Emergency Rental Assistance 2026: 6 Sources Still Funded + How to Apply Through 2-1-1

Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA1 and ERA2) funds from the 2020 CARES Act and 2021 American Rescue Plan have been largely depleted by 2026.

What remains is a patchwork of state and local programs running on residual funds, ongoing nonprofit and faith-based assistance, court-mandated eviction prevention programs, and local 2-1-1 referrals. The single best phone number to call when you face an eviction is 2-1-1, which connects you to your county’s emergency assistance network in under 5 minutes.

This guide covers the 6 active sources of emergency rental help in 2026, who qualifies (most programs use 80% Area Median Income), how much you can get (typically 1 to 12 months of arrears plus 3 months forward), what documents you need, and the legal protections that buy you time even when funds run out.

6 Sources of Emergency Rental Help in 2026

The federal ERA program is mostly closed, but these 6 channels are still funding rental assistance:

1. State and local rental assistance programs. About 25 states still operate ERA-funded programs with residual money. Some states (CA, NY, NJ, MA, WA) have used their own state funds to extend the program after federal money ran out.
2. Salvation Army emergency assistance. Local Salvation Army corps offices fund 1-2 months of back rent for households facing eviction. Apply at your nearest corps location, listed at salvationarmyusa.org/find-help.
3. Catholic Charities emergency funds. Available in nearly every diocese. Income limit usually 200% FPL. Faith affiliation NOT required.
4. St. Vincent de Paul Society. Parish-based emergency assistance, typically $200-$1,000 toward overdue rent or utilities. Find your local chapter at svdpusa.org.
5. Court-based eviction diversion programs. Many counties offer mediation programs that pause eviction and connect you with rental assistance funds. Available at the courthouse when you receive an eviction summons.
6. Modest Needs grants. National nonprofit issuing one-time grants of $400-$1,250 to households facing a temporary financial crisis. Apply online at modestneeds.org.

Always start with 2-1-1. The local 2-1-1 specialist knows which of these sources are currently funded in your county and can warm-transfer you to the agency taking applications today.

State Emergency Rental Assistance Status by State (2026)

The table below shows which states still have funded emergency rental assistance programs as of May 2026:

State	2026 status	How to apply
California	Active (state-funded)	housingiskey.com
New York	Limited (waiting list closed for new applications)	otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency
New Jersey	Active (DCAid)	njdca-housing.dynamics365portals.us
Pennsylvania	Limited (county-by-county)	2-1-1 referral
Massachusetts	Active (RAFT program)	mass.gov/raft
Washington	Active	commerce.wa.gov
Illinois	Closed (apply for HEAP/IRPP instead)	2-1-1 referral
Texas	Closed at state level (some city programs active)	2-1-1 referral
Florida	Closed at state level	2-1-1 referral
Ohio	Closed at state level	2-1-1 referral
Michigan	Active (CERA replacement: MERA)	michigan.gov/mshda
Virginia	Limited (county programs)	2-1-1 referral
North Carolina	Closed	2-1-1 referral
Georgia	Closed	2-1-1 referral
Maryland	Active	dhcd.maryland.gov
Connecticut	Active (UniteCT replaced)	portal.ct.gov
Minnesota	Active (Family Homeless Prevention)	mn.gov/dhs
Oregon	Limited	oregon.gov/ohcs
Colorado	Active (Emergency Mortgage and Rental Assistance)	cdola.colorado.gov
Wisconsin	Closed	2-1-1 referral

Status changes monthly as funds get spent or replenished. Verify current status by calling 2-1-1 or your state agency before assuming a program is closed.

Who Qualifies for Emergency Rental Assistance

Eligibility varies by source, but most programs require all of the following:

• Income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for your county. AMI varies — for a family of 4, this is about $63,000/year in low-cost states and $115,000/year in high-cost metros like NYC, SF, and Boston.
• Documented housing instability or risk of homelessness. A past-due rent notice, eviction filing, utility shutoff notice, or unsafe living conditions all count.
• Demonstrated COVID-related or other financial hardship. Most programs no longer require COVID-specific impact, but still need proof of an income loss, unexpected expense, or health crisis that caused the rental arrears.
• Citizenship or qualified immigration status for at least one household member (not necessarily the lease holder).

Look up your area’s 80% AMI on the HUD Income Limits Database at huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html. Search by your county or metro area.

How Much Rental Assistance Can You Get?

Active programs vary widely in maximum benefit, but most fall in these ranges:

Source	Typical maximum
State ERA programs (where active)	12-18 months arrears + 3 months forward
Salvation Army	$300-$1,500 (1-2 months)
Catholic Charities	$200-$1,000
St. Vincent de Paul	$200-$800
Modest Needs	$400-$1,250
Court diversion programs	Varies; often connects to ERA funds
Local utility hardship funds (often packaged with rental aid)	$100-$500 per utility

Most programs pay the landlord directly via electronic transfer rather than giving you the cash. Some require the landlord to participate in the program and waive late fees; others pay regardless of landlord cooperation.

Documents You Need to Apply

Standard application packets require:

• Photo ID for the lease holder.
• Social Security cards for everyone in the household.
• Current lease (signed, not expired).
• Past-due rent notice OR eviction summons OR letter from your landlord stating amount past due.
• Last 30-60 days of pay stubs OR proof of unemployment OR most recent tax return if self-employed.
• Bank statements for the past 60 days.
• Proof of hardship (job loss letter, medical bill, utility shutoff notice, or written statement explaining the circumstances).
• Landlord’s W-9 and current contact information (most programs pay the landlord directly).

If you do not have a current written lease, ask your landlord for a “rental verification letter” on letterhead confirming your tenancy, monthly rent, and current arrears. Most programs accept this in lieu of a lease.

How to Use 2-1-1 (The Single Best Step)

2-1-1 is a free, confidential nationwide service operated by United Way and local nonprofit partners. It is the central referral system for emergency rental assistance across the country.

1. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone, or text your ZIP code to 898211 in many states, or visit 211.org and enter your ZIP.
2. Tell the specialist what you need: “I need emergency rental assistance to prevent eviction.” Be specific about the dollar amount and the timeline (e.g., “I owe $2,400 and have an eviction hearing in 14 days”).
3. The specialist searches a live database of currently-funded programs in your county and refers you to the agencies taking applications today.
4. You contact those agencies directly using the referral. Many specialists can warm-transfer you on the same call.

2-1-1 service is available 24/7 in most states and offers translation in 180+ languages. Calls do not cost anything and are not recorded as a public benefit application.

Court-Based Eviction Diversion Programs

If you have been served an eviction notice or summons, your courthouse is often the fastest path to rental assistance because of court-mandated mediation programs.

Most county courts now operate Eviction Diversion Programs (EDPs) that pause the eviction case while you and your landlord try mediation. The court typically connects you with on-site rental assistance agencies who can fund up to 12 months of arrears in exchange for the landlord dropping the eviction.

To access the program, ask the courthouse clerk for the eviction diversion or mediation desk when you arrive for your hearing. Even if you have already missed your hearing, it is worth showing up — many courts allow late entry into mediation.

Free legal help is available from your state Legal Aid office in every state. Find your office at lsc.gov/get-legal-help.

Legal Protections That Buy You Time

Even if you cannot find rental assistance immediately, these legal protections can extend your timeline:

• Right to a court hearing before eviction. Your landlord cannot legally lock you out, shut off utilities, or remove your belongings without going through eviction court. Self-help eviction (lockouts) is illegal in every state.
• Notice requirements. Most states require 14 to 30 days of written notice before an eviction can be filed. Some states require 60 to 90 days for non-payment evictions.
• Right to cure. If you pay all back rent before the court hearing date, the eviction is dismissed in most states. Some states (PA, NY, NJ) allow you to cure even after a judgment if you pay before the lockout date.
• Habitability defense. If your unit has serious code violations (no heat, no water, mold, pest infestation), you can withhold a portion of rent and use that as a defense to eviction. Document all conditions in writing.
• Section 8 protections. Voucher holders have additional federal protections. Eviction without good cause may violate your voucher contract.

Free legal help from your state Legal Aid office is often the difference between staying housed and losing your home. Call before your court date.

If All Funds Are Tapped Out

If 2-1-1 confirms there are no active programs in your county, take these steps:

1. Apply for ongoing federal benefits. SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, and TANF take 30-45 days but free up money you would otherwise spend on food, healthcare, and utilities.
2. Negotiate directly with your landlord. Offer a partial payment now plus a written payment plan for the balance. Many landlords accept this rather than file eviction (court fees + vacancy losses average $5,000+).
3. Apply for a community Modest Needs grant. One-time $400-$1,250 grants from a national nonprofit, available even when local funds are exhausted (modestneeds.org).
4. File for shelter through your county. Every county must provide emergency shelter for families with children. This is not housing, but it is a legal alternative to street homelessness.
5. Apply for Section 8 or public housing waitlists. Long-term solution, often 2-5 year waits, but a useful application to have on file. See our Section 8 application guide.

Do not wait until the day of the eviction hearing to act. Every step above takes time, and overlapping applications give you the best chance of getting at least one yes before lockout day.

Related Programs to Apply For

• LIHEAP utility assistance — If you’re behind on utilities, LIHEAP can free up cash for rent. See our LIHEAP application status guide.
• SNAP food assistance — Frees up monthly cash you’d otherwise spend on groceries. See our SNAP income limits guide.
• TANF cash assistance — Many states offer one-time emergency TANF for housing crises. See our TANF income limits guide.
• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher — Long-term rental subsidy. Apply now for the future. See our Section 8 application guide.
• Medicaid — Covers medical bills that often cause rental arrears. See our Medicaid income limits guide.

Bottom Line

Federal ERA funds are largely depleted in 2026, but emergency rental assistance is still available through state programs in about 25 states, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, court diversion programs, and Modest Needs grants.

The single best step is calling 2-1-1, which has a live database of currently-funded programs in your county and can warm-transfer you to the agencies taking applications today. Most programs require income at or below 80% AMI and pay the landlord directly.

If funds are tapped out, court-based eviction diversion programs, partial-payment negotiation with your landlord, and free Legal Aid representation are your strongest options. Do not wait until the eviction hearing date to act — every step takes time.