Last updated: November 11, 2026
Bottom line
Arizona does not have one housing program for every family. Your best first step depends on whether you need a safe place tonight, help with past-due rent, lower rent for the long term, utility help, or legal help with an eviction.
The former statewide Arizona Rental Assistance Program has ended. New applications are not accepted. Arizona says applications filed on or before August 31, 2024 may still be processed. New applicants should use local city, county, tribal, Community Action, shelter, and housing-authority programs instead.
Start with the ASMOM housing help hub for national options. Food, child care, and utility benefits may also help you cover housing costs. Check the related Arizona guides below.
Urgent help today
If you may have no safe place to sleep, call 2-1-1 or use 2-1-1 Arizona. Say that children are in your household and ask for the housing crisis line, family shelter, coordinated entry, and any open rent or motel help in your ZIP code. Shelter space and funds can be limited, so ask what to do if the first program is full.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If abuse, threats, stalking, or control are part of the housing problem, use the Arizona violence services page or the National DV Hotline for confidential support. Use a safer phone or device if someone may be watching your calls, messages, or browser history.
If you received eviction court papers, do not miss the hearing. Check the Arizona eviction page and contact legal aid as soon as you can. A pending rent-help application does not always stop a court case.
What has changed since August 2026
Power AZ has run out of funds. Arizona stopped accepting new Power AZ applications after September 21, 2026. The regular LIHEAP program is a separate utility-help option and still takes applications, subject to funds and rules. Do not use an old Power AZ page as a current application route.
Arizona’s statewide rent-help program is still closed to new cases. Local rent help, shelter access, and housing waitlists have different rules based on where you live. Check the live intake route before sending private papers. DES explains the closed program.
Where to start
Choose the box that matches your most urgent need. You can work on more than one path at the same time.
I need shelter
Call 2-1-1 and ask for family shelter or coordinated entry. Also check the DES homeless services page for the access system that covers your area.
I am behind on rent
Contact your local Community Action Agency, city, or county. Ask whether rent, deposit, mortgage, or utility funds are taking applications today.
I need lower rent
Apply to every public housing, Housing Choice Voucher, and property-based list you may qualify for. Lists are separate and may open or close at different times.
I have court papers
Call legal aid and follow the court instructions. Keep looking for rent help, but do not wait for a funding decision before dealing with the case.
Before you apply, make one folder for photo IDs, income proof, rent notices, lease papers, and records for each child. Ask what to do if a document is missing.
Quick reference table
| Your need | Best first contact | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Safe place tonight | 2-1-1 and local coordinated entry | Space may be limited. Ask for the next safe option if no bed is open. |
| Past-due rent or deposit | Community Action, city, or county | Funds can pause or run out. Ask whether applications are open today. |
| Long-term lower rent | Local housing authorities and properties | Waitlists can be long or closed. Apply to more than one list. |
| Utility shutoff | LIHEAP or local Community Action Agency | Power AZ closed to new applications after Sept. 21, 2026. Ask LIHEAP about crisis help. |
| Eviction or lockout threat | Court information and legal aid | Do not miss a hearing or rely only on a rent-help application. |
Rent and crisis help in Arizona
Short-Term Crisis Services
Arizona Short-Term Crisis Services can help some low-income families with a short emergency. A dependent child must live in the home. The program may help with rent or mortgage payments, emergency shelter, utility bills or deposits, rental deposits, and some needs tied to keeping or getting a job.
Current DES rules say the household must live in Arizona, meet income rules, and show proof of the emergency. The listed income limit is generally 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, or 150% when the household includes a person age 60 or older or a person with a disability. Help is limited to once in a 12-month period and is not guaranteed.
Who can qualify: DES requires a child under 18 who meets U.S. citizen or qualified-resident rules. Ask your local Community Action Agency which crisis documents to bring.
Community Action Agencies
Apply for crisis help through the Arizona agency directory. The agency that serves your address may screen you for rent, mortgage, deposit, utility, weatherization, and other local programs. Ask whether it accepts online, paper, phone, or in-person applications.
Ask the agency which rent, deposit, or utility funds it handles, whether applications are open, and what to do if its budget is spent.
Do not rely on old rent pages
Arizona’s statewide rental program is closed, and local funding changes often. A page can still appear online after a fund closes. Ask, “Are you taking new applications today?” and “Is there another fund if this one is full?”
Local Arizona programs
Rent and utility help is often tied to where you live. Use the correct office for your address.
| Area | Where to start | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Phoenix crisis assistance | The city offers emergency housing and utility help when funds and appointments are available. |
| Maricopa County outside Phoenix, Mesa, and Glendale | Maricopa rental help | County programs may help with rent, deposits, or utilities. Rules differ by fund and prior aid received. |
| Pima County and Tucson | Pima community help | The county Community Action office screens for rent, mortgage, and utility help. Tucson also lists tenant and eviction resources. |
| Other counties or tribal areas | DES agency directory and 2-1-1 | Ask for the agency serving your exact ZIP code or tribal community. Service areas do not always follow city lines. |
Tucson renters can also check the city’s tenant resource page for current legal aid and eviction-prevention contacts. If one office is full, ask which other agency covers your address.
Maricopa County: The county rent program covers residents outside Phoenix, Mesa, and Glendale. Applicants must be past due on rent and show a crisis event; start with the county’s listed Community Action office or online portal. Residents of the three named cities should contact their city’s own program.
In Pima County: The Community Action Agency lists 520-724-2667 for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance. Funding is limited. Ask which forms and proof of crisis are needed before your appointment.
Section 8, public housing, and affordable apartments
Section 8 is another name for the Housing Choice Voucher program. A voucher may help an eligible family rent from a private landlord. Public housing is usually owned or managed by a housing authority. Project-based assistance stays with a certain apartment or building.
Each housing authority runs its own lists. Use the HUD housing contacts page to find the office for your city or county. The ASMOM Section 8 guide explains the basic process, common documents, and waitlist steps.
The Arizona housing authority handles Housing Choice Vouchers for Yavapai County only. The state agency currently lists its Yavapai voucher waiting list as closed. Check the live notice before you plan to apply. Other Arizona housing authorities have their own rules and open or close their lists separately.
Use the state’s affordable housing search to look for subsidized, income-restricted, accessible, and other lower-cost rentals. Call each property to confirm vacancies, rent, deposits, household-size rules, and whether you apply at the property or through a housing authority.
What to ask each office
- Is any voucher, public housing, or project-based list open?
- Can I apply online, by mail, or in person?
- Does the list have local preferences?
- How do I report a new phone number or address?
- Can I request a disability accommodation?
Keep proof that you applied. Check your mail, email, and online account. A missed notice can cause removal from a list.
Shelter, coordinated entry, and school help
Arizona uses local coordinated entry systems to connect people facing homelessness with shelter and housing programs. An assessment does not promise a bed or apartment. It helps the local system understand your needs and make referrals based on available programs.
When you call, say where your family slept last night, whether you must leave soon, how many children are with you, and whether anyone is pregnant, disabled, medically fragile, or unsafe. Ask what you should do if shelter is full.
If abuse makes home unsafe, ask a state-supported domestic violence program about safe shelter and planning. These services may offer private support or short-term housing, but space and rules vary. Use a device the abuser cannot see, if possible.
If your family is staying in a motel, shelter, car, or another person’s home because you lost housing, contact your child’s school. The Arizona school rights page explains help under McKinney-Vento. Ask for the district or charter school homeless liaison, who may help with enrollment, school stability, transportation, and needed records.
If you move into a new home but lack beds, dishes, or other basics, check the Arizona furniture and household-items guide. Ask whether an agency referral or proof of your new address is needed. This is separate from shelter placement.
Utility, weatherization, and repair help
Arizona LIHEAP utility assistance can help some families with heat, cooling, and urgent shutoffs. Apply through the A-to-Z Arizona Portal or ask for a paper form. Power AZ stopped taking new applications after September 21, 2026. Earlier cases may still be reviewed. LIHEAP has different income rules and funding.
Gather a current bill, photo ID, proof of income, and any shutoff notice. Some families receiving DES SNAP or Cash Assistance already meet the LIHEAP income test and do not need to send income proof again. DES has separate regular and crisis benefits. If your power may be shut off, ask for crisis help. Approval is not guaranteed. Call 1-866-494-1981 for application help.
The Arizona utility assistance guide covers other bill-help options. The state weatherization program may also help eligible renters or owners lower energy bills with home improvements.
Very-low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas can check USDA home repair help. Loans may help with repairs or updates, while grants are limited to eligible older homeowners removing health and safety hazards.
Eviction, repairs, and fair housing rights
This section is general information, not legal advice. Arizona eviction cases can move quickly. Read every notice, keep copies, attend all hearings, and ask a legal aid office or lawyer about your case.
Community Legal Services helps eligible Arizonans with some evictions, subsidized housing, unsafe conditions, foreclosure, disability accommodations, and fair housing matters. Other legal aid groups cover counties outside its service area, and the Arizona court page lists regional contacts.
The Arizona tenant law page provides the state landlord and tenant act. The housing department explains that no state agency enforces every private landlord-tenant dispute, so legal help or court action may be needed when the parties cannot resolve a problem.
Fair housing laws protect families with children and people in other protected groups. They may also require reasonable disability accommodations. The Arizona fair housing page says a state complaint generally must be filed within 12 months of the discrimination.
For a wider list of legal and safety paths, use the ASMOM Arizona legal help guide.
When rent is unpaid: For many standard Arizona residential rentals, the landlord must give a written five-day notice before filing a nonpayment eviction. Other rules may apply to mobile homes, some subsidized housing, or other eviction grounds. If you get a summons, follow its court date. In some nonpayment cases, paying the full legal amount before judgment may restore the lease. Check the Arizona court’s notice guide and ask legal aid about your situation.
Documents to gather
Each program has its own list. Gather what you have and ask what can be used if a paper is missing.
| Document | Why it may be needed |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Confirms the person applying. |
| Lease or landlord statement | Shows the address, rent, landlord, and household terms. |
| Past-due or eviction notice | Shows the amount owed and urgent date. |
| Utility bill or shutoff notice | Shows the account, balance, and service risk. |
| Income proof | May include pay stubs, benefit letters, unemployment, or child support records. |
| Household records | May include birth certificates, Social Security numbers, or school records. |
| Proof of crisis | May include job loss, reduced hours, medical costs, car repair, or a safety event. |
| Housing applications | Helps you track dates, confirmation numbers, and offices contacted. |
Do not send IDs, Social Security numbers, leases, or bank records to an unverified person on social media. Use the official website, office, or email given by the program.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the lockout date to call for help.
- Applying to only one housing list.
- Missing court because a rent application is pending.
- Using an old statewide rent application that is closed.
- Not updating your contact details on waitlists.
- Paying someone who promises a voucher or guaranteed approval.
- Sending private papers through an unverified link.
What to do if help is denied or closed
Ask for the reason in writing. A denial, missing-paper notice, closed waitlist, and lack of funds are different problems. Ask whether you can correct the file, appeal, reapply, join another list, or use a different local fund.
Follow every deadline on the notice. Keep copies of your forms, screenshots, letters, and the names of staff you spoke with. Ask the agency how to request a review and which documents can fix the issue.
Build a backup list. Call 2-1-1 again with your exact ZIP code, ask the school liaison for referrals, contact a second housing authority, and check local charities or faith groups. These groups may have limited help, and none can promise housing.
If LIHEAP denies or delays your case: DES lets you request an administrative review within 10 calendar days of the decision or appeal directly within 20 calendar days. If you seek review first and disagree with that result, DES lists 20 calendar days to appeal the review decision. Other housing programs use different rules, so always read your own notice.
Homebuyer help is not emergency rent help
Homebuyer programs may help some buyers with down payment or closing costs. They usually require lender approval, income review, credit review, and homebuyer steps. They are not a fast answer to eviction or homelessness.
The statewide HOME Plus program offers down-payment help through approved lenders. The Arizona Is Home program serves eligible first-time buyers in Maricopa and Pima Counties who meet current income and program rules. Confirm funding and lender requirements before making plans.
The Arizona homebuyer assistance guide compares lender steps and local options. Arizona Is Home in Maricopa and Pima Counties uses a second-mortgage structure, not a simple no-strings cash grant; some amounts can be due if you sell before the loan term ends. Check state rules and participating partners before assuming the help is forgivable.
Phone scripts
Calling 2-1-1
“I live in [ZIP code] with [number] children. We need help with [shelter, rent, deposit, or utilities]. What programs are taking referrals today, and what should I do if the first one is full?”
Calling Community Action
“Do you serve my address? I need help with [rent, deposit, mortgage, or utilities]. Which funds are open today, what documents do you need, and how do I apply?”
Calling a housing authority
“Are any voucher, public housing, or project-based lists open? How do I apply, update my contact details, and request an accommodation if needed?”
Calling legal aid
“I received an eviction notice or court papers. My hearing is on [date]. Do I qualify for help, and what papers should I bring?”
Resumen en español
Si necesita refugio o puede quedarse sin vivienda, llame al 2-1-1 y diga que tiene niños en el hogar. Pregunte por refugio familiar, ayuda con la renta, entrada coordinada y programas abiertos en su código postal.
El programa estatal Arizona Rental Assistance Program ya no acepta solicitudes nuevas. Para ayuda actual, comuníquese con su ciudad, condado, agencia de acción comunitaria o autoridad de vivienda. Si recibió papeles de desalojo, no falte a la corte y pida ayuda legal pronto.
Para las facturas de luz o calefacción, revise LIHEAP. El programa Power AZ dejó de aceptar solicitudes nuevas después del 21 de septiembre de 2026. Si tiene una fecha de corte, dígalo al pedir ayuda. Si tiene papeles de la corte de desalojo, siga las fechas del aviso.
FAQ
Is Arizona accepting new statewide rental assistance applications?
No. The Arizona Rental Assistance Program has ended, and new applications are not accepted. Applications filed on or before August 31, 2024 may still be processed. New applicants should check local city, county, Community Action, and 2-1-1 resources.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Arizona?
Apply through the housing authority that serves your city or county when its list is open. Arizona has several housing authorities, and each controls its own waiting lists, applications, preferences, and updates.
What can Short-Term Crisis Services help pay?
It may help with rent, mortgage payments, emergency shelter, utility bills or deposits, rental deposits, and some work-related crisis costs. The family must meet the child, income, and crisis-proof rules. Help is not guaranteed and is generally limited to once in 12 months.
Can 2-1-1 pay my rent?
2-1-1 usually provides referrals rather than paying rent itself. A call specialist can search for open rent, shelter, utility, legal, and family programs based on your ZIP code and situation.
What should I do if I have an eviction court date?
Read the court papers, attend the hearing, and contact legal aid quickly. Keep applying for rent help, but do not assume a pending application will stop the case.
Can single mothers get homebuyer grants in Arizona?
Some programs may help eligible buyers with down payment or closing costs, but they are not emergency housing help. Buyers usually need lender approval and must meet current income, credit, property, and program rules.
Is Power AZ still available for my utility bill?
No. Power AZ stopped accepting new applications after September 21, 2026. You can still apply for LIHEAP if you meet its rules. Tell the office right away if you have a shutoff notice.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Source check: Last verified October 26, 2026, next review January 24, 2027.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.
Last updated: November 11, 2026 Next review: February 9, 2027