Rental Assistance in Atlanta: How to Get Help Paying Your Rent

Finding rental assistance in Atlanta can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re facing a sudden loss of income, unexpected bills, or a pending eviction. Atlanta has a mix of city, county, state, and nonprofit programs that may help with rent, utilities, and sometimes related housing costs—if you know where to look and how to apply.

This guide focuses specifically on Atlanta, Georgia and walks you through key options, how they work, and what to do right now if you’re worried about paying rent.

Key Types of Rental Help Available in Atlanta

Most rental assistance in Atlanta falls into a few main categories:

• Emergency and crisis rent help (to prevent eviction or homelessness)
• Ongoing or short-term subsidies for low-income renters
• Utility assistance (often required by landlords to keep a lease in good standing)
• Legal help to deal with evictions and landlord disputes
• Housing navigation and case management if you’re already unhoused or about to be

Many programs are income-based, focus on preventing eviction, and may prioritize people with children, seniors, people with disabilities, or those already in the eviction process.

Start Here: If You’re at Immediate Risk of Eviction

If you’re in Atlanta and think you may be evicted soon:

1. Do not ignore court papers or notices from your landlord.
2. Contact a rental assistance provider immediately (some listed below).
3. Seek legal help if an eviction case has been filed.
4. Gather documents: your lease, ID, proof of income, payment history, and any notices.

Two fast “first calls” many Atlanta residents use:

• United Way of Greater Atlanta – 211

  • Call 2-1-1 (or 404-614-1000 in some areas)
  • Ask specifically about rental assistance in Atlanta
  • They can refer you to programs based on your ZIP code, income, and situation

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett)

  • General intake (Atlanta area): 404-524-5811
  • Can help if you’re facing an eviction, housing discrimination, or unsafe conditions
  • Services typically focus on low-income residents

Major Public & Nonprofit Rental Assistance Resources in Atlanta

1. City of Atlanta & Local Government Housing Programs

If you live within Atlanta city limits, you may qualify for help specifically targeted to city residents.

City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development

The City works with partners to offer:

• Short-term rental assistance (when funding is available)
• Homelessness prevention programs
• Rapid rehousing for people already unhoused

You’ll usually be referred to partner nonprofits to actually apply. When you contact city offices, have:

• Your address (to confirm you’re in city limits)
• Proof of income
• Copy of your lease and any eviction notices

Key office (administrative, not a walk-in emergency center):

• Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development
  • 55 Trinity Avenue SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main City of Atlanta line: 404-330-6000 (ask to be directed to housing or rental assistance information)

Fulton County & DeKalb County

Many Atlanta neighborhoods fall in Fulton County or DeKalb County. Both counties fund housing stability programs, often distributed through partner agencies.

• Fulton County Department of Community Development

  • 137 Peachtree Street SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404-613-7944 (ask about rental or homeless prevention programs)

• DeKalb County Community Development Department

  • 1300 Commerce Drive
  • Decatur, GA 30030
  • Main line: 404-371-2000 (ask for housing or rental assistance information)

These offices can point you toward current, active programs that may not be widely advertised.

2. State-Level Help: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) oversees many housing programs that affect Atlanta, including:

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) in some areas
• Permanent supportive housing and special initiatives for certain groups
• Partnerships with local housing authorities and nonprofits

While many big emergency programs from the pandemic have ended, DCA remains a key agency for:

• Long-term rental subsidies (when waiting lists are open)
• Information about affordable housing and income-based apartments

Core contact:

• Georgia Department of Community Affairs
  • 60 Executive Park South NE
  • Atlanta, GA 30329
  • Main phone: 404-679-4940

Housing vouchers and waiting lists come and go. It’s common for lists to be closed for long periods; if you hear they’re open, apply quickly.

3. Local Housing Authorities in Metro Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta, there are several housing authorities that may provide:

• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
• Public housing and mixed-income communities
• Specialized programs for seniors and people with disabilities

Key agencies in and around Atlanta:

Important notes:

• Waiting lists for vouchers and units are often closed; they open for short windows.
• Check phone recordings or posted notices to see if lists are open.
• Make sure your contact information stays current if you’re on a waiting list; missed mail or calls can cause you to lose your spot.

4. Nonprofit & Faith-Based Rental Assistance in Atlanta

Many nonprofits, churches, and community organizations in Atlanta provide small, one-time grants to cover part of your rent, late fees, or utilities. Funding is often limited and first-come, first-served.

Some commonly used resources include:

Salvation Army Metro Atlanta

The Salvation Army operates housing and emergency assistance programs, including:

• Emergency rental assistance (when funding is available)
• Utility assistance
• Shelters and transitional housing for individuals and families

A central contact for the Atlanta area:

• Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command
  • 1000 Center Place
  • Norcross, GA 30093
  • Phone: 770-441-6200 (ask about rental assistance and locations near your ZIP code)

Individual Salvation Army service centers in and around Atlanta may have their own direct numbers and appointment rules.

Saint Vincent de Paul Georgia (SVdP)

SVdP works through local parishes and community volunteers:

• Often helps with partial rent payments, utilities, and basic needs
• Assistance varies by parish and funding
• Many participants are referred from 211 or other agencies

Key administration office:

• St. Vincent de Paul Georgia
  • 2050 Chamblee Tucker Rd
  • Chamblee, GA 30341
  • Main line: 678-892-6163 (they often direct you to local conferences in your neighborhood)

Community Ministries & Churches

In Atlanta, many churches and community ministries offer limited rental aid, especially in neighborhoods where rents are rising quickly.

Common patterns:

• They may only assist people living within certain ZIP codes or parish boundaries.
• Most require an appointment and some basic documentation.
• Assistance is often one-time per year and may cover only part of the amount owed.

You can locate these through:

• 211 United Way
• Asking local community centers or neighborhood associations
• Calling large churches in your area and asking if they provide emergency assistance

5. Utility Assistance That Can Protect Your Housing

Keeping utilities on is often part of your lease obligations and can be critical to avoiding eviction, especially in rentals where nonpayment of utilities violates your lease.

Key help sources in Atlanta:

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

LIHEAP provides assistance with heating and cooling bills for eligible low-income households.

In the Atlanta area, LIHEAP is administered by community action agencies, including:

• Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority (FACAA)

  • 1690 Chantilly Dr NE
  • Atlanta, GA 30324
  • Phone: 404-320-0166

• DeKalb Community Service Board / Partner Agencies may also coordinate or refer for LIHEAP in DeKalb County.

Appointments for LIHEAP in Atlanta often fill quickly during peak seasons, so calling early in the eligibility period is important.

Local Utility Company Programs

Georgia Power, Atlanta Gas Light (via marketers), and the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management may have:

• Payment plans or extensions
• Senior or disability discounts
• Emergency funds in partnership with charities

Call the customer service line on your utility bill and ask about:

• “Energy assistance programs”
• “Payment arrangements”
• “Third-party assistance partners” in Atlanta

Legal Help for Evictions and Landlord Disputes in Atlanta

Even with rental assistance, you may need legal support, especially if:

• You’ve received an eviction notice or court summons
• Your landlord is locking you out or shutting off utilities
• Your rental is unsafe and the landlord refuses to make repairs

Key Atlanta-area legal resources:

Atlanta Legal Aid Society

Provides civil legal help, including housing and eviction defense, mainly for low-income residents in:

• Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties

Contact:

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society – Central Office
  • 54 Ellis St NE
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main intake: 404-524-5811

You may need to leave a message or apply during specific intake hours. They may also refer you to:

• Tenant rights clinics
• Self-help forms and guides
• Pro bono (volunteer) attorneys

Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP)

Focuses more on rural counties but may provide information and referrals if you’re in metro Atlanta and fall just outside Atlanta Legal Aid’s service area.

• Statewide intake line: 1-833-457-7529

Who Typically Qualifies for Rental Assistance in Atlanta?

Eligibility requirements vary by program, but many Atlanta-area rental assistance options look at:

• Income
  • Often must be low or moderate income, sometimes below a percentage of the area median income.
• Proof of housing crisis
  • Past-due rent or utility bills
  • Eviction notice or court filing
  • Recent job loss, medical emergency, or other serious hardship
• Residency
  • Address within the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, or another covered area
• Documentation
  • Photo ID (Georgia driver’s license, state ID, or other valid ID)
  • Social Security number (for some programs)
  • Lease or written rental agreement
  • Proof of income (pay stubs, award letters, unemployment, etc.)
  • Proof of hardship (termination letter, medical bill, etc., if applicable)

Programs may prioritize:

• Families with children
• Seniors and people with disabilities
• People who are already in the eviction process
• Survivors of domestic violence or other special circumstances

How to Apply for Rental Assistance in Atlanta: Step-by-Step

To make the process more manageable, follow these practical steps:

1. Get Organized

Prepare the basics before you call or visit:

• 🧾 Lease and any amendments
• 📬 Latest rent statement or text/email showing what you owe
• 📇 ID for you (and sometimes each adult in the household)
• 💰 Proof of income for the last 30–60 days (pay stubs, benefits letters, etc.)
• 🚨 Any eviction notices, court papers, or late notices
• 📄 Proof of hardship if you have it (job loss, medical bills, etc.)

2. Call 211 for a Customized List

Tell the 211 operator:

• You are in Atlanta, Georgia
• You need help with rent (and utilities, if applicable)
• If you already have an eviction notice
• Your household size and income level (even approximate)

Ask them to:

• Text or email you the list if possible
• Note any agencies that only accept calls at certain times or require online applications

3. Contact Multiple Agencies

Because funding is limited:

• Call several places from your 211 list and the agencies above.
• Ask exactly what they cover (rent only, rent + utilities, fees, etc.).
• Ask if they pay your landlord directly (most do).

Be ready for:

• Phone lines that are busy
• Voicemail callbacks
• Appointments scheduled days or weeks out

Persistence matters; many Atlanta residents find help only after contacting multiple organizations.

4. Stay in Communication with Your Landlord

While you’re seeking assistance:

• Explain your situation honestly
• Tell them you are actively applying for rental assistance
• Ask if they will:
  • Accept a partial payment
  • Waive late fees if funds come from a nonprofit
  • Delay filing an eviction for a set period

Some landlords in Atlanta are familiar with local assistance programs and may be willing to cooperate if they know help is likely.

5. If You Receive Court Papers

If an eviction has already been filed in Fulton or DeKalb County court:

• Do not skip your court date.
• Contact Atlanta Legal Aid or another legal resource immediately.
• Bring documentation of your rental assistance applications to court if you have them.

Sometimes, having proof that assistance is in progress can help buy more time or support a payment plan agreement.

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Help

• Apply early. Don’t wait until the day before your court date or lockout.
• Be honest and consistent with all agencies about your income and situation.
• Answer calls and check voicemail frequently—missed calls can delay or end your application.
• Keep copies (paper or photos on your phone) of all documents you submit.
• Ask directly if they know of other programs if they personally can’t help you.

If You Are Already Unhoused or Staying in a Shelter

If you’re in Atlanta and currently:

• Sleeping in a shelter, car, or outside
• Staying temporarily with friends or relatives but cannot stay long

You may be eligible for rapid rehousing or transitional housing services, which can include:

• Short-term rental assistance
• Help securing a lease
• Case management and support services

Key entry points in Atlanta include:

• Gateway Center

  • 275 Pryor St SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404-215-6600
  • Works as a central hub connecting adults experiencing homelessness to services

• Atlanta Continuum of Care (Atlanta CoC) – Coordinated Entry

  • Often accessed through major shelters and outreach teams
  • Can prioritize the most vulnerable individuals and families for housing resources

Many of these programs are not “walk-in emergency cash” but are designed to move you into stable housing over time.

Quick Reference: Who to Contact for Rental Assistance in Atlanta

Emergency referrals & general info

• United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1 (ask for rental assistance options in Atlanta)

City & Counties

• City of Atlanta Housing/Community Development: 404-330-6000
• Fulton County Community Development: 404-613-7944
• DeKalb County Community Development: 404-371-2000

Housing Authorities

• Atlanta Housing: 404-892-4700
• Fulton County Housing Authority: 404-588-4950
• DeKalb Housing Authority: 404-270-2500

Nonprofits & Faith-Based Help

• Salvation Army Metro Atlanta: 770-441-6200
• St. Vincent de Paul Georgia: 678-892-6163

Legal Help (Evictions & Tenant Rights)

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society: 404-524-5811

Utility Help (example)

• Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority (LIHEAP, etc.): 404-320-0166

Understanding and navigating rental assistance in Atlanta can be challenging, but there are real, local resources that may help stabilize your housing. Start by gathering your documents, calling 211, and reaching out to several agencies as quickly as possible.