Housing Assistance in Atlanta: How to Find Help With Rent, Utilities, and Housing

Finding safe, stable housing in Atlanta, Georgia can be challenging, especially with rising rents and limited affordable units. The good news is that Atlanta has a wide network of government programs, nonprofit agencies, and local resources designed to help residents stay housed or find new housing.

This guide walks you through the main types of housing assistance in Atlanta, who they typically serve, and how to get started.

Key Types of Housing Assistance in Atlanta

Most help in Atlanta falls into a few broad categories:

• Emergency shelter and crisis housing
• Rental assistance and eviction prevention
• Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
• Affordable housing developments
• Utility and energy bill assistance
• Homebuyer and homeowner assistance
• Supportive housing for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities

Knowing which type you need will help you connect to the right place faster.

Emergency Housing and Homelessness Assistance

If you are currently homeless or about to be immediately without a place to stay, focus on crisis resources first.

Gateway Center and Coordinated Entry

Many emergency housing services in Atlanta are connected through coordinated entry, which helps people access shelter and housing programs through shared intake points.

A key hub is:

Gateway Center

• Address: 275 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone: (404) 215-6600

Gateway Center works with men, women, and families and can help with:

• Emergency shelter or temporary housing referrals
• Case management and housing navigation
• Connections to employment and support services

📝 Tip: Call before going in person when possible, especially if you are with children or have health limitations. Capacity can change daily.

City of Atlanta and Fulton County Homeless Resources

The City of Atlanta and Fulton County coordinate with multiple shelters and outreach teams. Common supports include:

• Street outreach teams who connect people sleeping outside with services
• Family shelters for parents with children
• Domestic violence shelters (usually confidential locations)
• Transitional housing programs with time-limited stays and support services

You can often access these by:

• Calling local community hotlines
• Visiting a day center like Gateway Center
• Connecting through a hospital, school social worker, or community nonprofit

If safety is an immediate concern due to domestic violence, seek specialized help through domestic violence hotlines and shelters in the Atlanta area, which can arrange safe housing and transport.

Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention in Atlanta

If you are behind on rent, have received an eviction notice, or are struggling to pay next month’s rent, focus on rental and eviction-prevention programs.

Fulton County and DeKalb County Residents

Metro Atlanta spans several counties. Where you live matters:

• City of Atlanta lies mostly in Fulton County, with some portions in DeKalb County.
• Assistance is often limited to residents of the funding county or city.

Common types of help:

• One-time or short-term rental payments to help prevent eviction
• Security deposits or first month’s rent for people moving into new units
• Case management to stabilize income and housing

Many programs require:

• Proof of income or loss of income
• A lease in your name
• Past-due notices, eviction filings, or documentation from your landlord

United Way of Greater Atlanta – 2-1-1

A central way to find current rental assistance programs is:

United Way of Greater Atlanta – 2-1-1

• Phone: 2-1-1 (dial from within the Atlanta area)
• Alternate phone: (404) 614-1000

What they can do:

• Screen you for rent, utility, and housing programs near your address
• Provide phone numbers and application steps for local nonprofits, churches, and agencies
• Offer information for food, transportation, and other support that can ease financial strain

Local Nonprofit and Faith-Based Assistance

Many Atlanta nonprofits and faith-based organizations provide limited emergency rent help, often on a first-come, first-served basis. These programs tend to:

• Serve specific ZIP codes or neighborhoods
• Offer small, one-time payments paid directly to landlords or utility providers
• Require documentation and an in-person or phone intake

Since these programs change frequently, 2-1-1 is often the most up-to-date way to find them.

Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

For longer-term, deeply affordable housing, Atlanta residents often turn to public housing authorities and voucher programs.

Atlanta Housing (City of Atlanta)

Atlanta Housing (AH) is the public housing authority serving the City of Atlanta.

Atlanta Housing

• Main office: 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Main phone: (404) 892-4700

Programs may include:

• Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), often known as Section 8: Helps pay part of your rent in private-market housing.
• Project-based assistance: Subsidized apartments where rent is income-based.
• Affordable communities: Mixed-income developments with below-market rents.

Important points:

• Waitlists for vouchers and units open and close periodically.
• Openings are often announced on the Atlanta Housing website or by recorded phone messages.
• Applications usually require income details, household size, and identification documents.

If you already have a voucher or are on a waitlist, stay in touch with Atlanta Housing and update them if your address, family size, or income changes.

Other Housing Authorities in Metro Atlanta

Because Atlanta is part of a larger metro area, some residents may fall under other housing authorities, such as:

• Fulton County Housing Authority (for unincorporated Fulton areas or other cities)
• DeKalb County Housing Authority (for DeKalb County cities and unincorporated areas)

If you are unsure which agency covers your address, you can:

• Ask your city hall or county government office
• Call United Way 2-1-1 for guidance

Affordable Housing Apartments in Atlanta

Even without a voucher, you may qualify for income-restricted or affordable apartments.

These properties:

• Are often funded through programs like Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
• Set maximum income limits based on your household size
• Offer rents lower than typical market prices in Atlanta neighborhoods

To find opportunities:

• Search specifically for “affordable housing” or “income-restricted apartments” in neighborhoods you can access
• Call leasing offices and ask:
  • Whether units are income-restricted
  • What the current income limits are
  • If there is a waitlist and how long it is

Be prepared with:

• Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters)
• Identification for all adults in the household
• Social Security numbers or alternative documentation, if applicable

Utility and Energy Bill Assistance

Keeping the lights and heat on is a key part of maintaining stable housing in Atlanta.

Georgia’s LIHEAP Program (Energy Assistance)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income residents with heating and cooling bills, usually during specific seasons.

In the Atlanta area, LIHEAP is often administered through community action agencies that:

• Take applications during certain times of year
• Prioritize seniors, people with disabilities, and very low-income households
• Provide one-time payments directly to your utility provider

You can usually apply through local community action agencies serving Fulton and DeKalb counties. To find the right office:

• Call United Way 2-1-1
• Contact your county government for the LIHEAP intake site nearest you

Utility-Specific Assistance

Some utility providers serving Atlanta, such as electric or gas companies, may offer:

• Payment plans
• Budget billing to spread costs more evenly across months
• Assistance funds or referrals to partner nonprofits

If you receive a disconnection notice, call your provider immediately and ask about hardship programs, payment arrangements, or referrals for bill-pay assistance.

Homebuyer and Homeowner Assistance in Atlanta

If you are trying to buy or keep a home in Atlanta, there are different types of help.

Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

The City of Atlanta and partner organizations sometimes offer:

• Down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers
• Closing cost support
• Requirements often include:
  • Buying within city limits
  • Completing a homebuyer education course
  • Meeting specific income and purchase-price limits

You can:

• Contact Atlanta Housing or the City of Atlanta’s housing or community development offices
• Ask local HUD-approved housing counseling agencies about current programs

Foreclosure Prevention and Mortgage Counseling

If you already own a home in Atlanta and are struggling with your mortgage:

HUD-approved housing counseling agencies can provide:

• Budget and mortgage counseling
• Help communicating with your lender
• Options such as loan modifications or repayment plans

To find a local counselor, ask:

• City of Atlanta housing offices
• Atlanta-area nonprofits specializing in housing counseling

Special Housing Programs for Seniors, Veterans, and People With Disabilities

Certain Atlanta residents may qualify for specialized housing supports.

Seniors

Older adults in Atlanta may access:

• Senior high-rise apartments with income-based rent
• Property tax relief or homestead exemptions (through Fulton or DeKalb County tax offices)
• In-home support that helps seniors stay safely housed

Contact:

• Fulton County Senior Services or DeKalb County Senior Services
• Atlanta Housing for senior-specific communities

Veterans

Veterans living in Atlanta can explore:

• HUD-VASH vouchers (housing vouchers combined with VA case management)
• Emergency and transitional housing programs tailored to veterans
• Supportive services for very low-income veteran families at risk of homelessness

Start with:

• The Atlanta VA Medical Center or VA clinics
• Veterans service organizations in the city

People With Disabilities

Residents with disabilities may qualify for:

• Supportive housing programs with on-site or visiting support staff
• Rental assistance linked specifically to disability status or income level
• Case management through health and social service providers

Ask:

• Your case manager, if you have one
• Local disability service agencies or behavioral health providers
• Atlanta Housing about disability-related preferences where allowed

Quick Reference: Major Atlanta Housing Assistance Contacts

How to Prepare Before You Apply for Housing Help

No matter which Atlanta program you contact, it helps to have documents ready. Commonly requested items include:

• Photo ID for adults in the household
• Social Security cards or numbers, if available
• Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit award letters, child support, etc.)
• Lease agreement or landlord contact information
• Past-due notices, eviction filings, or utility shutoff notices
• Proof of residency in Atlanta, Fulton County, or DeKalb County, depending on the program

📌 Practical tip:
Keep digital copies (photos or scans) of documents on your phone or in email. Many Atlanta programs now accept online or email applications, and this can speed things up.

If You’re New to Atlanta or Considering a Move

If you are moving to Atlanta or recently arrived:

• Research average rents in the neighborhoods you’re considering; some are much higher than others.
• Look for income-restricted or tax-credit properties if your income is limited.
• If you already rely on a Section 8 voucher from another city, ask your current housing authority about portability to Atlanta Housing or another local authority before moving.

You can also connect with:

• Local housing counseling agencies for advice about neighborhoods, budgeting, and avoiding scams
• Community organizations serving your cultural, language, or interest group, which sometimes have additional resources or informal support networks

By understanding how housing assistance in Atlanta is organized and where to start, you can move more confidently through a difficult situation. Focus first on your most urgent need—shelter, rent, utilities, or long-term affordability—and contact the relevant Atlanta agencies and nonprofits as early as possible, before a crisis escalates.