Rent Assistance in Ohio

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.

We found no single statewide rent application in Ohio that we could verify as open. The practical starting point is the Community Action agency for your county, which the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies lists in a county-by-county directory. Availability differs by agency: in Columbus, for example, IMPACT says its housing stability wait list is paused.

Ohio moves quickly once a notice is posted. Ohio Legal Help says a landlord can file after three full days, and the whole process can take 4 to 6 weeks. Akron, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo have Right to Counsel programs that give free lawyers to some low-income tenants.

Where to Start in Ohio

Ohio Community Action agencies

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies keeps a directory covering all 88 counties, with each local agency's phone number and website. Choose your county on the Find an Agency page and ask whether that agency has rent or eviction prevention funds now. The number here is the association's office, which does not replace your local agency.

Visit website · Phone: 614-224-8500 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Right to Counsel programs

Ohio Legal Help says a few Ohio cities offer free legal services to some low-income tenants: Akron, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. These provide a lawyer and do not pay rent. Use the Find a Lawyer link on Ohio Legal Help for your local legal aid office.

Visit website · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Local Rent Help in Ohio

IMPACT Community Action (Columbus)

Its Housing Stability and Supportive Services page says the wait list is currently paused due to high demand and asks people to check back. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at 711 Southwood Avenue.

Visit website · Phone: 614-252-2799 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Step Forward, Inc. (Cuyahoga County, including Cleveland)

The county's Community Action agency, formerly known as CEOGC, per the state association's directory. Ask what rent help it can offer now.

Visit website · Phone: 216-696-9077 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

CHN Housing Partners Family Stability Initiative (Cuyahoga County)

For Cuyahoga County renters with a hardship such as lost income or a major unexpected expense, who have a child under 18 or in grades up to 12th. Households must join housing counseling, show they can keep up rent afterward, and can receive this once every 24 months. The page says the program is currently closed and will reopen on Monday, December 7 at 8 a.m., without stating a year, so call to confirm.

Visit website · Phone: 216-574-7100 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Cleveland Right to Counsel (City of Cleveland)

Cleveland tenants with at least one child and income at or below the federal poverty guidelines have a right to a lawyer in eviction cases. Check eligibility at FreeEvictionHelp.org or call Legal Aid during most business hours.

Visit website · Phone: 1-888-817-3777 · Accepting applications when last checked

Community Action Agency Cincinnati-Hamilton County (Hamilton County, including Cincinnati)

Listed in the state association's directory for Hamilton County. For free legal help with foreclosure or eviction in Southwest Ohio, the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio is at 513-241-9400.

Visit website · Phone: 513-569-1840 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Other metro Community Action agencies (Summit, Lucas and Montgomery counties)

From the state directory: Community Action Akron Summit at 330-376-7730, Pathway, Inc. in Lucas County (Toledo) at 419-242-7304, and Miami Valley Community Action Partnership in Montgomery County (Dayton) at 937-341-5000. Availability of rent help varies by agency.

Visit website · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Facing Eviction in Ohio?

Your landlord must give a 3-day notice to leave before filing, usually posted on the door, and must wait at least three full days. The court then sends a summons, with about two weeks until the hearing, and you can ask for a continuance to find a lawyer. If the judge orders eviction, a red tag on your door gives a deadline, generally 5 days, after which the landlord can ask the sheriff to remove your belongings. Read the official guidance

Free or low-cost legal help: Ohio Legal Help. A statewide legal information site with Ohio eviction guides. Its Find a Lawyer tool connects you to the legal aid office for your area. Visit website

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

More Help in Ohio

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.

Ohio Rent Assistance Questions

Who should I call first for rent help in Ohio?

Your county's Community Action agency, found on the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies directory. Ask specifically about rent or eviction prevention funds, since programs and funding differ by county.

Can I pay what I owe and stop an eviction in Cleveland?

Cleveland has a Pay to Stay ordinance that lets renters offer past-due rent, late fees and court costs as a defense to nonpayment eviction. Partial payment does not count. A letter showing rental assistance is approved and processing can count as an offer of rent.

How long does an Ohio eviction take?

Ohio Legal Help says it can take 4 to 6 weeks. That leaves little time, so call for rent help and legal aid as soon as a 3-day notice arrives and go to your hearing.

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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