Rent & mortgage help in California

Behind on rent, facing eviction, or worried about your mortgage? Start with the section that fits you. Everything here is free.

Links last checked October 26, 2026. Programs open and close, so confirm before you apply.

Call 211Or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Free, 24/7 in most areas: local rent, utility and food help.

HUD counseling line: (800) 569-4287Connects you to a HUD-approved housing counselor, free or low-cost.

Act fast

Got an eviction notice?

Don't ignore it, and don't move out yet. Read every date on the notice. In most cases a landlord has to go through the court to make you leave, and you have the right to respond.
Go to your court date. If you miss it, you can lose automatically.
Get free legal help today. Legal aid offices help low-income tenants for free, and having a lawyer can change the outcome. Use the legal aid finders below.
Apply for rent help at the same time. Some programs can pay back rent so the case gets dropped. Tell them you have an eviction case, since some programs put those first.
Keep records. Save every notice, receipt, text and email with your landlord.

Find free legal aid →Legal Services Corporation's map of legal aid offices. California tenant rights →Pick California on LawHelp.org for guides and local legal help. HUD eviction help for California →HUD's page of California eviction prevention resources.

Eviction help HUD lists for California

Get caught up

Behind on rent

Call 211 (or text your ZIP code to 898-211). Tell them how much you owe and by when. They know which local programs have money right now.
Contact your community action agency. These local nonprofits often hand out emergency rent and utility money. Find yours by ZIP →
Talk to your landlord early, before the rent is late if you can. Ask for a payment plan in writing. Use our script →
Free up money from other bills. Utility help and SNAP food benefits can leave more for rent. National Energy Assistance Referral line: (866) 674-6327.

Programs HUD lists for California

See HUD's list of California rental help programs →

From HUD's Rental Help: California page. Watch out for anyone who charges a fee to "help" you apply for rent assistance. Real programs are free.

Longer term

Need cheaper housing

Housing authorities run two big programs. Section 8 (Housing Choice Vouchers) helps pay rent for a home you find. Public housing is apartments they own. Rent is usually about 30% of your income.

Waitlists are often long or closed. Apply to more than one housing authority. Many let you apply even if you don't live in their area.
Keep your contact info updated with every list you're on. If they can't reach you when your name comes up, you can lose your spot.
Ask each office about other programs. Some have shorter waits for seniors, people with disabilities, or veterans.

All 96 housing authorities in California

City of Alameda Housing Authority Alameda · Section 8 + public housing
(510) 747-4300 · Email
Los Angeles County Development Authority Alhambra · Section 8 + public housing
(626) 586-1500 · Email
City of Anaheim Housing Authority Anaheim · Section 8
(714) 765-4320 · Email
Placer County Housing Authority Auburn · Section 8
(530) 889-7676 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of Kern Bakersfield · Section 8 + public housing
(661) 631-8500 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Baldwin Park Baldwin Park · Section 8 + public housing
(626) 960-4011 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo Belmont · Section 8 + public housing
(650) 802-3300 · Email
City of Benicia Hsg Auth Benicia · Section 8 + public housing
(707) 745-2071 · Email
Berkeley Housing Authority Berkeley · Section 8
(510) 488-5470 · Email
Imperial Valley Housing Authority Brawley · Section 8 + public housing
(760) 351-7000 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Burbank Burbank · Section 8
(818) 238-5160 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Calexico Calexico · Section 8 + public housing
(760) 357-3013 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz Capitola · Section 8 + public housing
(831) 454-9455 · Email
Carlsbad Housing & Homeless Services Carlsbad · Section 8
(442) 339-2810 · Email
County of Butte Hsg Auth Chico · Section 8 + public housing
(530) 895-4474 · Email
City of Compton Housing Authority Compton · Section 8
(310) 605-3080 · Email
Crescent City Hsg Auth Crescent City · Section 8
(707) 464-9216
Culver City Housing Authority Culver City · Section 8
(310) 253-5780
Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas Encinitas · Section 8
(760) 633-2723 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Eureka Eureka · Public housing
(707) 443-4583 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt Eureka · Section 8
(707) 443-4583 · Email
City of Fairfield Fairfield · Section 8
(707) 428-7391 · Email
County of Solano Hsg Auth Fairfield · Section 8
(707) 449-5675 · Email
Housing Authority City of Fresno Fresno · Section 8 + public housing
(559) 443-8400 · Email
Housing Authority of Fresno County Fresno · Section 8 + public housing
(559) 443-8400 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Garden Grove Garden Grove · Section 8
(714) 741-5150 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Glendale Glendale · Section 8
(818) 548-3936 · Email
Kings County Housing Auth Hanford · Section 8 + public housing
(559) 582-2806 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Hawaiian Gardens Hawaiian Gardens · Section 8
(562) 420-2641 · Email
Hawthorne Housing Hawthorne · Section 8
(310) 349-1600 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of Alameda Hayward · Section 8 + public housing
(510) 538-8876 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Inglewood Inglewood · Section 8
(310) 412-5221 · Email
Hsg Auth of the City of Livermore Livermore · Section 8 + public housing
(925) 447-3600
Housing Authority of the City of Lomita Lomita · Public housing
(310) 325-7110 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara Lompoc · Section 8 + public housing
(805) 736-3423 · Email
City of Long Beach Housing Authority Long Beach · Section 8
(562) 570-6985 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles Los Angeles · Section 8 + public housing
(833) 422-5248 · Email
Lake County Housing Commission Lower Lake · Section 8
(707) 995-3744 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Madera Madera · Section 8 + public housing
(559) 674-5695 · Email
Housing Authority of the County Contra Costa Martinez · Section 8 + public housing
(925) 957-8001 · Email
County of Merced Housing Authority Merced · Section 8 + public housing
(209) 386-4139 · Email
Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority Modesto · Section 8 + public housing
(209) 557-2002 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Napa Napa · Section 8
(707) 257-9543 · Email
CDC of National City National City · Section 8
(619) 336-4259 · Email
Needles Housing Authority Needles · Section 8 + public housing
(760) 326-3222 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Newbury Park · Section 8 + public housing
(805) 480-9991 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk Norwalk · Section 8
(562) 929-5588 · Email
Oakland Housing Authority Oakland · Section 8 + public housing
(510) 874-1500 · Email
City of Oceanside Community Development Comm Oceanside · Section 8
(760) 435-3360 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Oxnard Oxnard · Section 8 + public housing
(805) 385-8094 · Email
City of Pasadena Housing Department Pasadena · Section 8
(626) 744-6701 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Paso Robles Paso Robles · Public housing
(805) 238-4015 · Email
Pico Rivera Housing Assistance Agency Pico Rivera · Section 8
(562) 801-4347 · Email
City of Pittsburg Hsg Auth Pittsburg · Section 8
(925) 252-4144 · Email
County of El Dorado Housing Authority Placerville · Section 8
(530) 621-6300 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Pleasanton Pleasanton · Public housing
(925) 931-5002 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Pomona Pomona · Section 8
(909) 620-2368 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Port Hueneme Port Hueneme · Section 8 + public housing
(805) 986-6522 · Email
County of Plumas Housing Authority Quincy · Section 8 + public housing
(530) 283-2466
County of Shasta Hsg Auth Redding · Section 8
(530) 225-5160 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Redding Redding · Section 8
(530) 225-4048 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Redondo Beach Redondo Beach · Section 8
(310) 697-3405 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Richmond Richmond · Public housing
(510) 620-6784 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Riverbank Riverbank · Public housing
(209) 869-4501 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of Riverside Riverside · Section 8
(951) 351-0700 · Email
City of Roseville Roseville · Section 8
(916) 774-5270 · Email
City of Sacramento Housing Authority Sacramento · Section 8 + public housing
(916) 440-1319 · Email
County of Sacramento Housing Authority Sacramento · Section 8 + public housing
(916) 440-1319 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of Monterey Salinas · Section 8 + public housing
(831) 775-5000 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino San Bernardino · Section 8 + public housing
(909) 890-0644 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of San Diego San Diego · Section 8 + public housing
(858) 694-4801 · Email
San Diego Housing Commission San Diego · Section 8 + public housing
(619) 231-9400 · Email
Housing Authority of the City & County of SF San Francisco · Section 8 + public housing
(415) 715-3276 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of San Jose San Jose · Section 8
(408) 275-8770 · Email
Santa Clara County Housing Authority San Jose · Section 8 + public housing
(408) 275-8770 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo · Section 8 + public housing
(805) 543-4478 · Email
Housing Authority of County of Marin San Rafael · Section 8 + public housing
(415) 491-2525 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Ana Santa Ana · Section 8
(714) 667-2200 · Email
Orange County Housing Authority Santa Ana · Section 8
(714) 480-2700 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Santa Barbara · Section 8
(805) 965-1071 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica Santa Monica · Section 8
(310) 458-2201 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Paula Santa Paula · Section 8
(805) 525-3339
City of Santa Rosa Santa Rosa · Section 8
(707) 543-3300 · Email
County of Sonoma Santa Rosa · Section 8
(707) 565-7500 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of South Gate South Gate · Section 8
(323) 563-9535 · Email
City of South San Francisco Housing Authority South San Francisco · Public housing
(650) 583-7631 · Email
Housing Auth. of the County of San Joaquin Stockton · Section 8 + public housing
(209) 460-5094 · Email
Suisun City Housing Authority Suisun City · Section 8
(707) 421-7332 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Torrance Torrance · Section 8
(310) 618-5840 · Email
Mendocino County Ukiah · Section 8 + public housing
(707) 463-5462 · Email
City of Vacaville Vacaville · Section 8
(707) 449-5675 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of Vallejo Vallejo · Section 8
(707) 648-4408 · Email
Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura Ventura · Section 8 + public housing
(805) 648-5008 · Email
Tulare County Housing Authority Visalia · Section 8 + public housing
(559) 627-3700 · Email
Housing Authority of the County of Yolo Woodland · Section 8 + public housing
(530) 662-5428 · Email
Regional Housing Authority Yuba City · Section 8 + public housing
(530) 671-0220

Homeowners

Behind on your mortgage

Call your mortgage servicer now, the company you send payments to, even if foreclosure has already started. Ask what options they have, such as a repayment plan, forbearance (a pause), or a loan modification.
Talk to a free HUD-approved housing counselor. They can review your options and help you deal with the servicer. Call (800) 569-4287 or pick one below.
Ask about state help. Your state's housing finance agency may run programs for homeowners. Check HUD's California links above, and ask your counselor what's open now.

81 HUD-approved housing counselors in California

Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles Bellflower · English, Spanish
(310) 323-4663 · Email · Website
Korean Community Services Buena Park · English, Korean
(714) 449-1125
USA Homeownership Foundation Dba Veterans Association of Real Estate Professional Corona · English
(888) 273-7267 · Email · Website
Vital Access Care Foundation Fountain Valley · English, Spanish, Vietnamese
(888) 497-1511 · Email · Website
Community Housing Council of Fresno Fresno · English, Spanish
(559) 221-6919
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries Fresno · English
(559) 487-1500 · Website
Southwest Fresno Development Corp Fresno · English
(559) 209-8031
Korean Resource Center Fullerton · English, Korean
(714) 869-7624 · Email · Website
Nsc (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Los Angeles, CA Hawthorne · English, Spanish
(310) 412-2600 · Email · Website
A-1 Community Housing Services Hayward · English, Spanish
(510) 674-9227 · Email · Website
Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (echo) Hayward · English, Spanish
(510) 581-9380 · Email · Website
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition Indio · English, Spanish
(760) 347-3157 · Website
Greenpath Financial Wellness Irvine · English, Spanish
(866) 217-0543 · Email · Website
Affordable Housing Clearinghouse Lake Forest · English, Spanish
(949) 859-9255 · Email · Website
Fair Housing Foundation Long Beach · Arabic, Sign language, Khmer, Can, Chinese, Cre, Cze, English, Farsi, French,…
(562) 989-1206 · Email · Website
East la Community Corporation (elacc) Los Angeles · English, Spanish
(323) 850-8050 · Email · Website
Faith and Community Empowerment Formerly Korean Churches for Community Development Los Angeles · English
(213) 985-1500
Haven Services INC Los Angeles · English, Spanish
(213) 375-4663 · Email · Website
Korean Resource Center Los Angeles · English
(213) 332-8807
Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services, INC Los Angeles · English, Korean, Spanish
(213) 381-2862 · Email · Website
Money Management International, Los Angeles Los Angeles · English, Spanish
(866) 232-9080 · Email · Website
New Economics for Women Los Angeles · English, Spanish
(213) 483-2060 · Email · Website
Nid-Hca Reeves Los Angeles · English, Spanish
(323) 299-4067 · Email · Website
Shalom Center for T.r.e.e. of Life Los Angeles · English, Korean
(213) 380-3700 · Email · Website
The American Dream Grant Program Los Angeles · English, Spanish
(310) 692-1380 · Email · Website
West Angeles Community Development Corp. Los Angeles · English
(323) 751-3440
Habitat for Humanity, Stanislaus County Modesto · English
(209) 575-4585
Montebello Housing Development Corp. Montebello · English, Spanish
(323) 722-3955 · Email · Website
Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, INC.- Moreno Valley Moreno Valley · English, Spanish
(951) 653-8314 · Email · Website
Nid-Hca Riverside / San Bernardino County Moreno Valley · English
(951) 399-4538 · Email · Website
Credit.org - National City National City · English, Oth, Spanish
(800) 431-8157 · Email · Website
Habitat for Humanity East Bay/silicon Valley Oakland · English, Spanish
(510) 803-3362 · Email · Website
Money Management International - Oakland Oakland · English, Spanish
(866) 232-9080 · Email · Website
Nid-Hca Oakland Main Branch Oakland · English, Spanish
(510) 268-9792 · Email · Website
Nid-Housing Counseling Agency (nid-Hca) Oakland · Cre, English, Spanish
(510) 268-9792 · Email · Website
Nsc (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Oakland, CA Oakland · English, Spanish
(510) 652-6622 · Website
Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board Ontario · English, Spanish
(800) 321-0911 · Email · Website
NHS OF ORANGE COUNTY dba NEIGHBORWORKS ORANGE COUNTY Orange · English, Spanish, Vietnamese
(714) 409-3444 · Email · Website
My Way Home Oxnard · English, Spanish
(805) 273-7800 · Email · Website
Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, INC.- Palm Springs Palm Springs · English, Spanish
(760) 864-1541 · Email · Website
Nid-Hca Palmdale Palmdale · English, Spanish
(661) 526-4013 · Email · Website
Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services, INC. Rancho Cucamonga · English, Spanish
(909) 988-5979 · Email · Website
Community Housing Development Corporation of North Richmond Richmond · English, Spanish
(510) 412-9290 · Email · Website
Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, INC Richmond · English
(510) 237-6459 · Email · Website
Carolyn E. Wylie Center for Children, Youth and Families Riverside · English, Spanish
(951) 683-5193 · Email
Credit.org Riverside · English, Oth, Spanish
(800) 431-8157 · Email · Website
Credit.org - Riverside Riverside · English, Spanish
(800) 431-8157 · Email · Website
Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, INC Riverside · English, Spanish
(951) 682-6581 · Email · Website
Greater Sacramento Urban League-Oak Park Sacramento · English, Spanish
(916) 286-8652 · Email · Website
Nsc (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Sacramento, CA Sacramento · English, Spanish
(425) 892-6222 · Email · Website
Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services INC Aka Formally Known As Neighborworks Homeownership Center… Sacramento · English, Oth, Spanish
(916) 452-5356 · Email · Website
The Greater Sacramento Urban League Sacramento · English, Spanish
(916) 286-8652 · Website
Inland Empire Resource Center San Bernardino · English, Spanish
(909) 887-8700 · Email · Website
Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire, INC. San Bernardino · English, Spanish
(909) 884-6891 · Email · Website
Money Management International - San Diego San Diego · English, Spanish
(866) 232-9080 · Email · Website
Navicore Solutions- San Diego, CA San Diego · English, Spanish
(866) 472-4557 · Email · Website
Urban League of San Diego County San Diego · English, Oth, Spanish
(619) 266-6237 · Email · Website
Asian Incorporated San Francisco · Can, Chinese, English, Vietnamese
(415) 928-5910 · Email · Website
Balance - San Francisco San Francisco · English
(800) 777-7526 · Email · Website
Balance-Sf 3RD Street San Francisco · Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish
(888) 456-2227 · Email · Website
Mission Economic Development Association (meda) San Francisco · English, Spanish
(415) 282-3334 · Website
San Francisco Housing Development Corporation San Francisco · English
(415) 822-1022 · Website
San Francisco Lgbt Community Center San Francisco · Chinese, English, Spanish
(415) 865-5555 · Email · Website
Habitat for Humanity East Bay/silicon Valley - Milpitas San Jose · English, Spanish
(510) 803-3362 · Email · Website
Santa Clara County Asian Law Alliance San Jose · Can, Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese
(408) 287-9710 · Website
Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California San Rafael · English, Spanish
(415) 457-5025 · Website
Epicenter Foundation Santa Ana · English
(714) 410-2414 · Email · Website
Homeownership Oc Santa Ana · Arabic, English, Vietnamese
(714) 204-2314 · Email · Website
Orange County Community Housing Corporation Santa Ana · English, Spanish
(714) 558-8161 · Email
Orange County Fair Housing Council, INC Santa Ana · English, Spanish
(714) 569-0823 · Email · Website
Project Sentinel Santa Clara · English
(408) 470-3730
Balance - Santa Rosa Santa Rosa · English
(800) 777-7526 · Email · Website
Centro Familia Esperanza Simi Valley · English
(805) 813-8751 · Website
Operation Hope INC. - South Gate Branch South Gate · English, Spanish
(424) 373-0854 · Email · Website
Visionary Home Builders of California Stockton · English, Spanish
(209) 466-6811 · Website
Nsc (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Upland, CA Upland · English, Spanish
(402) 970-6222 · Email · Website
Nid-Hca Victorville Victorville · English
(760) 254-6181 · Email · Website
Community Services and Employment Training, INC. (cset) Visalia · English
(559) 732-4194 · Website
Self Help Enterprises Visalia · English
(559) 802-1664 · Email
Balance Walnut Creek · Can, Chinese, English, Oth, Russian, Spanish
(800) 777-7526 · Email · Website
Balance - Concord Walnut Creek · English
(800) 777-7526 · Email · Website

Foreclosure rescue scams target people in your spot. The FTC warns:

It's illegal for a company to charge you anything until you have a written offer from your lender that you accept.
Never sign your home's deed over to anyone. You likely won't get it back, and you still owe the mortgage.
Anyone who tells you to stop talking to your lender or counselor, or guarantees results, is a red flag.

Near you

Free help near you

HUD-approved housing counselors give free or low-cost help with rent, budgets and avoiding foreclosure. Housing authorities run Section 8 vouchers and public housing.

More official finders

Free legal aid →Legal Services Corporation's map of free legal aid offices. Enter your address. Your state's legal help site →LawHelp.org: tenant rights guides and legal aid by state. Community action agency →Local nonprofits that often have emergency rent and utility money. Search by ZIP. Housing counselor finder →The CFPB's search of HUD's official counselor list.

Other states

Help in another state

See all 50 states and DC →

Need help right now? Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 for local food, rent, and utility help, 24/7 in most areas. More free help →