Housing Assistance for Single Mothers

Where to start

The best first step depends on what is happening today. Use this page as a starting map, then contact the office or program that fits your problem.

For related ASMOM help, keep the rent and eviction guide, Section 8 guide, and local resource guide open as you make calls.

Quick reference table

Emergency shelter and crisis housing

Emergency shelter is local. It may be run by a city, county, nonprofit, faith group, domestic violence program, or homeless response system. Some areas have family shelters. Some use hotel or motel help only in limited cases. Some have no open beds on a given night.

Start with 211 and HUD Find Shelter. Ask for family shelter, homeless prevention, coordinated entry, street outreach, and youth or teen parent help if that fits your case. If one number says no, ask who has the current shelter list for families with children.

If your housing problem is tied to abuse, do not rely only on public shelter lists. A domestic violence advocate may help with safety planning, confidential shelter, legal referrals, and local housing options. ASMOM also has a domestic violence guide for safer next steps.

Emergency rent help and eviction prevention

Rent help is usually local and limited by funding. It may come from a city, county, state agency, Community Action agency, United Way partner, tribal program, housing nonprofit, church, or local charity. Some programs pay the landlord directly. Some require a lease, rent ledger, proof of income, notice from the landlord, or court papers.

Ask for eviction prevention, rent arrears help, move-in help, security deposit help, landlord mediation, and utility help. If you have a court date, ask legal aid how a rent help application affects your case. Do not assume a pending application will stop an eviction.

The federal pandemic Emergency Rental Assistance program is not a normal open national program now. Treasury says ERA2 grantees may no longer use ERA2 funds to assist renters, but many places still have local rent or eviction prevention funds. Check the Treasury ERA update, then ask your local office what is open now.

For local case management, utility help, and referrals, check ASMOM’s Community Action guide. Community Action agencies often know which programs serve your county.

Housing Choice Vouchers, PHAs, and public housing

Public Housing Agencies, often called PHAs, run many HUD rental assistance programs at the local level. Use the HUD PHA contact list to find the agencies that serve your city, county, or region.

The Housing Choice Voucher program, also called Section 8, can help eligible families pay rent for private housing that meets program rules. USAGov’s Section 8 page explains that local PHAs manage vouchers, eligibility is based on income, family size, and citizenship or eligible immigration status, and long waits are common.

Public housing is different. It usually means a lower-rent home connected to a PHA. USAGov’s public housing page says local PHAs decide eligibility and explain how to apply. Public housing can include apartments, single-family homes, or other unit types.

Affordable apartment searches beyond vouchers

Do not stop with one voucher list. Many lower-rent apartments are tied to a property, not to a portable voucher. Some buildings have their own waitlists and their own income rules.

USAGov explains subsidized housing as housing where the government pays owners to lower rents for tenants with low incomes. You can search the HUD Resource Locator for affordable housing, public housing, homeless resources, and USDA rural housing. HUD notes that you must contact the property or agency directly because the locator does not show unit openings or waitlist details.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties are another path. The HUD User LIHTC database can help you find properties that may have income and rent limits. Call the property manager and ask if the waitlist is open, what unit sizes are available, what income rules apply, and what fees are charged.

Rural housing help

If you live outside a large city, check USDA Rural Development housing. USDA has a rural rental search by state. USDA also explains USDA rental assistance for some low-income tenants in USDA-financed rural rental or farm labor housing properties.

Rural help can be harder to reach because offices, shelters, and apartments may be spread out. Ask 211, your county social services office, and local nonprofits about transportation, fuel cards, motel help, and nearby regional programs. If food or cash help is part of the crisis, ASMOM’s SNAP guide and TANF guide may help with other needs.

Utility help can protect housing

A shutoff notice can make a housing crisis worse. Ask for help before the shutoff date if you can. The federal LIHEAP program helps with energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and some small energy-related repairs. Rules and funding vary by state and local office.

USAGov’s energy bill help page explains that LIHEAP and the Weatherization Assistance Program can help with heating, cooling, and home weatherization. It also notes that shutoff rules vary by state, weather, disability, age, and utility provider.

Call the utility company too. Ask about payment plans, budget billing, medical protections, hardship funds, and whether a local agency can pledge payment. For more steps, use ASMOM’s LIHEAP guide and phone and internet guide.

Legal aid, tenant rights, and housing discrimination

This guide gives general information only. It is not legal advice. If you receive an eviction notice, court summons, lockout threat, repair notice, utility shutoff tied to the landlord, or confusing lease demand, contact legal aid or a court help center as soon as possible.

The Legal Services Corporation has a legal aid finder for civil legal help by location. A HUD-approved housing counselor may also help renters understand housing options, credit issues, foreclosure, or local housing resources.

Housing discrimination is illegal in most housing. HUD says the Fair Housing Act protects people in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Familial status can include children under 18, pregnancy, or seeking legal custody. You can use HUD’s HUD complaint form if you believe discrimination happened.

If you need more family safety or court-related help, see ASMOM’s legal help guide. Court rules are local, so confirm deadlines with the court or legal aid.

Documents and information to gather

Do not delay an emergency shelter call because you are missing one paper. For applications, start a simple folder on your phone and on paper if possible. Save photos of notices, letters, emails, portal messages, and receipts.

For a fuller list, use ASMOM’s documents checklist. If child care or health coverage is part of the housing crisis, also check the child care guide and Medicaid guide.

What to do if help is denied or delayed

Ask for the decision in writing when possible. Save screenshots, emails, letters, and portal messages. Ask why you were denied, what rule was used, whether you can fix missing documents, and how to appeal or request review.

If an office is not responding and a deadline is near, call again, use the online portal if one exists, visit in person if safe and practical, and ask 211 or legal aid for another path. For eviction court, legal aid may matter more than repeated calls to rent programs.

ASMOM’s denied benefits guide can help you organize letters, deadlines, and appeal questions. If you disagree with a PHA decision, ask the PHA for its written appeal or informal hearing steps.