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. Whether you're trying to keep the home you have, find a new one, or get back into housing, I'm really glad you're here. Housing worries can keep you up at night. Let's take it one step at a time.

Here is the easy first step: if you might lose your home soon, or you already have, dial 211 and tell them what's going on. Then use this guide to see your options as a renter in Ohio.

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 money, a unit or a spot in any program.
• This guide shares general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, talk with a legal aid office.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.

What kinds of housing help are there?

Housing help usually falls into three buckets. Knowing which one you need makes every phone call faster.

• Keeping your home. Help with late rent or utilities, talking with your landlord, and where to get legal help.
• Finding a home you can afford. Affordable apartments, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing.
• Getting back into housing. If you've lost your home, Coordinated Entry and Rapid Rehousing help people move back inside.

I'm behind on rent. What should I do?

First, take a breath. Being behind is scary, but acting early gives you the most choices.

• Talk with your landlord early and honestly. Ask if you can set up a payment plan. Get any deal in writing. Ohio Legal Help says this is the time to try to work out a payment agreement or a move out date. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/topic/eviction
• Call 211 about rent help. Programs open and close, so ask what's available in your county right now.
• If you have kids at home or you're pregnant, ask your county Job and Family Services office about PRC (Prevention, Retention and Contingency) emergency help. In Franklin County, for example, PRC can help with rent, a security deposit or utilities for families with a minor child, a pregnant person or a non custodial parent in the home, with income at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. Each county sets its own PRC rules, so ask yours. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.franklincountyohio.gov/Resident-Services/Support-Assistance/PRC-Emergency-Assistance
• Call a HUD approved housing counselor at 800.569.4287. HUD says these counselors can help with renting, avoiding eviction and budgeting, at no cost or low cost. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.hud.gov/states/ohio
• Read every notice carefully and keep it. Take a photo of it too.

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Get it in writing

Any payment plan or promise from your landlord, ask for it in a text, email or letter. It protects you and them!

How do security deposits work in Ohio?

Here's what to know.

• When you move out, the landlord may keep part of the deposit for past due rent or damage. Ask for a written, itemized list of anything kept.
• Give the landlord your new address in writing. In Ohio, this step really matters.
• Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.

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

What if my home needs repairs?

Landlords are expected to keep a home safe and livable, and to make repairs. Ohio Legal Help explains your options.

If the landlord won't fix a problem, Ohio has a process called rent escrow. Here's what to know:

• First, give the landlord a written notice listing the problems, sent to where you normally pay rent.
• If the landlord doesn't fix it, you may be able to pay your rent to the court clerk instead. There are steps and timing to follow. Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/topic/repairs

Never just stop paying rent. Rent escrow has steps that have to be followed, so talk with legal aid first.

How do I find a place I can afford?

• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). Vouchers help pay rent to a private landlord. They're run by local public housing agencies, and many have waiting lists. HUD keeps a contact list of local public housing agencies. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts
• Public housing. Also run by local housing agencies, like CMHA in Columbus, CMHA in Cleveland, CMHA in Cincinnati, AMHA in Akron, Greater Dayton Premier Management and Lucas Metropolitan Housing. Their numbers are in the county list later in this guide.
• Affordable apartments. OhioHousingLocator.org is a no cost statewide search for rentals, including affordable, accessible, senior and lead safe homes. Help line: 1.877.428.8844, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ohiohousinglocator.org/
• Get on more than one list. Waiting lists are long. Signing up for several gives you more chances.

I already lost my home. How do I get back in?

• Coordinated Entry. In Ohio communities, you talk with a trained worker once, and they work to match you with the housing programs that fit. Your county's number is in the list later in this guide, and in Guide 2.
• Rapid Rehousing. HUD describes it as permanent housing with short term rental help (up to 3 months) or medium term help (4 to 24 months), plus support services. HUD does not require a disability to qualify, but each program has its own rules. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessness-assistance/coc-esg-virtual-binders/coc-program-components/permanent-housing/rapid-re-housing/
• Need a bed tonight? See Guide 2, Emergency Shelter Tonight.

Getting back into a home is a process, not a single phone call. Keep going. Every call gets you a little closer.

From the Bunklow team

How do I get help with heating and utility bills?

Ohio has several energy programs, run through local Community Action and energy assistance providers. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://energyhelp.ohio.gov/

• HEAP. A once a year payment applied to your heating or cooling bill.
• PIPP Plus. A Percentage of Income Payment Plan that helps you manage energy bills all year.
• HEAP Winter Crisis Program. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel says it runs November 2, 2026 through March 31, 2027, for households that have been disconnected, have a shutoff notice, need to set up or transfer service, or have 25% or less of their bulk fuel. Renters can qualify too. Household income must be at or below 175% of the federal guidelines, for example $47,810 a year for a family of three. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/heap-winter-crisis-program-wcp
• Apply online at https://energyhelp.ohio.gov/ and schedule an appointment with your local provider. 211 can tell you which provider serves your area.

What if I'm treated unfairly?

Think you were treated differently because of your race, color, religion, sex, military status, family (like having kids), ancestry, disability or national origin? You can report it.

• You can file a charge with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. Call 1.888.278.7101, or 1.614.466.2785. TTY: 800.750.0750. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://crc.ohio.gov/
• You can also file with HUD online at https://www.hud.gov/contactus/file-complaint
• Think your landlord punished you for complaining about repairs or a code problem? Call legal aid right away.

Questions people ask a lot

Sources: https://occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/heap-winter-crisis-program-wcp and https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/topic/eviction

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I'm happy to help however I can

Housing stuff can be confusing. You don't have to figure it all out today. Make one call, write it down, and take the next step tomorrow. You've got this!

Who can I call in my county?

Here are housing helpers near you, including rent help, housing agencies and eviction help. If your county isn't listed, dial 211.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Ohio

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Franklin County (Columbus)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Cuyahoga County (Cleveland)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hamilton County (Cincinnati)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Summit County (Akron)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Montgomery County (Dayton)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lucas County (Toledo)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Other Ohio counties

Here are some places to start.

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

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something here is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Make it a great day, friend!

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 18, 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.

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Last updated October 18, 2026