Rent Assistance in Columbus, OH

The main public rental assistance program in Columbus, Ohio is Franklin County's PRC Emergency Assistance, and it requires a child or pregnant person in the home. City residents who would have nowhere safe to go can call the Resilient Housing Initiative screening line, which opens only a few hours a week.

Call 211 to ask what is open near you.

Last checked: November 4, 2026. Benefits Explorer is a private directory, not a government agency. We do not take applications, provide rent money or decide eligibility. Each program makes its own decisions.

Adults without children have fewer options. Older adults and veterans have their own lines below. Everyone else should call 211 and ask what is funded this month.

Rent Help in Columbus

Franklin County PRC Emergency Assistance

Who it serves: Franklin County residents with a minor child, pregnant person or non-custodial parent in the home

One-time help that can cover rent or mortgage. Gross household income must be at or below 175% of the poverty level: $2,328 a month for one person, $4,813 for four. You must also complete a Sustainability Determination. Send your application and documents to franklin-cdjfs-agencyprc@jfs.ohio.gov.

Read about Franklin County PRC Emergency Assistance · Phone: 614-233-2999 · Status not confirmed. Call first.

Resilient Housing Initiative (RHI)

Who it serves: Extremely low-income City of Columbus residents at risk of literal homelessness, with nowhere to go if they lose their current housing. It is not for everyone.

Call the RHI Screening Line. Operators check whether you qualify, then a Housing Resource Specialist contacts you about a plan. Not everyone gets money. Rentful lists the line as open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 to 10 a.m., and Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 1 p.m., and says it is sometimes frozen when need is too high. The listing shows no year, so confirm the hours.

Read about Resilient Housing Initiative (RHI) · Phone: 614-278-0080 · Status not confirmed. Call first.

Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging: Eviction Prevention

Who it serves: Qualifying older adults in Franklin County

Limited funds for emergency rent help, and availability can change. Leave your name and number. If you have a three-day or eviction notice, say so in your message.

Read about Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging: Eviction Prevention · Phone: 800-589-7277 · Status not confirmed. Call first.

Franklin County Veterans Service Commission

Who it serves: Veterans discharged under honorable conditions who have lived in Franklin County at least 90 days

Temporary help for an immediate, short-term need. The county's page does not mention rent directly. Rentful lists it for rent help for tenant veterans and service members, by online or phone application. Ask when you request help, at Memorial Hall, 280 East Broad Street, Room 100.

Read about Franklin County Veterans Service Commission · Phone: 614-525-2500 · Status not confirmed. Call first.

IMPACT Community Action

Who it serves: Columbus

Its Housing Stability page says that due to high demand the wait list is paused, with no reopening date. Rentful's list says IMPACT can give limited rent help only to households with an active eviction summons from the court, up to 20 applicants a day. These don't match and neither is dated, so call before you count on it.

Read about IMPACT Community Action · Phone: 614.252.2799 · Status not confirmed. Call first.

Rentful rent help list

Who it serves: Central Ohio renters

A housing site from the City of Columbus, Franklin County, United Way of Central Ohio and partners. It lists rent, utility and legal help, and says the list is updated daily.

Read about Rentful rent help list · Referral line. Ask what is funded now.

Facing Eviction in Columbus?

Franklin County Municipal Court, at 375 S. High St., says to file an answer as soon as your landlord files. It also advises bringing your rent payment to the hearing and seeing Community Mediation Services in the hallway about a payment agreement. The court also warns that once your landlord has given you notice to leave, the landlord no longer has to take rent from you. The court's Self Help Center gives free help Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Court phone: (614) 645-8214. Read Franklin County Municipal Court: Responding to an eviction complaint

Free or low-cost legal help: Legal Aid Society of Columbus. Advice and representation for tenants facing eviction, per the court's resource flyer, which also says it is available on site at eviction court. Call ahead if you can. Legal Aid Society of Columbus website · Phone: 614-241-2001

See general eviction deadlines in Ohio. Always go by what your papers say.

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

Avoid Rent Help Scams

Be careful with anyone who asks for a fee to apply or promises approval. Use the official links on this page, and don't share your Social Security number or bank details with a site you reached from an ad or a text.

More Help in Ohio

Columbus Rent Assistance Questions

Can I get rent help in Columbus without children?

PRC requires a minor child, pregnant person or non-custodial parent in the home. Without one, call the RHI line if you would have nowhere to go, ask 211, and check the older adult and veteran lines if they fit you.

Sources (checked November 4, 2026):