How can we help?
Homelessness
HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people.
HUD is not a direct service provider. For direct assistance, please utilize the following information to be connected with available resources:
- All Ohio Counties
- Call 2-1-1 or text 898211 to see if your county has access to 211 and to get connected with health and human service programs.
**If you are unable to get a response from 2-1-1 or receive a message that the service is not available from your location, click here and enter your zip code to find the number for your local office. - You may also contact a homeless service provider or visit HUD's find shelter tool.
- Call 2-1-1 or text 898211 to see if your county has access to 211 and to get connected with health and human service programs.
- Cuyahoga County
- Call 2-1-1 or text 898211 to get connected with health and human service programs.
- Contact a Housing Resource Center: Cuyahoga County Housing Resource Center.
- Contact Coordinated Intake to find shelter: (216) 674-6700.
- Franklin County
- Call 2-1-1 or text 898211 to get connected with health and human service programs.
- Call the Homeless Hotline at (614) 274-7000 to access shelter.
- Call (614) 224-4663 for domestic violence resources.
- Hamilton County
- Call 2-1-1 or text 211CARES to 51555 to get connected with health and human service programs.
- Call the Central Access Point (CAP) Helpline at (513) 381-SAFE (7233) to access shelter.
- Call (800) 799-7233 for domestic violence resources.
- Lucas County
- Call 2-1-1 or text your ZIP code to 898211 to get connected with health and human service programs.
- Mahoning County
- Call 2-1-1 to get connected with health and human service programs.
- Find Homelessness Assistance Agencies in Mahoning County.
- Montgomery County
- Call 2-1-1 or text 898211 to get connected with health and human service programs.
- Call Miami Valley Housing Opportunities at (937) 263-4449 x410.
- Contact Dayton-Kettering-Montgomery County Continuum of Care at (937) 225-4695.
- Stark County
- Contact the Homeless Navigation Hotline at (330) 452-4363.
- Call (330) 491-0445 to get connected with health and human service programs through the United Way.
- Summit County
- Call 2-1-1 to get connected with health and human service programs and the Centralized Intake Department.
- Veterans
- Contact the VA medical center near you and mention your interest in Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program or contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838)
Affordable Places to Live
HUD is not a direct service provider. For direct assistance, please refer to the following resources:
- Contact your Local Public Housing Authority to inquire about information about public housing programs (Housing Choice Vouchers HUD Facts, Public Housing).
Find a list of Public Housing Authority contacts in Ohio or call (800) 955-2232 for help to find your local Public Housing Authority.
- Information for Senior Citizens
- Information for Persons with Disabilities
- Information for Persons Experiencing Violence
- Information for Veterans
- For interest in Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, contact (877) 424-3838.
- Use the HUD Resource Locator to find affordable housing opportunities such as HUD Assisted Apartments near you.
**Please note, the HUD Resource Locator does not show property vacancy. Please call the management company to inquire about vacancies, wait lists or the application process.- HUD does not have applications for these properties.
- HUD does not have information about the vacancies in these properties.
- HUD does not maintain waiting lists.
- For information on the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing programs, contact HUD's PIH Information Resource Center at (800) 955-2232.
- Speak to a HUD Approved Housing Counselor for advice on your specific housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties
A Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property is overseen by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA). Developers and investors who participate in LIHTC pay reduced federal tax rates in exchange for making an investment in an affordable housing development.
To be eligible for an affordable unit in a LIHTC property, you must make no more than the income limit for that unit. LIHTC rents are not based on your income. Instead, rents are set by the use restrictions tied to the unit.Note: LIHTC property owners may accept Housing Choice Voucher tenants. To apply, contact the LIHTC property directly. You can search Ohio LIHTC properties for rent here.
Questions about Ohio LIHTC properties should be directed to OHFA at (614) 466-7970.
- USDA Rural Development Multifamily Housing
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Multifamily Housing programs helps property owners through loans and grants to rehabilitate properties for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers. USDA RD Multifamily Rental Assistance Program provides payments to owners of USDA-financed projects on behalf of low-income tenants unable to pay their full rent.
Search for RD Multifamily Housing Rentals in Ohio.Questions or concerns about Ohio USDA-RD properties should be directed to USDA-RD at (614) 255-2400.
- Local Listings:
You are also advised to check your local city and/or county’s website for additional affordable housing opportunities.
HUD has rental assistance and housing resources through the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.
- Public Housing provides decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. HUD provides federal aid to local Public Housing Authorities (PHA) that manage public housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford.
- Eligibility: Public Housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. A Public Housing Authority determines eligibility based on:
- Annual gross income.
- Whether you qualify as elderly, a person with disabilities or as a family.
- U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
- To apply, contact your local Public Housing Authority.
Housing Choice Voucher (commonly known as Section 8)
- The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program assists low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Housing assistance is provided through HUD on behalf of the family or individual, so participants can find their own housing. You can use an HCV to pay for all or part of the rent.
- Eligibility: A Public Housing Authority will determine eligibility for the housing choice voucher program based on the total annual gross income and family size, U.S. citizenship and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.
- To apply, contact your local Public Housing Authority. During the application process, a Public Housing Authority will collect information on family income, assets and family composition. The Public Housing Authority will use this information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment.
Homeownership
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor about becoming a homeowner. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you
- If you have an FHA loan, contact the FHA Resource Center to discuss options with your lender such as mortgage modification or forbearance.
- Email FHA: answers@hud.gov
- Call FHA: (800) 225-5342
- Contact a private attorney, or if low-income, seek assistance from an Ohio Legal Aid agency: Ohio Legal Help.
- Learn more about homebuying from HUD's website or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287.
- Find the answer online
- Email us
- Call toll-free (800) CALL-FHA (800-225-5342)
TTY: Dial 7-1-1 (Not available in all areas)
- Use the HUD Home Store to find HUD homes for sale in Ohio.
- Find Information on my FHA loan
- Use the SMART Integrated Portal to make a request and begin the subordination process (see SMART FAQs & Resources)
- Contact a Secretary-Held Mortgage Servicing Contractor
- For low-income households, utilize the Ohio Healthy Homes Network list of repair resources sorted by county.
- Contact your city or county's department of development to see if an any local repair funds are available.
- There are various federal loan programs and community-based programs to help with home repairs and improvements.
Learn more about HUD’s home improvements programs. - Contact the FHA Resource Center to discuss potential home equity or improvement loans.
- Email FHA: answers@hud.gov
- Call FHA: (800) 225-5342
- The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts apply to contractors and subcontractors performing on federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works. Find more information on Davis Bacon Labor Standards.
- Section 3 is a means by which HUD fosters local economic development, neighborhood economic improvement, and individual self-sufficiency. Section 3 is the legal basis for providing jobs for residents and awarding contracts to businesses in areas receiving certain types of HUD financial assistance. Find more information on Section 3.
Report Housing Discrimination
* The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, or disability.
- Please visit the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Page
- File a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) Office:
- Online
- Call: (800) 347-3739
In Ohio, you can also file a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
Rent Relief & Eviction Resources
HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people.
HUD is not a direct service provider. For direct assistance, please refer to the following resources:
- Legal Help FAQs list common answers to eviction and landlord-tenant problems.
- Ohio Legal Help offers answers to general questions about evictions and your rights as a tenant in Ohio.
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287.
- Contact your local community action agency.
- Get help paying rent and bills.
- Additional rent relief.
- If you need ongoing utility assistance, contact the Ohio Department of Development for information on applying for Home Energy Assistance Program, Percentage of Income Payment Plan, and other energy assistance programs.
- If you’re currently behind on utility payments, contact your local community action agency, search by county and ask about utility assistance programs.
Speak to a Housing Counselor
- Becoming a homeowner
- Foreclosure assistance
- Reverse mortgages
- Home improvements/repairs to my home
- Renting
Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs.
- Search online for a HUD Approved housing counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287.
Housing Quality & Improved Living Conditions
- Talk to your property manager.
- Resident Information
- REAC Real Estate Assessment Center
- Always inform your landlord or manager about any issues you have with your unit.
- If you know your housing is through a public housing authority, please inform their main office if you are having trouble with your landlord or manager.
- For Public Housing or the Housing Choice Voucher program contact HUD's PIH Information Resource Center at 1-800-955-2232.
- For a HUD-assisted apartment complex, contact HUD's Multifamily Housing - Complaint Line at 1-800-685-8470.
- For issues at LIHTC properties, contact the Ohio Housing Finance Agency at (870) 775-6446.
- For low-income homeowners, visit the Ohio Healthy Homes Network’s list of repair resources sorted by county.
- Contact your city or county's department of development to see an any local repair funds are available.
- There are various federal loan programs and community-based programs to help with home repairs and improvements. Learn more about HUD’s Home Improvements programs.
- Contact the FHA Resource Center to discuss potential home equity or improvement loans.
- Email FHA: answers@hud.gov
- Call FHA: (800) 225-5342
Disaster Resources
Immediately after a disaster, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other government agencies offer initial assistance. HUD then provides additional support for ongoing recovery through programs and partnerships.
- Register with FEMA online
- Register through FEMA’s disaster app on your smartphone. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, you can go to www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products
- Call (800) 621-3362. Phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are on duty.
- Reach out to your local Red Cross
- HUD Disaster Resources
- HUD Disaster Line: Call 1-800-304-9320 or email recovery@hud.gov
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287.
My Local Office Information
For assistance at all times, we encourage you to utilize the self-help resources above.
If you are unable to have your questions answered from the resources above, please click on the Need More Help button below to contact your local office for further assistance.
Cleveland Field Office
North Point Office Complex
1001 Lakeside Ave, Suite #350
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 357-7900
TTY: (800) 877-8339
Fax: (216) 357-7920
Kevin Laviano, Field Office Director
Columbus Field Office
Bricker Federal Building
200 North High Street, 7th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 469-5737
TTY: (800) 877-8339
Fax: (614) 280-6178
Anthony F. Fortè, Field Office Director
⚠ In Distress? Reach Out for Help Now
At HUD, we know housing challenges often come with other struggles. You’re not alone. These resources can help with safe housing, emergencies, or connecting with someone who will listen.
If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. If you are feeling overwhelmed, facing mental health struggles, or emotional distress, free support is available any time:
- Call: 988
- Text: 988
- Chat: 988lifeline.org
Trained counselors are here to listen and help, 24/7.
Support for Domestic Violence Survivors. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available 24/7:
- Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text: "Start" to 88788
- Visit: The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Mental Health & Substance Use Support. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline offers free and confidential support for mental health, drug or alcohol use, and recovery:
- Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- TTY: 1-800-487-4889
- Text: Your ZIP code to 435748
- Visit: SAMHSA's National Helpline
Rental, Homelessness, and Eviction Help. Need help with housing challenges, like eviction, renting, foreclosure, or credit issues?
- Find a Housing Counselor: HUD's Housing Counseling Resources
- Call: 800-569-4287 (or 202-708-1455 for TTY) for multilingual assistance or disaster relief assistance.
- Visit: www.findhelp.org