Rent Assistance in Louisiana

Last checked: November 2026. Benefits Explorer is a directory. We do not provide rent money or decide who gets help, and each program makes its own decisions.

Louisiana's pandemic rent program stopped taking applications in December 2022 and paid out its last funds by April 2023. What remains is organized by parish. The Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) publishes a directory of Community Action agencies, many of them run by parish governments, and that list is the place to find your local door.

East Baton Rouge has the most clearly described local help found: a one-time emergency rent or mortgage payment within 12 months, subject to available funds. New Orleans is notable in the other direction. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services says all renters there have a right to an attorney in eviction court, though no current city rent fund could be confirmed.

Where to Start in Louisiana

LHC Community Action Agency directory

The Louisiana Housing Corporation lists Community Action agencies by parish or region with phone numbers. The directory does not state which offices have rent money, so call yours and ask. The LHC main line is 225-763-8700, and LHC warns that it never collects payments directly from program recipients.

Visit website · Phone: 225-763-8700 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

LHC Homelessness Solutions

LHC's route to housing and supportive services for people at risk of homelessness, with links to the state's balance-of-state Continuum of Care at laboscoc.org. LHC's home page does not describe a statewide rent payment program.

Visit website · Phone: 225-763-8700 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Local Rent Help in Louisiana

East Baton Rouge Emergency Rent/Mortgage Assistance (FEMA) (East Baton Rouge Parish)

For individuals and families facing eviction or foreclosure from an unforeseen crisis. It is limited to a one-time payment in a 12-month period and depends on available funds. Bring income verification, photo ID, Social Security cards for everyone in the household and proof of residency. Call the Office of Social Services about any other requirements.

Visit website · Phone: 225-358-4561 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

East Baton Rouge CSBG Emergency Assistance (East Baton Rouge Parish)

Can help with utilities, rent or mortgage and medication payments, contingent on available funds. The parish lists an income guideline of 125% of poverty, which it shows as $15,075 a year for one person and $30,750 for four. Needs the same documents as the parish's emergency rent program.

Visit website · Phone: 225-389-3000 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

East Baton Rouge Emergency Solutions Grant partners (East Baton Rouge Parish)

The city-parish describes ESG help for people homeless or at risk of homelessness, including rent, deposits and case management, with partners such as Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul and Youth Oasis. No program-specific phone number is listed.

Visit website · Phone: 225-389-3000 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Total Community Action (New Orleans)

The Community Action agency LHC lists for New Orleans. LHC's directory does not say what rent help it has now, so call to ask.

Visit website · Phone: 504-872-0334 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Jefferson Community Action Programs (Jefferson Parish)

Listed in LHC's directory for Jefferson Parish. Ask whether emergency rent funds are available.

Visit website · Phone: 504-736-6900 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Caddo Community Action Agency (Caddo Parish)

LHC's listed agency for Caddo Parish, which includes Shreveport. The directory gives the number but not current programs.

Visit website · Phone: 318-861-4808 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Calcasieu Parish Human Services Department (Calcasieu Parish)

The parish department LHC lists as its Community Action contact. Call to learn whether rent help is being offered.

Visit website · Phone: 337-721-4030 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Facing Eviction in Louisiana?

Acadiana Legal Service Corporation says Louisiana law requires a five-day Notice to Vacate before a landlord files for eviction, but your lease can waive that right, and then the landlord may file with no notice. Next comes a Rule for Possession with a court date, and trial can be as soon as three days after service. The Louisiana Access to Justice Commission's January 2026 answer form warns that missing court means automatic eviction, and that in City, Parish or District court you must file the notarized answer with a defense checked to stop an eviction during an appeal. If the judge rules against you, you have 24 hours from the signing of the judgment before the sheriff, marshal or constable can start removing your belongings. A landlord cannot lock you out, cut utilities or put your things out without a court order. Read the official guidance

Free or low-cost legal help: Southeast Louisiana Legal Services. Free civil legal help for eligible people in 22 southeast parishes, including Orleans, Jefferson and East Baton Rouge. For evictions, call the closest office instead of applying online, since SLLS treats evictions as emergencies. New Orleans renters facing eviction can use ext. 223. Most other parishes in south, central and north Louisiana are served by Acadiana Legal Service Corporation at 1-866-275-2572. Visit website · Phone: 504-529-1000 ext. 223

This page is general information, not legal advice. Don't ignore a notice or court papers, because eviction deadlines can be short.

Louisiana Programs That Have Closed

You may still see these programs online. Check before you spend time on an application.

  • Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP): The state's pandemic rent and utility program began in March 2021. The state's Office of Community Development says the application period closed on December 21, 2022, with all funds disbursed by April 2023.
  • East Baton Rouge COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program: The city-parish's pandemic program for tenants with COVID-19 hardship. Its housing page now says it is no longer accepting applications.

More Help in Louisiana

Want other options? See our full rent assistance guide, including how to spot a scam, or see your options. That form is not an application for rent assistance. If you submit it, Benefits Explorer and its partners may contact you.

Louisiana Rent Assistance Questions

Is Louisiana's Emergency Rental Assistance Program still open?

No. The state says the application period closed on December 21, 2022, and all funds were disbursed by April 2023. For current help, call the Community Action agency for your parish from LHC's directory.

Who helps with back rent in Baton Rouge?

East Baton Rouge's Office of Social Services lists emergency rent and mortgage help for people facing eviction from an unforeseen crisis, limited to one payment in 12 months and depending on funds. Call 225-358-4561 to ask whether money is available and what to bring.

Do New Orleans renters get a free lawyer in eviction court?

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services says all renters in New Orleans have a right to an attorney in eviction court, and that you should seek help right away after an eviction notice. Call 504-529-1000 ext. 223. Free services through SLLS depend on eligibility.

Rent Assistance in Nearby States

Most programs only help people who live in their state. If you are moving or live near a state line, you can also check:

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