490. Administrative office: 222 N. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Website: https://ccphila.org/.
The Salvation Army — Greater Philadelphia — Corps community centers across the city take emergency assistance requests for rent, utilities, and other basic needs; case managers assess each situation, and help goes to approved applicants as funding allows. One number routes residents to the nearest center. Phone (215) 825-4601. Website: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/eastern-pennsylvania/greater-philadelphia/.
Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) — Best known for utility grants, UESF's housing stabilization work can also cover rent, security deposits, and mortgage payments for approved low-income applicants, along with benefits enrollment and budget counseling. Start with the eligibility screening on their website. 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Website: https://uesfacts.org/.
Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry (GACM) — Serves Northwest Philadelphia only: zip codes 19118, 19119, 19126, 19138, 19144, and 19150. Once public resources are exhausted, GACM considers small grants, often a few hundred dollars, toward past-due rent, a security deposit, or utilities, paid directly to the landlord or vendor and generally available once in a 24-month period. Call to schedule an appointment. 35 W. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144 | (215) 843-2340. Website: https://www.crisisministry.org/.
United Communities Southeast Philadelphia (UCSEP) — This South Philadelphia settlement house works to help income-qualified renters, seniors, and people with disabilities catch up on past-due rent through its delinquency assistance program, and it handles benefits and utility applications as well. 2029 S. 8th St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 | (215) 468-1645.
Congreso de Latinos Unidos — A bilingual North Philadelphia agency whose housing programs offer short-term rent help to residents who qualify, when funds allow, plus housing counseling and referrals. The focus is the Latino community, including immigrants, and staff work in English and Spanish. 216 W. Somerset St., Philadelphia, PA 19133 | (215) 763-8870. Website: https://congreso.net/.
Diversified Community Services — A Point Breeze nonprofit that may connect neighborhood families to rent help and runs benefits and utility assistance intake. Worth a call for residents in the 19145 and 19146 area. 1529 S. 22nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19146 | (215) 336-5505
ACHIEVEability — Serves the Haddington and Cobbs Creek neighborhoods of West Philadelphia. The Community Services Office helps residents apply for rent and property tax rebates for seniors and people with disabilities, and offers housing stability support and financial coaching. 21 S. 61st St., Philadelphia, PA 19139 | (215) 748-8800. Website: https://achieveability.org/
Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Action Center — A neighborhood help hub for Strawberry Mansion residents that can point families toward housing programs and handles utility assistance applications through its Neighborhood Energy Center. 2829 Diamond St., Philadelphia, PA 19121 | (215) 235-7505. Website: https://www.strawberrymansionnac.org/.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Volunteer groups at Catholic parishes around Philadelphia sometimes provide small grants toward rent or other urgent bills, usually arranged through a home visit. Each parish group has its own funds and rules. See the NHPB guide to St. Vincent de Paul in Philadelphia.
Valley Youth House — Philadelphia — Young adults roughly 18 to 24 who are losing their housing may qualify for rapid rehousing, which can include rent and move-in costs with case management. 1500 Sansom St., Suite 300A, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | (215) 925-3180
Help for veterans
Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC) — Runs Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), which can provide temporary financial help with back rent, security deposits, and moving costs to very low-income veteran households that qualify, along with benefits help and case management. 213-217 N. 4th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106 | (215) 923-2600. Website: https://www.vmcenter.org/.
Impact Services — A Kensington nonprofit that also serves veterans facing a housing crisis; qualified veteran households can receive temporary rent help, housing search support, and employment services when funding allows. 1952 E. Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19134 | (215) 423-2944
Seniors, renters with disabilities, and people living with HIV
Center in the Park — A Germantown senior center where older adults can get housing counseling, benefits help, and referrals toward rent assistance and affordable apartments. 5818 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144 | (215) 848-7722
Inglis — Offers accessible, affordable apartments across the Philadelphia area for adults with physical disabilities, designed for independent living. Waiting lists apply. 2600 Belmont Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131. Website: https://www.inglis.org/.
Action Wellness — Serves Philadelphians living with HIV or other chronic illnesses. Clients who qualify can receive an ongoing rental subsidy through the Positive Living Housing Program, paying about 30% of income toward rent, plus housing case management and benefits help. 1216 Arch St., 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | (215) 981-0088. Website: https://www.actionwellness.org/.
PathStone — For farmworkers, migrant workers, and their families only. The Philadelphia office tries to provide one-time emergency help with first month's rent, rent arrears, or utilities when funds are available, plus emergency housing referrals, with services in Spanish. 930 Washington Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19147 | (215) 551-9660. Website: https://pathstone.org/.
Section 8, public housing, and security deposits
Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) — Administers Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing across the city, from family units to senior buildings. Waiting lists open and close as vouchers turn over, so watch for public announcements and apply whenever a list is open. 2013 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19121 | (215) 684-4000. Website: https://www.pha.phila.gov/.
PhillySEEDS HCV Security Deposit Matching Grant — For PHA Housing Choice Voucher participants who have been approved to move. The nonprofit matches the renter's own security deposit savings dollar for dollar, up to a limit based on funding and applicant qualifications, for applicants who qualify, and recipients complete budget counseling. Apply online. Website: https://phillyseeds.org/.
Tenant rights and free legal help
Philly Tenant Hotline — A free citywide line for renters with questions about their rights, repairs, security deposits, lockouts, or a landlord dispute. Staffed by the Tenant Union Representative Network, with interpretation available. If an eviction has been filed, the hotline can also point you to the programs covered on the eviction prevention page. (267) 443-2500
Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN) — A tenant rights organization offering free workshops, individual counseling, and classes on repairs and the court process. TURN does not hand out rent money; its value is helping tenants understand and use their rights. 100 S. Broad St., Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19110 | (215) 940-3900. Website: https://rturn.net/.
Community Legal Services (CLS) — Free civil legal aid for low-income Philadelphians, including subsidized housing denials and terminations, utility shutoffs, and public benefits. Locations are Center City: 1424 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 | (215) 981-3700 as well as North Philadelphia: 1410 W. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19140 | (215) 227-2400. Website: https://clsphila.org/.
Philadelphia Legal Assistance — Free legal help in civil matters for low-income residents, with particular experience serving women, immigrants, and older adults on housing and benefits issues. 718 Arch St., Suite 300N, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | (215) 981-3838. Website: https://philalegal.org/.
Fair Housing Commission (FHC) — A city commission where tenants who are current on rent can file a complaint about unfair rental practices: illegal eviction threats, rent increases while code violations exist, or landlord retaliation for reporting problems to Licenses and Inspections. Complaints can be filed online. The Curtis Center, 601 Walnut St., Suite 300 South, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | (215) 686-4670. Website: https://www.phila.gov/departments/fair-housing-commission/
Fair Housing Rights Center — A nonprofit that assists renters who believe they were denied housing or mistreated because of race, disability, family status, source of income, or another protected reason. 444 N. 3rd St., Suite 110, Philadelphia, PA 19123 | (215) 625-0700
Legal Clinic for the Disabled — Free legal services for low-income Philadelphians with disabilities, including housing and benefits matters. (215) 587-3158
Also dial 211
211 Southeastern Pennsylvania is a free referral line that connects Philadelphia residents to housing, utility, and other programs. It is a useful supplemental call, but the listings on this page include programs and direct contacts that may not appear in the 211 database — so use both. Dial 2-1-1 or visit https://southeast.pa211.org/.
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