Emergency Rental Assistance

• Every state in the country offers low-income residents some form of help for paying overdue rent through statewide assistance programs. Florida residents living with children under 18 may apply once a year to the Emergency Financial Assistance for Housing Program. The program is managed by the Florida Department of Children & Families Office on Homelessness. Long Beach, California, sponsors several programs for residents in debt to their landlords, such as Beyond Shelter and the Rapid Rehousing Program. The programs provide low-income residents with rental assistance for up to six months if you are in danger of eviction or up to 18 months if you are homeless.
  
  

USDA Rural Development

• The USDA Rural Development Program is dedicated to supporting the economy and quality of life for residents of rural communities. The foundation runs the Rural Rental Assistance Program through numerous agencies nationwide. Qualified applicants, such as the elderly, disabled or unemployed, receive grant awards to cover a portion of their living expenses. As of 2010, participants in the program are required to pay no more than 30 percent of their income in rent and the Rural Rental Assistance Program provides the balance.
  
  

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

• Your local department of human services can provide contact information for organizations that help low-income families and individuals with overdue rent. Typically, qualified applicants can obtain TANF -- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families -- benefits immediately. TANF benefits include medical coverage, food stamps, child care assistance and monthly cash grants. The financial assistance available through TANF can help you stay afloat and pay your bills while you apply for rental assistance programs.
  
  

Section 8 Housing

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides low-income citizens nationwide with a variety of programs ranging from free professional debt counseling related to rent and mortgage payments to housing grants for families facing a financial crisis. Low-income Americans who are having trouble keeping up with rent payments often qualify for Section 8 housing. Participants in the program receive grants in the form of housing subsidies that pay a portion of their rent. Property owners must agree to this arrangement and submit to property inspections.