The federal Emergency Rental Assistance programs that helped millions of renters stay housed during the pandemic are gone. ERA1 closed in late 2022. ERA2's period of performance ended on September 30, 2025, with final reports due to the U.S. Treasury on January 28, 2026. That money is no longer available to renters anywhere in the country. If you are searching for emergency rental assistance in 2026, here is a direct answer: you will not find a single federal ERA portal, but there are real options still available through state programs, local agencies, housing vouchers, and community organizations.
What Were ERA1 and ERA2?
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 created the first Emergency Rental Assistance program (ERA1) with $25 billion in funding. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 added another $21.55 billion through ERA2. Together, the two programs distributed over $46 billion to states, counties, cities, and tribal governments to pass along to renters and landlords covering back rent, forward rent, and utilities.
At their peak, these programs helped an estimated 8 to 10 million households. Some states and localities moved money quickly. Others struggled with bureaucratic bottlenecks and slow rollout. By the time ERA2 wound down, unspent funds in some grantee accounts were recaptured and reallocated to higher-need areas, but the program authority itself expired.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition's ERA Dashboard tracked distributions in real time. Today, that dashboard shows the programs as closed.
The Emergency Housing Voucher Wind-Down
Alongside ERA, the American Rescue Plan created 70,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) specifically for people experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or at immediate risk of losing housing. Unlike ERA, EHVs were long-term rental subsidies tied to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
In March 2025, HUD announced that EHV funding would be depleted faster than expected, originally projected to last through FY2030. Rapid rent increases across the country burned through the funding pool years ahead of schedule. As of late 2025, nearly 60,000 families were still using EHVs, but funding shortfalls were accumulating at local public housing authorities.
Some EHV programs are setting hard end dates. Georgia's Department of Community Affairs announced its EHV program will end on June 30, 2026. Other housing authorities are transitioning EHV holders to standard Section 8 vouchers where funding allows, but availability varies widely by location.
If you currently hold an EHV, contact your local public housing authority immediately to ask about transition options before your funding ends.
What Rental Assistance Is Still Available in 2026?
The landscape has shifted from a centralized federal program to a decentralized patchwork of local, state, and nonprofit resources. That makes finding help harder, but help does still exist.
State and Local Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
Many states replaced or supplemented federal ERA funding with state-appropriated programs. Eligibility varies widely, but most use income thresholds tied to Area Median Income (AMI) rather than the federal poverty level.
| Program Type | Typical Income Limit | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| State ERAP programs | 50 to 80% AMI | Back rent, sometimes forward rent |
| County emergency funds | Varies, often 30 to 60% AMI | 1 to 3 months of back rent |
| Nonprofit emergency housing funds | Flexible, case-by-case | Partial or full months |
| Court-based eviction diversion | Varies | Often covers the exact arrears amount |
To find programs currently accepting applications in your area, the fastest path is calling 2-1-1 from any phone in the United States. A local specialist will tell you which programs are open, what documentation you need, and in some cases help you apply on the spot.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition also maintains an updated database at nlihc.org/rental-assistance that lists active programs by state.
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program remains the largest federal rental subsidy available. Vouchers cover the difference between 30% of a household's income and the fair market rent for a unit in your area.
Income eligibility is based on Area Median Income, which varies by county:
| Income Category | AMI Threshold | Priority Level |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely low income | 30% AMI or federal poverty guidelines (whichever is higher) | Highest priority |
| Very low income | 50% AMI | Standard eligibility |
| Low income | 80% AMI | Limited eligibility |
The major limitation of Section 8 in 2026 is the waitlist. Most housing authorities closed their Section 8 waitlists years ago and are not currently accepting new applications. A handful of housing authorities open their waitlists periodically, sometimes for just a few days. The National Low Income Housing Coalition's 2026 housing voucher funding analysis found that demand far exceeds available supply.
To check your local housing authority's waitlist status, search "[your city or county] public housing authority" and look for the Housing Choice Voucher program page.
LIHEAP: Energy Assistance That Frees Up Rent Money
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) does not pay rent directly, but it covers heating and cooling costs, which frees up cash for rent. If your household is struggling to pay rent because energy bills are consuming too much of your income, LIHEAP can help close that gap.
LIHEAP income limits are set at 150% of the federal poverty level as the maximum, with most states setting their own thresholds lower.
2026 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines (used as LIHEAP reference):
| Household Size | 100% FPL (Annual) | 150% FPL (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,060 | $22,590 |
| 2 people | $20,440 | $30,660 |
| 3 people | $25,820 | $38,730 |
| 4 people | $31,200 | $46,800 |
| 5 people | $36,580 | $54,870 |
| 6 people | $41,960 | $62,940 |
Several states have LIHEAP open through spring 2026. Pennsylvania's application window runs through May 8, 2026. Illinois is accepting applications through August 15, 2026, or until funding runs out. Apply early, because funds are exhausted before the official window closes in most states.
To apply for LIHEAP, contact your state energy assistance office or local community action agency. You can also use the LIHEAP Clearinghouse eligibility tool at liheapch.acf.gov.
Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Programs
Many counties and cities fund homelessness prevention programs separately from ERA. These programs often work through a court-based diversion model, meaning if you have received an eviction notice or are in eviction proceedings, legal aid or the housing court itself can connect you to a fund that pays your arrears to stop the eviction.
These programs vary significantly by location but share a common characteristic: they move faster than most government programs because the goal is to stop an eviction before it becomes a court judgment or a formal eviction record.
If you have received a pay-or-quit notice or an eviction filing, search for "[your county] eviction diversion program" or "[your city] homelessness prevention fund." You can also call 2-1-1 and specifically mention that you have an eviction notice, which will flag you for faster routing.
Nonprofit and Faith-Based Emergency Funds
Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Family Services, and local community foundations all maintain emergency funds for rent and utilities. These programs often have fewer eligibility requirements than government programs and can sometimes issue a pledge letter to a landlord within 24 to 48 hours.
A pledge letter is a written commitment from the organization to pay a specific amount to the landlord, which can pause an eviction proceeding even before funds are disbursed.
To find faith-based and nonprofit rental help near you, in addition to calling 2-1-1, you can search 211.org by category and ZIP code.
How to Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance in 2026: Step by Step
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Call 2-1-1. Do this first. Tell them you need help with rent and whether you have an eviction notice. They will tell you which programs are currently open in your area and what each one requires.
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Gather your documents before applying. Most programs need: a current lease or rental agreement, proof of income for all household members for the past 30 to 60 days (pay stubs, benefit award letters, or a zero-income statement), a copy of any eviction notice or past-due rent statement from your landlord, and a government-issued ID.
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Contact your landlord. Many landlords will accept a payment plan or pause eviction proceedings once they know a program has been contacted. Programs often require landlord cooperation to process payment, so letting your landlord know you have applied can buy you time.
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Apply to multiple programs at the same time. Unlike some benefit programs, there is no penalty for applying to multiple emergency rental assistance sources simultaneously. Apply to everything available. You can only receive payment from one source for the same rent period, but applying broadly improves your odds of getting funded quickly.
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Check the NLIHC rental assistance database. Visit nlihc.org/rental-assistance to see programs open in your state. This database is updated regularly.
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Contact a legal aid office if you have an eviction filing. If an eviction case has already been filed in court, a legal aid attorney can request a continuance while you wait for assistance funding, potentially giving you additional weeks. Search "[your state] legal aid" or "[your county] legal aid" to find free representation.
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Use the Benefits Navigator screener. A free eligibility check at /screener will show you the full range of programs you may qualify for, including housing assistance, food assistance, health coverage, and utility help. Stacking multiple programs can significantly reduce your monthly expenses and make rent more manageable going forward.
What to Do If You Can't Find Open Programs
If you have called 2-1-1, checked the NLIHC database, and cannot find an open program in your area, there are still steps to take before you face eviction.
Talk to your landlord directly about a written payment plan. Many landlords prefer a documented repayment schedule over the cost and time of eviction proceedings. Get any agreement in writing.
Contact your local housing court or courthouse. Some jurisdictions have on-site housing counselors or mediators at the courthouse who are specifically there to connect people in eviction proceedings with local resources, even when no major funding programs are active.
Look into whether your state has an eviction sealing or expungement law. Some states allow eviction records to be sealed if you resolve the debt within a specific timeframe. Avoiding a formal eviction judgment protects your rental history for future housing.
Programs Beyond Emergency Assistance
Emergency rental assistance was always intended to be a short-term bridge. For longer-term stability, other programs provide ongoing help:
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (discussed above) provide permanent subsidies but come with long waitlists. Put yourself on every open waitlist in your area now.
Public housing is another option through local housing authorities, also with waitlists but occasionally shorter than Section 8.
SNAP (food assistance) does not pay rent but reduces monthly food costs, which frees up income. A family of four with income below about $3,250 per month (gross) in 2026 may qualify for up to $1,000 per month in SNAP benefits. Use the screener at /screener to check your eligibility.
Medicaid eliminates or dramatically reduces healthcare costs, which is another major source of financial strain for low-income renters. If you are under 65 and your household income is below approximately 138% of FPL (in expansion states), you likely qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a national emergency rental assistance program in 2026?
No. The federal ERA1 and ERA2 programs both closed, with ERA2 officially ending its period of performance on September 30, 2025. There is no single national program accepting applications in 2026. Assistance is available through state, local, and nonprofit programs, which vary by location.
Where can I find rental assistance programs still open in my area?
Call 2-1-1 from any phone in the United States for a real-time referral to open programs near you. You can also search the National Low Income Housing Coalition's rental assistance database at nlihc.org/rental-assistance, which is updated as programs open and close.
What documents do I need to apply for emergency rental assistance?
Most programs require a current lease, proof of income for all household members, a past-due notice or statement from your landlord, and a government-issued photo ID. Some programs also ask for proof of a financial hardship such as a termination letter or medical bill.
How much can emergency rental assistance cover?
This depends on the program. When ERA1 and ERA2 were active, programs could cover up to 12 to 18 months of rent and utilities. Current local programs typically cover 1 to 3 months of back rent. Eviction diversion programs often cover the exact arrears amount needed to stop an active eviction case.
Can I get rental assistance if I already received ERA1 or ERA2 funds?
Yes. Previous ERA assistance does not disqualify you from current local or state programs. Each program sets its own rules about prior assistance history.
What income level qualifies for rental assistance in 2026?
It varies by program. Most use Area Median Income (AMI) as the benchmark. Common thresholds are 50% AMI, 60% AMI, or 80% AMI depending on the program. Some programs also use the federal poverty level. Calling 2-1-1 or checking with individual programs is the only way to know the exact limit for what is available in your area.
What happens if I have an Emergency Housing Voucher and my housing authority says funding is ending?
Contact your housing authority immediately and ask whether you can be transitioned to a standard Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. Some housing authorities are converting EHV holders to regular vouchers where their budget allows. Others may not be able to do so. If your EHV is ending, you should also apply to every other open rental assistance program in your area and contact a local legal aid office for advice on your options.
Does the Benefits Navigator screener show rental assistance programs?
The free screener at /screener checks eligibility for a range of federal and state programs including housing assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, and others. It is a good starting point to see what you may qualify for across multiple programs at once.
