How to Get Philadelphia Rent Assistance

If you're unable to pay your rent or need help with a rental deposit, you may be able to obtain Philadelphia rental assistance. Churches, government agencies, and several charitable organizations offer needs-based assistance for those facing the threat of homelessness. Getting help now is far preferable to waiting until your landlord takes action.

Unfortunately, it isn't always easy for tenants to find the best programs and funding opportunities for their circumstances and needs. If you've been dealing with long waitlists, automated answering services, or outright denials of your requests for aid, DoNotPay can help. With the Rental Assistance product from DoNotPay, you can quickly identify the right local agencies and successfully navigate the application process.

Rental Assistance in Philadelphia

There are several types of rental assistance currently available in Philadelphia. These include:

• Emergency rental assistance to prevent eviction
• Rental assistance for those experiencing short-term financial hardships
• Long-term rental assistance for those with serious, permanent disabilities
• Move-in assistance for those who are homeless and need re-housed
• Rental assistance for refugees and immigrants
• Rental assistance for anyone displaced due to domestic violence (DV)
• Rental assistance for homeless or at-risk veterans

Whether issued by social service organizations, government agencies, churches, or non-profit entities, rental assistance is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and awarded according to need. It's often necessary for applicants to show that they have a reliable income that they can use to continue paying their rent on their own going forward. However, if you're currently unemployed, it may still be possible to obtain rental assistance by additionally taking part in a job search/job training program, or by participating in other activities to ensure long-term housing stability.

Philadelphia Housing Authority

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is the fourth-largest housing authority in the nation. Funding by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the PHA has an annual budget of $371 million. Committed to providing low-income families with access to safe, affordable housing, the PHA has two primary rental housing assistance programs. These are the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Public Housing.

The PHA manages low-income housing units throughout Pennsylvania. This is the organization to call if you're facing long-term rental challenges and want to find affordable, sustainable options in housing. However, if you need help paying rent today and already live in a unit of your choosing, you can contact:

1. Emergency Assistance and Response Unit - 215-686-7177
2. Action Wellness - 215-981-0088
3. achievability - 215-748-8750
4. HELP Philadelphia - 215-473-6454
5. Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society - 215-832-0920
6. United Communities Southeast Philadelphia - 215-468-1645, ext. 223
7. Congreso de Latinos Unidos - 215-763-8870
8. Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center - 215-923-2600

You can also take advantage of the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project. This is a joint effort of multiple Philadelphia-based agencies. Through the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project, you can request an application for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) or apply for other forms of urgent rental assistance.

How Do I Apply for Rent Relief in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

If you need immediate help with rental assistance, get in touch with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PDHS). PDHS offers an Emergency Shelter Allowance for homeless and near-homeless individuals and families. This allowance can be used to:

• Secure long-term housing
• Secure short-term housing
• Stop eviction actions

You can apply for this one-time, urgent funding by calling (800) 692-7462.

Applying for Section 8 Rental Assistance

Section 8 offers long-term rental assistance for low-income families, seniors, and individuals with qualifying disabilities. To apply for Section 8 in Philadelphia:

1. Visit the Philadelphia Housing Authority website
2. Verify that the waitlist for Section 8 applications is currently open
3. Complete the online application

You can be on the waitlist for Section 8 rental assistance in Philadelphia and on the waitlist for Philadelphia public housing simultaneously.

Applying for Public Housing

PHA owns and manages several scattered-site, low-income housing developments, and traditional low-income complexes. Rents in Philadelphia public housing developments are based on tenants' earnings. To apply for affordable housing through the PHA, visit the PHA Public Housing Admissions page.

Other Rental Assistance Programs in Philadelphia, PA

In addition to social service agencies and government entities, several churches offer Philadelphia rent relief. Applying for funding from a local church is often the best course of action if you need cash assistance right away to avoid eviction. Churches tend to have more rapid turnaround times for applications. However, most churches typically offer modest amounts of funding. For instance, if you need just $300 to supplement the rent money that you're able to pay on your own, consider contacting:

You can also contact the general helpline for Catholic Social Services (CCS) at 267-331-2490. CCS offers limited financial assistance for those needing help with move-in costs or eviction prevention.

Next Steps if You Can't Get Philadelphia Rent Relief on Your Own

If you're having a hard time finding and applying for rent relief, you can also seek the help of local advocacy groups. These entities can provide answers to common questions such as, "How long does it take to get rental assistance?", "How to get help with rent if I'm unemployed?", and "How much rental assistance can I get?". They can also help walk you through the application process and assist with the collection of essential documents. Several agencies that may be able to assist with the application process are:

1. People's Emergency Center - 267-777-5800
2. Dixon House (Diversified Community Services) - 215-336-3511
3. United Way of Greater Philadelphia - 215-665-2500

Get Philadelphia Rent Relief With the Help of DoNotPay

How to apply for housing assistance in Philadelphia, PA with DoNotPay

We can compose a letter to your local housing authority based on your situation and inquire about your best options for receiving assistance. Here are the 4 steps:

1. Search for Rental Assistance on DoNotPay.

2. Put together a list of your income, debts, expenses, and assets. If you need help accessing information like your credit report, DoNotPay can help you get your report.

3. Let DoNotPay collect your basic information and compose a letter to your local housing authority requesting rental assistance.

4. Lastly, DoNotPay will send your letter to your local housing authority.

Why Use DoNotPay When You Need Help Paying Rent in Philadelphia?

Using DoNotPay is the quickest and easiest way to identify all funding opportunities that you're qualified for. Although multiple agencies offer Philadelphia rent help, getting in touch with them individually takes time. Moreover, given that some agencies reserve their funding specifically for veterans, refugees, victims of domestic violence, or other demographics, you can use DoNotPay to find the agencies that are best suited to your circumstances.

DoNotPay Works Across All Entities and Groups With Just One Click

DoNotPay makes applying for HUD rental assistance and finding other resources for rental assistance easy. DoNotPay works across all companies, entities, and groups with just one click. Thus, you can use DoNotPay to submit multiple rental assistance applications at once, and with minimal effort and time.

What Else Can DoNotPay Help With?

Whether you need help finding and applying for Philadelphia rent assistance or have other complicated tasks to take care of, DoNotPay is always the best resource to use. With DoNotPay, you can quickly:

• File complaints
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Sign up for DoNotPay today to start solving problems and saving money the easy way!