• In difficult times or when unexpected emergencies develop, it can become impossible to pay the rent. Landlords and property managers want their money on time. If they don't get it, they can start the eviction process, endangering families and individuals who need housing. Private organizations, charities, religious organizations and the government all have programs that provide rental assistance and vouchers to help pay the rent.
  
  

Federal Stimulus Rent Assistance

• The federal stimulus program has provided money for rental assistance that is funneled through charities, private organizations and community government programs, according to Need Help Paying Bills. The program, called The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program, has been funded with over $1 billion for housing and rent assistance. If you need help paying your rent, visit rental assistance programs in your community.
  
  

Community Assistance Programs

• The Puyallup Food Bank, called FISH of Puyallup Valley, provides food and financial assistance to those in Puyallup, Washington, needing help, according to Rental Assistance. This charity helps those in need without regard to national origin, religious preference, marital status, age or gender. FISH was founded in 1972 and has been in operation for 28 years. Maryland, Jobs, Housing & Recovery, Inc., helps provide affordable housing, along with transitional service programs and training to help participants rebuild their lives and return to self-sufficiency, according to Rent Assistance.
  
  

HUD Rental Voucher Program

• Housing and Urban Development assists nearly 1.5 million families in paying security deposits and rent. HUD's Rental Voucher Program helps by giving families more choices as they look for privately owned rental housing, according to Need Help Paying Bills. In addition to the Rental Voucher Program, HUD also offers grants to families so they can pay their rent.
  
  

Assistance Programs by State

• Individual states and communities have rental assistance programs, usually operated by private organizations or charities. Las Cruces, New Mexico, for instance, has the Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico Territory and the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope. The Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico promotes self-sufficient families as they work to get out of poverty. This agency also operates a food bank. The Mesilla Valley Community of Hope is an umbrella name for a group, or alliance, of agencies. The Community of Hope provides one month's rent for people facing eviction, according to Rental Assistance.
  
  

Assistance for Vets and Families

• The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program provides security deposit assistance and rental assistance vouchers to veterans and their family members, according to Need Help Paying Bills.
  
  

Rural Assistance

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program assists struggling rural families, low-income residents, the disabled and the elderly living in multiunit housing. This program helps ensure that low-income tenants pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. Another program operated by the USDA Rural Development program is the Rural Rental Housing Loans, which assists in the financing of the construction of additional rental housing intended for low- to moderate-income families and individuals. The program also provides grants for cooperative housing for the elderly and disabled. The USDA Rural Development Program also provides Housing Preservation Grants to aid communities in modernizing and improving multiunit rentals and housing, according to Need Help Paying Bills.