Housing Help

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. If rent is due, a shutoff notice came, or you're worried about losing your home, take a breath. You're not the first, and there are people in Arizona who help with exactly this.

Start by calling your Community Action Agency or dialing 211. Help with rent, deposits and utility bills often depends on funds, so it helps to ask early.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.

Where do I start if I'm behind on rent?

Call your local Community Action Agency or dial 211 as soon as you can. Many places help with rent, deposits or utility bills when funds allow, and help is easier to find before things get worse.

In Phoenix, call the Family Services Centers appointment line. In Maricopa County outside Glendale, Mesa and Phoenix, the county Human Services Department helps through Community Action Program offices. In Tucson, start with Pima County's Community Assistance Division.

Sources: https://des.az.gov/CommunityActionAgencies

What if I got an eviction notice or court papers?

Don't ignore it. Read it carefully and keep it.

Court papers usually come with a date, and going matters.

Questions about evictions? Check the official page below. AZLawHelp.org explains the process in plain words and helps you find legal aid near you. Read the details there and decide what's right for you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.azlawhelp.org/

Can I get help with my utility bills?

Yes, maybe. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households who qualify with heating and cooling bills, including in a utility crisis.

Apply through the A-to-Z Arizona Portal, on paper, or with your Community Action Agency. The LIHEAP service line is 866.494.1981, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Sources: https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/shelter-housing/utility-assistance

BUNKLY TIP

Call your utility too

Many utility companies have payment plans or programs that lower bills. Ask what they offer before a shutoff happens.

What if I need help with a deposit or moving?

Some Community Action Agencies help with rental deposits, and the City of Phoenix Family Services Centers may help with move in costs when funds allow. Ask 211 about programs near you.

• Ask if the help goes straight to the landlord.
• Ask what papers you'll need, like a lease or a landlord letter.
• Ask how long it usually takes.

Think you were treated differently when renting?

Think you were treated differently because of your race, religion, disability, family or another part of who you are? You can report it.

AZLawHelp.org, listed below, explains how in plain words. Check the details there and decide for yourself.

Questions people ask a lot

How do I make the most of each call?

Calling for help can feel like a lot. A little planning makes each call easier, and you'll get further, faster.

• Call early in the day if you can. It leaves time to follow up the same day.
• Have a pen, paper and your papers close by before you call.
• Say what you need in one or two sentences first. Then answer their questions.
• Ask, "Is there anything else I should apply for?" One call can open more doors.
• Before you hang up, ask who you talked to and what happens next.
• Write it all down in your call log at the back of this guide.

BUNKLY TIP

Keep going, friend

If one place can't help, ask them who can. Each call gets you closer.

What if I'm told no, or put on a waitlist?

A no from one place isn't a no from everyone. Programs have different rules, funds and space, and things change from week to week.

• Ask why. Knowing the reason helps you know what to try next.
• Ask, "Who else could help with this?" Write down every name and number they share.
• If you're on a waitlist, ask how long it usually takes and how you'll hear from them. Ask how often you should check in.
• Keep your phone number and address up to date with every program, so you don't miss a call or letter.
• If a state agency turns you down, read the letter right away. It explains how to ask for a review. Call legal aid if you want help.
• Dial 211, or search 211arizona.org any time, to look for other options near you.

BUNKLY TIP

You're doing great

Asking for help, and asking again, takes strength. I'm cheering you on every step of the way.

Who can I call in my county?

Here is help that works across Arizona, then local help in Maricopa County (Phoenix) and Pima County (Tucson), then help for other counties. Call ahead for hours.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Arizona

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Maricopa County (Phoenix)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Pima County (Tucson)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Other counties (call your Community Action Agency)

Every Arizona county has a Community Action Agency that can help with utility bills, rent, deposits and emergency shelter when funds allow. If you don't live in Maricopa or Pima County, start here. Phone lines get busy, so keep trying, or dial 211.

Other local groups may also help.

My housing plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

BUNKLY TIP

You're doing the right thing

Asking for help is a strong thing to do, my friend. You don't need to have it all figured out before you call. Take it one step at a time, and call again tomorrow if you need to.

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 22, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Affordable living. Simplified

Download the PDF

Last updated October 22, 2026