Programs | HOUSE, Inc.

Program status

HOUSE, Inc. is not accepting applications for its Emergency Housing Assistance Program at this time because funds are low.

We are a small charity with a very limited number of volunteers and modest donation levels, which affects our capacity to accept new applications. We will post an announcement on this site when funding allows us to accept applications again.

For information about the program and the resources we hope to provide, see the descriptions below. If you need help right now, see our apply page for alternative resources.

Primary Program

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

Our flagship program. Direct payment to a landlord or housing provider to cover rent in arrears or other imminent housing costs, preventing an active or threatened eviction.

How it works:

Household submits an application with documentation (lease, notice, income, hardship explanation)
Board reviews the application at its next meeting
If approved, payment is sent directly to the landlord or property manager
Funds are never paid to the applicant in cash

Typical assistance range: Generally between $300 and $9,000 per household, depending on documented need and available funds.

Secondary Tool

Zero-Interest Forgivable Loans

For working families with a clear path to recovery, assistance may be provided as a zero-interest forgivable loan rather than a grant. This allows donor funds to be recycled to help additional families over time.

Key terms:

No interest charged
No monthly payment required during the hardship period
Loans may be forgiven entirely based on documented continued hardship or successful completion of the stability plan
No penalties for borrowers who cannot repay

We do not report loans to credit bureaus. We do not pursue collection on hardship-driven loans. The goal of the program is to keep families housed — not to create new financial burdens.

What we don't do

To stay focused on our mission and use donor funds responsibly, HOUSE, Inc. does not currently provide:

Direct cash payments to individuals
Mortgage payoffs (we may assist with mortgage arrears to prevent foreclosure in narrow cases)
Security deposits for new leases (occasionally possible, case-by-case)
Utility-only assistance (we focus on rent and core housing costs)
Ongoing monthly rent subsidies

How decisions are made

Every application is reviewed by our volunteer board of directors. The board considers:

Documented imminence of eviction or housing loss
Income qualification and household size
Prior rental history and landlord communication
The household's plan for ongoing stability
Available funds and the impact on our ability to help other applicants

Decisions are communicated in writing. We do not guarantee approval of any application.

Our Programs