Where to Rental Assistance in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
If you're behind on rent or need security deposit assistance there are programs in Mecklenburg County that may help. Options range from charities to churches and government agencies. This is a directory to organizations in Charlotte, Matthews, or Mecklenburg County that may help pay back rent, cover a security deposit or provide other help to struggling tenants.
This page is organized by area of the county to make it easier to find what's relevant to where you live. Crisis Assistance Ministry at 500-A Spratt Street is the primary first stop for emergency rent help in Charlotte — it's where the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County both direct residents for rent and utility assistance. If you live in the northern towns of Davidson, Cornelius, or Huntersville, the Ada Jenkins Center is the main resource for that part of the county. Matthews residents can start with the Matthews HELP Center.
For veterans at risk of losing housing, there are two VA-funded programs specifically for Mecklenburg County — Catholic Charities and Veterans Services of the Carolinas both run active rental assistance programs for veterans and their families.
Section 8 vouchers in Charlotte are administered by INLIVIAN. The waiting list is often closed for years at a time - check their site or call for any updates on openings.
Charlotte and county-wide programs
Crisis Assistance Ministry
The primary emergency financial assistance resource in Mecklenburg County for rent, mortgage, and utility costs. Applications are in-person at the Spratt Street location; eligibility is based on income and an active financial crisis (eviction notice, utility shutoff, or similar). Assistance is prioritized by urgency, not first-come-first-served order. Mecklenburg County residents only. Crisis Assistance Ministry also offers landlord-tenant mediation and financial counseling. Contact
500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206 | (704) 371-3001. Website: https://crisisassistance.org/programs/get-help/emergency-financial-assistance/.
Charlotte Area Fund (CAF)
The federally designated Community Action Agency for Mecklenburg County, serving residents since 1963. CAF provides financial assistance for rent, security deposits, and utility costs through its emergency programs, as well as workforce training, financial coaching, and other support services for low-income tenants. Contact 901 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28206 | (704) 372-3010. Website: https://www.charlotteareafund.org
Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources (DCR) — Emergency Assistance Program
The county's own Emergency Assistance Program provides short-term financial help for housing costs. Per DCR's own website, the primary portal of entry for rent assistance is Crisis Assistance Ministry above. DCR case workers can also provide referrals to additional programs for residents who have already applied at CAM and need further help. Contact: 3205 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208 | (704) 336-3000. Website: https://dcr.mecknc.gov/Housing/eap.
Good Fellows Club
Provides emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities to Mecklenburg County residents — but only as a last resort after other resources have been tried. Access is now referral-based: applicants must have a referral from a social worker, either through the Department of Social Services, a school social worker, or a health-based social worker. If you qualify, assistance is available once per year per household. Contact the DSS office at (704) 336-3000 to request a social worker referral. Contact 700 Parkwood Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205 | (704) 333-5040. Website: https://goodfellowsclub.org/family-assistance/.
Salvation Army — Charlotte
Provides limited emergency financial assistance for rent and housing stability as funding allows. Social services are available by appointment. Call the main number to ask about current rental assistance availability and to schedule an appointment. Contact 4015 Stuart Andrew Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217 | (704) 334-4731. Website: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/carolinas/charlotte-area-command/.
Homeless Prevention and Rehousing
Security deposit or rent help may be available using HUD grants. Clients of this service, such as Coordinated Entry - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care, may be provided support ranging from financial help to move to housing stability services, referrals and more. See the Mecklenburg County eviction prevention assistance page.
Veterans rental and housing assistance
Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte — SSVF Program
One of two VA-funded SSVF providers for Mecklenburg County veterans. Serves very low-income veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of losing housing. Services include emergency rent and utility assistance, rental arrears, security deposits, moving costs, apartment application fees, and outreach. Veterans must have an honorable discharge and income below 80% of area median income. Contact 1123 S. Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203. SSVF direct: (704) 370-3257. Website: https://ccdoc.org/supportive-services-for-veteran-families-ssvf
Veterans Services of the Carolinas (ABCCM-VSC) — SSVF Program
The second VA-funded SSVF provider for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, operated by ABCCM (Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry). While not based in the county, it provides rental assistance, utility help, case management, VA benefits navigation, and housing placement for eligible veterans and their families in Mecklenburg County. Also offers a Shallow Subsidy program for veterans who need ongoing, smaller-scale housing support. Contact (828) 259-5300 (ABCCM-VSC main) | Mecklenburg County Veterans Service Officers: (704) 336-2102. Website: https://abccm-vsc.org/ssvf/.
North Mecklenburg (Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville)
Ada Jenkins Center
The primary resource for residents of Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville in northern Mecklenburg County. Ada Jenkins offers emergency financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utilities on a case-by-case basis while funding is available. The center also hosts the Crisis Assistance Ministry's north Mecklenburg assistance program, providing past-due rent and utility help to residents of these three towns. Ada Jenkins is the only organization providing comprehensive wraparound services in north Mecklenburg — if you live in that part of the county, this is the right first call for rent assistance and other support. Contact 212 Gamble Street, Davidson, NC 28036 | (704) 896-0471. Website: https://www.adajenkins.org/services/
South and southeast Mecklenburg (Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Stallings)
Matthews HELP Center
Provides emergency financial assistance for basic needs including rent and utilities to residents of Matthews and the surrounding area in southeastern Mecklenburg County. Financial crisis assistance is by appointment. Call to schedule or confirm current availability. Contact: 119 N. Ames Street, Matthews, NC 28105 | (704) 847-8383. Website: https://matthewshelp.org
Section 8 and subsidized housing
INLIVIAN (Charlotte Housing Authority)
INLIVIAN is the public housing authority for Charlotte and parts of Mecklenburg County. It administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, public housing, and other affordable housing programs. The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list is often closed for extended periods of time. Monitor the INLIVIAN website or contact them to be added to a notification list for any future openings. Applications for public housing properties may have separate availability — check the website directly. Contact 400 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203 | (704) 336-5183. Website: https://www.inlivian.com/hcv-waiting-list-information/
Free legal help for renters
Legal Aid of North Carolina — Charlotte office
Provides free civil legal services to income-eligible Mecklenburg County residents facing eviction, housing discrimination, unsafe conditions, and other landlord-tenant disputes. Legal Aid can also assist with Section 8 tenancy issues and housing benefits. Apply by calling the statewide intake line or apply online. The Charlotte office is at 1431 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204 | Intake: (866) 219-5262. Website: https://legalaidnc.org/topic/housing/landlord-tenant/
Community Discussion
We also have a thread covering Charlotte area rent assistance programs as well as locations that may have funds in our moderated forum. Since funding always changes, as do agencies that offer support, our forum may be another option to ask for help or locate programs. See the Charlotte - Mecklenburg County rent assistance topic.
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