KEEPING FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES DURING A FINANCIAL CRISIS

TCAA's Community Action Program offers emergency relief for rent, mortgage, and utility payments for households experiencing a financial crisis impacting their housing, utilities, health, and safety.

TCAA’s Community Action Program is providing a new way for renters to get help with rent or utility bills. We can still help with mortgage payments, too. These resources are available to qualifying households during financial hardship. Depending on your situation, there are two separate application procedures.

Please review this information carefully and contact our Help with Bills Hotline (480-389-1375) during regular business hours if you have questions before applying. 

1. SPECIAL EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Households experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA). Qualified households can receive up to six (6) months for rental and utility assistance. Payments can be made for past due, owed, and/or future rental and utility bills based on funding availability and payment history. Clients who have received six (6) or more months of assistance will not be eligible for additional ongoing ERA payments but will have the opportunity to engage in support services provided by Maricopa County's Human Services Department Community Services Division.

Who is eligible?

To qualify,

• Renters must live in Tempe, AND
• Have an income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (click here for income details), AND
• Someone in the household qualified for Unemployment benefits OR the household experienced reduced income or increased expenses due to COVID-19, AND
• The household is at risk of becoming homeless or housing is unstable (for example, has past-due rent or utility notices or eviction notice).

Priority Households

The special funds are intended for those who are most in need. Priority will be given to lower-income households and those households that have been unemployed for the 90 days prior to their application.

Not sure if you qualify? Need more information on the special rental assistance? Click here to learn more about the program.

Apply online:  If you think you qualify, you must apply for rent and utility assistance through a portal managed by Maricopa County Human Services Department's Client Portal:

Apply in-person: Paper applications are available to individuals who have barriers to completing an online application. TCAA has computers available on-site for individuals to use to apply for assistance. To utilize the computers or to inquire about a paper application, visit our Apache office at 2146 E. Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281 during regular office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM

Call our Help with Bills Hotline (480-389-1375) during regular business hours if you have questions or need help with the application.

2. HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE FUNDS

TCAA has funding available to help families meet their basic energy needs and move toward economic stability. These funds are established to help alleviate crisis situations by prevention disconnecting and/or facilitating reconnection of utility services. Eligible utility assistance providers include Arizona Public Service (APS), Salt River Project (SRP), and Southwest Gas. Home Energy Assistance Funds are limited. Eligibility for funds is determined based off household income levels and condition of household crisis.

To get help:

• Applications for HEAF funds are available on-site at our Apache office at 2146 E Apache Blvd during regular office hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00a to 5:00p.
• Complete all sections of the application(s) and attach all required documents.
• Drop off your completed application(s) and all required attachments at TCAA's front desk any time during business hours. You will not be meeting with a caseworker at this time.  
• Our team will review your application and contact you within five business days.

Keep in mind: Completed packets are handled in the order received. Applications cannot be processed if required attachments are missing. Because funding is limited, not all requests can be approved. 

You may call the Help with Bills Hotline (480-389-1375) to discuss your eligibility for emergency rent, mortgage, or utility assistance. Calls are accepted in the order received Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. During high-demand periods you may be on hold for an extended period.

If you are unsuccessful in your attempt to secure financial assistance through TCAA, other resources may be accessible through Arizona’s 2-1-1 (free information and referral) service. Dial 2-1-1 or 877-211-8661 from anywhere, or click here to search for resource information.

Understanding Your Tenant Rights and the Eviction Process

Click here to learn the eviction process in Arizona, your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in this process. 

Steps to Delay Eviction During COVID-19

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Non-Discrimination Policy