Mortgage, Rent and Utility Assistance
Disclaimer: These resources are regularly reviewed to ensure that links still work correctly and the resources listed continue to be helpful to our visitors. If you find that a link isn't working or information is incorrect or if you'd like to have your own organization listed here, please email thedirectory@lls.org.
Because we want to be sure that our visitors find the most relevant resources, we've listed these organizations in order of relevancy from most specifically relevant to most generally relevant to the topic of this page.
2-1-1
Population served: Everyone in the United States (check the website for availability in your area)
2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Services vary from community to community.
Examples of service referrals include:
- Basic human need resources: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility assistance
- Physical and mental health resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention
- Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs
- Support for older Americans and persons with disabilities: home healthcare, adult daycare, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation and homemaker services
- Support for children, youth and families: childcare, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services
Andrew McDonough B Foundation
Website only
Population served: Pediatric cancer patients (under the age of 21) and their families in the United States. Assistance is available to families who are experiencing financial hardship brought on by the diagnosis.
The B Foundation is committed to helping the families of critically ill children with financial assistance so they can focus on helping their child get well.
- Provides financial support to eligible patients once a year for a maximum of 2 years
- Grants typically can range from $250 - $750
- Application available on the website
Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation
Contact: (800) 238-6479 or (717) 545-7600
Population served: Children, infancy through age 17 diagnosed with cancer, in the United States
Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation strives to touch the lives of those living with cancer with a positive, uplifting message through a variety of unique programs.
- Helping Hands Fund is an emergency-intervention assistance program designed to help prevent cancer from being financially devastating to families. It can assist families in need by assisting with overdue rent and utility bill shut-off notices
Making Home Affordable Program
Contact: (888) 995-4673
Population served: Residents of the United States who are owner occupants of a one- to four-unit home and are in danger of losing the home
The Making Home Affordable Program, administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is available to assist American families who may be eligible to refinance or modify their loans to a payment that is affordable now and into the future.
- Offers a call center staffed with HUD-approved housing counselors who can assist in evaluating the homeowner's income and expenses to assess eligibility for the program and assist in identifying the needed documentation to complete the application
- Assists homeowners who pay their mortgages on time but are not able to refinance to take advantage of today's lower mortgage rates perhaps due to a decrease in the value of their home. A Home Affordable Refinance will help borrowers whose loans are held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac refinance into a more affordable mortgage
- Assist homeowners who are struggling to make monthly mortgage payments perhaps because their interest rate has increased or they have less income. A Home Affordable Modification will provide them with affordable mortgage payments
Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF)
Contact: (888) 995-4673
Population served: Anyone facing foreclosure/delinquent mortgage payments in the United States
HPF develops innovative solutions for preserving and expanding homeownership by partnering with consumers, policymakers and the mortgage-lending industry. Counselors are certified and trained to set up a plan of action designed for each individual situation.
- Provides a call center with counselors who help create an individualized plan of action (available 24/7)
- Provides free counseling and connects callers with local nonprofit resources
- HPF does not do refinancing, down-payment assistance or provide loans
Surviving and Moving Forward: the SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer (the SAMFund)
Contact: (866) 439-9365
Population served: U.S. residents between the ages of 17 and 35 who have finished treatment
The SAMFund provides grants and scholarships to young adult survivors to help supplement money that was lost during treatment. The grants and scholarships help pay for transitional expenses such as education, living, job search and lingering medical bills.
- Provides grants toward independent living (moving expenses, rent and utilities assistance, car insurance, public transportation passes and legal expenses)
- Applications in the form of letters of intent are reviewed annually
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Contact: (866) 674-6327
Population served: People in the United States who cannot meet utility expenses
LIHEAP's purpose is to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs.
- Learn more about individual program components offered
- Provides contact information for local and state LIHEAP agencies, low-income utility programs or charitable assistance resources by state
