Housing Assistance for Single Mothers in Nevada

Where to start in Nevada

Quick reference

Rent, deposit, and local emergency help

Nevada sends part of its Affordable Housing Trust Fund to local governments for households that are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Local offices may use the money for rent, a security deposit, utilities, a utility deposit, or mortgage help. The state housing fund does not take one direct application from every family. Contact the office serving your area.

The official local contact list includes Clark County, Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, Washoe County, Carson City, and rural county offices. Call before visiting because money can run out and each office may use different forms.

Clark County

Clark County Social Service still lists general financial help for rent, utilities, and related housing costs. Its rental assistance page says a one-person household may receive up to $400, with up to $135 for each added household member. Help is normally limited to once in 12 months unless the county finds a work barrier or qualifying disability. Eligibility is not automatic.

The county portal also states that its Fixed Income and Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance programs are not accepting new applications because their funding is near its end. Applications already filed may still be processed while funds remain. This does not mean every Clark County social service is closed, so ask what general or other housing help is still available.

Washoe County and Reno

The Reno Housing Authority says its Homeless Prevention Program for Washoe County is not taking applications because of limited funding. Check its applicant page for changes and other referrals. You can also ask Reno, Sparks, Washoe County, and Nevada 211 about current local programs.

For help with other urgent needs, use the Nevada emergency guide while you wait for housing offices to respond.

Section 8, public housing, and waitlists

The Housing Choice Voucher program, often called Section 8, helps an eligible household rent from a private landlord. Public housing and project-based vouchers are tied to a property. These programs are long-term housing paths, not same-day rent help.

Income, household size, citizenship or eligible immigration rules, screening, and local preferences may affect eligibility. Getting on a list is not approval. The Section 8 guide explains the basic process.

Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority

The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) serves Clark County, including Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson. It has Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, affordable housing, and Rental Assistance Demonstration or project-based housing.

SNRHA’s recent 2026 notices opened selected public housing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and project-based lists for set dates. Do not assume the general voucher list is open. Check the applicant portal and current notices on the day you apply. Keep the email address and password used for the portal.

Reno Housing Authority

The Reno Housing Authority (RHA) serves Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County. Its current notice says all public housing sites and several project-based lists are open until further notice, while the Housing Choice Voucher list is not open. Apply only to lists that fit your household and property rules.

Nevada Rural Housing

Nevada Rural Housing serves eligible areas outside Clark and Washoe counties. Its official notice says the main voucher waiting list has been closed since December 16, 2022, until further notice. A property-based list can still open for a certain apartment community, so watch its notices and email alerts.

After applying anywhere, save the confirmation number. Report changes in your address, phone, email, income, or household. A housing office may remove an application if it cannot reach you.

Finding an affordable rental

A voucher waitlist and an apartment waitlist are not the same thing. You can search for income-restricted properties even when a general voucher list is closed.

NVHousingSearch is Nevada’s free statewide housing locator. Search by county, rent, bedroom size, accessibility needs, and voucher acceptance. A listing is not a promise that a unit is still open, so call the property before paying a fee or sending documents.

Ask each property:

• Is a unit available now?
• Is there a separate waitlist?
• What is the full move-in cost?
• What income limit applies?
• Do you accept Housing Choice Vouchers?
• Is an accessible unit available?

Energy assistance and weatherization

Nevada’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps eligible households with heating and cooling costs. The state evaluates applications year-round or until funds run out. Eligible households normally receive one annual credit paid to the energy provider.

The current EAP income page says a household must live in Nevada, meet citizenship rules, be at least partly responsible for heating or cooling costs, and have gross income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.

These FY 2027 limits apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Add $710 for each person over eight. Final eligibility depends on the full case.

The EAP application page lists the proof to send, including recent income for every household member, identification, recent utility bills, and an authorization letter if the bill is in another person’s name. Prior recipients may normally reapply about 11 months after their last benefit.

Weatherization is different from a bill payment. The Nevada weatherization program uses local providers to assess an eligible home and decide which energy-saving or safety work may be done. Renters may apply, but the property owner may need to approve work.

For more utility steps, check Nevada utility help.

Eviction, landlord problems, and fair housing

This section gives general information, not legal advice. Nevada eviction notices can require a tenant to act within the time stated in the notice. Read every page and contact legal help quickly.

Nevada Legal Services provides statewide civil legal help and eviction intake. In Southern Nevada, the tenant rights hotline from Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada handles eviction and housing questions. The statewide Nevada court guide explains court forms and directs Clark and Washoe County residents to local self-help sites.

Do not assume a landlord can change the locks or remove you without a legal process. If you face a lockout, utility shutoff by a landlord, unsafe conditions, or a notice you do not understand, ask legal aid what rules apply to your case.

If you believe a landlord, property manager, lender, or housing program treated you differently because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability, use the HUD complaint page. Familial status includes households with children and pregnancy. Time limits may apply.

The Nevada legal guide lists more civil legal resources.

Safety, disability, and school help

Domestic violence

The Nevada Attorney General provides a Nevada safety directory with local domestic violence programs. Use a safer phone or computer when possible if someone may monitor your device. Ask an advocate about shelter, confidential services, protection-order information, and housing options.

Disability accommodations

If a disability makes it hard to use a portal, attend an appointment, understand notices, or live in a standard unit, ask the housing authority or property for a reasonable accommodation. The request does not promise approval, but the office should explain its process. The disability help guide covers related benefit and caregiver paths.

School help during homelessness

If your family is staying in a shelter, motel, car, temporary place, or doubled up because you lost housing, contact your child’s school district McKinney-Vento liaison. The Nevada school program says eligible students may receive immediate enrollment and help with transportation, school records, clothing, fees, and other school needs.

Documents to gather

Do not delay your first call because one paper is missing. Ask what the program accepts, then build a folder. Use the documents checklist for a longer list.

If help is denied, delayed, or closed

Ask for the decision in writing. Find out whether the problem is a closed list, missing document, income rule, household rule, screening issue, deadline, or lack of funds.

Ask what appeal, hearing, grievance, review, or reasonable-accommodation process applies. Save notices, portal screenshots, emails, forms, and confirmation numbers. Keep a log of calls and names.

The benefits problem guide gives general next steps. Follow the exact Nevada housing authority, county, court, or energy-program rules for your case.