How to Get Help With Your Security Deposit: Programs and Resources
You found an apartment you can afford, the landlord approved your application, and you are ready to move in. Then you learn the security deposit is $1,500 and you do not have it. This is one of the most common barriers to stable housing in America, and it keeps thousands of families stuck in shelters, overcrowded living situations, or unsafe housing every year.
The good news is that there are programs at the federal, state, and local level that can help cover security deposits. Here is how to find and access them.
Why Security Deposits Are Such a Barrier
The average security deposit in the United States is equal to one month’s rent, which means it can range from $800 in rural areas to well over $2,000 in major cities. When you add first month’s rent and potentially last month’s rent to that figure, the upfront cost of moving into a new apartment can easily reach $3,000 to $5,000 or more.
For a family living paycheck to paycheck, this is simply not possible to come up with all at once, even if the monthly rent itself is affordable. This creates a catch-22 where people who can afford to live somewhere cannot afford to move there.
Government Assistance Programs
Emergency Housing Vouchers and rapid rehousing programs administered by local Public Housing Agencies often include security deposit assistance as part of their benefits package. If you are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness, contact your local PHA to ask about available programs.
TANF Emergency Assistance is available in many states and can cover security deposits for families with children. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program is administered at the state level, so eligibility rules and benefit amounts vary. Contact your local Department of Social Services or TANF office to ask about emergency housing assistance.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) provides security deposit assistance to veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. If you are a veteran, contact your local VA medical center or call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838.
FEMA and disaster relief funds can cover security deposits if you have been displaced by a natural disaster. If a hurricane, flood, fire, or other disaster forced you from your home, register with FEMA at disasterassistance.gov to find out what housing assistance is available.
Nonprofit and Community Organizations
Salvation Army offers security deposit and rental assistance through many of its local offices. The amount and availability vary by location, but this is one of the most widely accessible sources of emergency housing funds in the country. Contact your nearest Salvation Army office to apply.
Catholic Charities provides security deposit assistance regardless of religious affiliation. Their programs are available in most major cities and many smaller communities. You do not need to be Catholic to receive help.
Community Action Agencies are local nonprofits funded partly by the federal government that provide a wide range of assistance including security deposits. There are more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies nationwide. Visit communityactionpartnership.com to find yours.
United Way coordinates local resources through its 211 information line. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone to connect with a trained specialist who can identify security deposit assistance programs in your area. This is often the fastest way to find local help.
Local churches, synagogues, and mosques frequently maintain emergency assistance funds that can help with security deposits. Even if you are not a member of the congregation, many houses of worship will help people in their community who are in need. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask.
Security Deposit Alternatives
A growing number of states and cities now allow tenants to pay their security deposit in installments rather than as a lump sum. Check your local tenant rights laws to see if this option is available to you. In some areas, landlords are required to offer installment plans if the tenant requests one.
Security deposit insurance is another newer option. Companies offer policies where you pay a small monthly premium instead of a large upfront deposit. The policy guarantees the landlord the same protection as a traditional deposit, while costing you significantly less upfront. Ask your landlord if they accept security deposit insurance.
Some landlords are willing to negotiate a reduced security deposit, especially if you can provide strong references, proof of stable income, or a co-signer. It never hurts to ask, particularly in areas where landlords are eager to fill vacancies.
How to Apply for Assistance
Start by calling 211. The specialists there can quickly identify which programs are available in your area and walk you through the application process. Have your income information, identification, and details about the apartment you want to move into ready when you call.
Apply to multiple programs at the same time. Do not wait for one application to be denied before submitting another. Many programs have limited funding and distribute assistance on a first-come, first-served basis, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances.
Gather your documentation in advance. Most programs will ask for proof of income, identification, the lease or rental agreement, and a letter from the landlord confirming the deposit amount. Having these ready will speed up the process significantly.
Be persistent. If one program is out of funds or you do not qualify, ask the caseworker to refer you to other options. There are almost always multiple sources of help in any community, and a good caseworker will know which doors to knock on next.
A security deposit should not be the thing that keeps you from having a safe place to live. Help exists, and it is worth the effort to find it.
