In Louisiana, rental assistance is available through disaster relief programs, long-term federal vouchers, and local emergency funds managed by non-profit organizations. Although the State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP / LAStateRent.com)—created during the pandemic—has formally closed and its federal funds have been exhausted, several options remain available depending on your current situation.
Active disaster-related rental assistance (2026)
If you were displaced or your home was damaged by recent severe weather events, you may qualify for immediate federal grants:
FEMA Temporary Rental Assistance (Tropical Storm Arthur): Eligible renters and homeowners in Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne parishes may receive a short-term grant to cover rent, security deposits, and essential utilities. Applications are being accepted via DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Long-term state and federal programs
The Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) and the federal government administer ongoing housing subsidies for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities:
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (known as Section 8) is a federally funded program administered locally by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). This program helps very low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford safe, decent housing in the private market.
If you receive a voucher, you choose your own housing (whether it is an apartment, a townhouse, or a single-family home). Generally, you pay between 30% and 40% of your adjusted monthly income directly to the landlord, and the government covers the remaining balance.
How to Apply
Check for open application periods: Review tracking tools such as Affordable Housing Online’s Louisiana Waitlist Directory, which lists all currently active application periods in the state.
Contact local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs): Use the HUD contact directory for Louisiana to find direct phone numbers and websites for housing agencies in your area of interest. Ask them when they anticipate holding their next application lottery.
Sign up for multiple lists: You can apply to multiple housing authorities simultaneously if they have open application periods. If you receive a voucher from a specific parish, you generally must reside in that jurisdiction for at least the first 12 months before you can “port” (transfer) that benefit to another location.
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program
Louisiana’s Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program combines affordable rental housing with flexible, voluntary support services. It is designed to help individuals and families with severe or complex disabilities live independently and successfully in their local communities, rather than in institutional settings.
The program is managed through a unique partnership in which the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) administers rental subsidies and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) oversees support services.
Contacts for next steps
By phone: Call the LDH PSH program’s central support line directly at 1-844-698-9075 to request an application or confirm referral requirements for your region.
By email: You can submit documentation or make inquiries regarding eligibility via email at PSHApplications@la.gov.
HOME-ARP Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program
The HOME-ARP Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program is a specialized federal housing initiative designed to foster stability for highly vulnerable individuals and families. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the American Rescue Plan, this program is administered statewide by the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) and by local governments in participating parishes.
Unlike traditional public housing, TBRA is tied directly to the tenant rather than to a specific housing unit. This means you can choose your own private landlord, and if you decide to move, your rental subsidy moves with you to your new home.
How to Apply in Louisiana
Since these funds are specifically intended to prevent homelessness, the LHC does not provide a general public application portal for HOME-ARP TBRA vouchers. Instead, assistance is distributed through regional partner agencies and local Continuum of Care networks:
Parish-specific allocations: Large jurisdictions manage their own HOME-ARP funds directly. For example, you can check local distribution initiatives through the Jefferson Parish HOME-ARP Department.
Coordinated Entry System: If you are currently experiencing homelessness or fleeing an unsafe domestic situation, the fastest way to get a referral to the TBRA program is to contact the Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care (LA BOSCOC) network. This organization uses a centralized assessment system to allocate available HOME-ARP slots to the highest-priority applicants.
Direct inquiry to the LHC: For up-to-date information on which local non-profit organizations are actively administering TBRA funds in your region, you can contact the LHC’s Housing Stability division directly by calling 225-763-8700.
USDA Rural Development Rental Assistance
The USDA Rural Development Rental Assistance program is a federal housing subsidy administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Unlike Section 8 or TBRA program vouchers, this rental assistance is tied to specific projects. This means the subsidy is directly linked to apartment complexes or multifamily housing units located in rural areas of Louisiana.
If you move into an eligible property, you pay 30% of your adjusted monthly household income toward rent and utilities, and the USDA pays the difference directly to the property owner. If you decide to move out of the property, the rental assistance stays with the building; it does not move with you. State Contact Information
If you have questions about regional availability or believe a property manager is administering the program incorrectly, you can contact the state office that oversees these properties:
USDA Rural Development Louisiana State Office
Address: 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302
Phone: (318) 473-7920
Website: rd.usda.gov/la
Local Emergency Assistance (Parishes and Communities)
If you are facing imminent eviction or a short-term financial crisis, local community action networks and faith-based charitable organizations can step in to provide immediate emergency funds:
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Funds: Many local city and parish governments (such as the Baton Rouge Division of Human Services) administer emergency grants from the CSBG program. These funds can cover overdue rent, mortgage, or utility payments if you can demonstrate that you are experiencing temporary financial hardship.
The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army’s Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi division manages local emergency assistance programs designed to help families secure quick payments for rent and utilities during financial emergencies.
Catholic Charities: Regional affiliates, such as Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, administer emergency funds to assist tenants who have a current lease but are facing unexpected expenses.
Louisiana 211: For a local directory of active non-profit programs offering rental assistance in your specific zip code, dial 2-1-1 or text “LAShelter” to 898211.
