If you’re struggling to find and afford housing, these 11 rental assistance programs in Phoenix can help.
Between heavy inflation, an unsteady economy, and housing costs that have outpaced paychecks, many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, one snafu away from scrambling to make ends meet.
Fortunately for us Arizonans, there are programs to help. Part of the safety net comes from local taxes, while several charities aim to help end our homelessness and housing crisis. Legal services are also available for those facing a potential housing crisis.
Whether your financial challenge is short-term or long-term, help is available. Here are 11 resources to help you with rent, mortgage, and bills in Phoenix.
Rental assistance
City of Phoenix Human Services Department
The City of Phoenix Human Services Department offers assistance to eligible residents experiencing financial hardship. Depending on the household’s circumstances, services may include help with rent, utilities, and other urgent needs. Residents can complete the Family Services online questionnaire, call 602-534-AIDE (2433), or visit one of the department’s Family Services centers at 3454 N. 51st Ave., 914 W. Hatcher Road, or 4732 S. Central Ave.
Applicants generally must live within Phoenix city limits or its service areas, or pay for city water services. Eligibility for specific programs may differ. For example, applicants seeking assistance through the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program must reside in Maricopa or Pinal County. All applications are reviewed for income eligibility, and assistance is not guaranteed. Instead, services depend on individual circumstances and available funding.
Short-Term Crisis Services
The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers short-term crisis services to individuals experiencing financial hardship and who have a child in their home. Available in most counties and cities, residents may apply and receive assistance once per 12 months. Assistance for rent, utilities, and emergency shelter is available.
To be eligible, households must have income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, or 150% for households with someone 60 or older or a person with a disability. Assistance is available once in a 12-month period. To apply, contact your local Community Action Agency; in Phoenix, that’s the city’s Human Services Department.
This assistance covers qualifying financial crises or emergencies, which can include income loss, domestic violence, or health/safety threats, and the assistance can extend up to 180 days.
St. Vincent de Paul one-time assistance
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic churches offer one-time rental or utility bill assistance. Use the interactive map to find a local branch near you to contact for assistance. Since the program is volunteer-led, hours and availability vary.
Family Promise
If you are at risk of being evicted, call Family Promise at (480) 659-5227. This organization provides one-time rental assistance to help families and their pets stay in their homes.
The organization also provides case management, rental assistance/security deposits, utility support, landlord mediation, transportation via gas cards and bus passes, and may even offer temporary motel stays when applicable.
Maricopa County Rental Assistance Community Resilience Division
The Human Services Department’s Senior Services and Community Resilience Division (SSCRD) offers assistance with rent, rental deposits, and utility bills for Maricopa County residents living outside of the cities of Glendale, Mesa, and Phoenix. (These three cities run their own programs). Those who qualify can get help with rental deposits, monthly rental payments, past-due rent, late fees, and utility bills—including electric, gas, and water.
To apply, submit an online application or visit a local Community Action Program (CAP) office. You will need a photo ID, proof of household income from the last 30 days (think pay stubs, bank statements, invoices, etc.), and your current gas, electric, or water bills. If you are in a non-emergency situation with questions, you may also call 602-506-3011.
A New Leaf Rental Subsidy Program
A New Leaf Tenant Based Rental Assistance is for those experiencing homelessness. The program offers assistance with housing and utilities for up to 24 months to help create a lasting impact on housing. The program can help eligible individuals secure housing and keep up with payments while they find viable employment.
Recipients are responsible for paying either $25 or 30% of their adjusted gross household income toward their monthly rent, ensuring they remain responsible for their housing while also having the opportunity to find stability. This program also comes with Housing Case Management services to help address all challenges that could otherwise prevent long-term housing solutions.
Maricopa County Eviction Prevention Pilot Program
In 2026, Maricopa County and the City of Phoenix introduced an Eviction Prevention Pilot Program offering eligible households up to $3,200 toward up to two months of past-due rent. The pilot targeted residents in ZIP codes 85008, 85040, 85041, and 85042.
Applications closed Aug. 21, 2026, so the program is not currently accepting applications, but residents can check the official program page for updates or announcements about future assistance.
Legal assistance
Phoenix Eviction Legal Services Program
If you have received an eviction notice or are at risk of losing your housing, the City of Phoenix’s Eviction Legal Services Program may be able to help. Eligible residents can receive free legal assistance, which may include advice, mediation, or representation in eviction proceedings. Applicants must meet income and other eligibility requirements, which include making up to 80% of the area’s median income, and being either at risk for or already evicted.
Seeking legal advice promptly in an eviction process is vital, and the affordability of this option makes it viable. Fill out an application online or call 602-262-7210.
Community Legal Services
Yet another legal service option, Community Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents of all of Maricopa County, including tenants facing eviction due to nonpayment of rent. Depending on eligibility and the circumstances of the case, services may include legal advice, help negotiating with a landlord, or representation in court.
Phoenix tenants facing eviction can call the Tenants Eviction Assistance Project at 602-385-8880. For other civil legal help, call Community Legal Services’ main line at 602-258-3434.
Resources navigation
211Arizona
More than just rental assistance, 211Arizona is a referral service that helps residents find the appropriate resources for:
- Supplemental food and nutrition programs
- Shelter and housing options
- Utilities assistance
- Emergency information and disaster relief
- Employment and education opportunities
- Services for veterans
- Healthcare
- Vaccination and health epidemic information
- Addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs
- Re-entry help for ex-offenders
- Support groups for individuals with mental illnesses or special needs
- A safe, confidential path out of physical and/or emotional domestic violence.
All you have to do is dial 211 from within Arizona or call 877-211-8661. The line is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and services are offered in both English and Spanish.
Keys to Change
When the process of finding, securing, and affording a rental seems too overwhelming and you’re not sure where to start, sometimes a social worker is key. Keys to Change is located in the Brian Garcia Welcome Center and aims to resolve homelessness by connecting clients with appropriate services and resources through a social worker.
Visit the Brian Garcia Welcome Center at 206 S. 12th Ave., open 24 hours a day, for in-person intake. The center serves single adults; families with children should contact the Family Housing Hub at 602-595-8700.
Other helpful links
If you haven’t found a program that fits your circumstances, the Arizona Department of Housing maintains a directory of rental assistance and eviction-prevention resources serving Maricopa County. Because eligibility and funding vary by location and provider, the directory can help residents identify additional organizations to contact.
Although dated, this PDF list provides information on rental assistance programs, shelters, and more.
Lighthouse Social Services is another available resource. The website has a long list of helpful assistance programs, and a single phone call can set you up with a social worker willing to hear your story and connect you to programs that others may not have heard of.
If you make between 80% and 120% of the area median income, you may be eligible for the Arizona is Home program that assists first-time buyers with purchasing a home. Up to $30,000 of assistance, which can be used as a down payment or rate buydown, is available for those seeking to secure a home of their own. This doesn’t help with rent, but it is something to consider once you get back on your feet.
Closing thoughts
A lost job, recent breakup, broken-down car, escape from a toxic situation, desire to eat three full meals, unexpected pregnancy, spike in rent at the end of a lease, medical complications—there are many reasons that assistance becomes necessary, and it is OK to ask for help. These programs are filled with empathetic, understanding people who want to help set you up for success, and they understand how hard it can be to reach out when you need a lifeline.
Raised by a single mom who had to make difficult decisions, I am eternally grateful for the programs that kept a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. I probably wouldn’t be sitting in my own home today, researching resources for you, if it weren’t for her willingness to ask for help decades ago. If you’re struggling, reaching out isn’t a failure. It’s a step forward.
