How long is the waitlist for Section 8?

Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.

211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.

Can single dads get TANF?

Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.

Housing & Financial in Louisiana

15 verified resources.

About Housing & Financial for Fathers

Housing and financial assistance for fathers comes through a combination of federal programs (HUD, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP) and state/local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with long waitlists in most markets. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program — every region has a Coordinated Entry system that assesses and places homeless adults and families. Rental assistance, utility assistance (LIHEAP), and one-time emergency funds are available through community action agencies and 211 referral lines. Fathers with children in their custody may qualify for Section 8 family priority and TANF, though state rules vary. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 call lines, and community action agencies that serve single dads.

Housing & Financial in Louisiana

Louisiana is the only US state based on civil law (Napoleonic Code) rather than common law. Family matters are heard in district courts, with most parishes having dedicated family sections. The Department of Children and Family Services Child Support Enforcement Services handles enforcement. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette are the major cities. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provide civil legal aid.

15 Resources

1. Louisiana Housing Corporation — Free

State agency administering affordable housing programs, rental assistance, homebuyer education, and down payment assistance for low- and moderate-income Louisiana fathers and families. Call 225-763-8700 or visit 2415 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge weekdays. Useful entry point for identifying state housing resources. Bring photo ID and income documentation to determine eligibility across programs including LHC-administered rental and homebuyer supports.

225-763-8700 · 2415 Quail Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Housing Authority of New Orleans — Free

Administers public housing units and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for income-eligible New Orleans fathers and families. Applications, recertifications, and inspections handled weekdays. Call 504-670-3300 or visit 4100 Touro Street. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, income documentation, and proof of citizenship or eligible status for application. Waitlists may apply depending on program and availability.

504-670-3300 · 4100 Touro St, New Orleans, LA 70122 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. East Baton Rouge Housing Authority — Free

Affordable housing units and Section 8 vouchers for income-eligible Baton Rouge fathers and families. Handles applications, recertifications, and inspections weekdays. Call 225-923-8100 or visit 4731 North Boulevard. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, income documentation, and proof of citizenship or eligible status for application intake. Waitlists often apply; check current opening status for each program.

225-923-8100 · 4731 N Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Salvation Army – Louisiana — Free

Emergency rent, utility, and shelter assistance for Louisiana fathers and families facing crisis. Services vary by location and available funding. Call 504-529-3842 or visit 4530 S Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans. Bring photo ID, proof of residency, income documentation, and current utility or rental notices for intake. Multiple Louisiana locations serve additional parishes; call local Salvation Army offices for schedules.

504-529-3842 · 4530 S Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

5. Habitat for Humanity – Louisiana — Free

Affordable homeownership opportunities through sweat-equity construction partnerships for qualifying low-income Louisiana fathers and families. Serves New Orleans and other affiliates statewide. Call 504-861-2077 or visit 2900 Elysian Fields Avenue weekdays. Applications require income documentation, employment history, willingness to partner on construction, and ability to pay an affordable mortgage. Check individual affiliates for local application cycles.

504-861-2077 · 2900 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. United Way 211 – Louisiana — Free

Free 24/7 information and referral line connecting Louisiana fathers and families to housing, utility, food, childcare, and emergency assistance resources in their parish. Dial 211 from any phone in Louisiana. Trained specialists listen to your situation and provide specific local resource referrals. Confidential and multilingual; useful starting point when you're unsure where to turn for help.

211 · 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Shreveport Housing Authority — Free

Administers public housing units and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for income-eligible Shreveport area fathers and families. Handles applications, recertifications, and inspections weekdays. Call 318-227-7751 or visit 2500 Line Avenue. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, income documentation, and proof of citizenship or eligible status for application intake. Waitlists may apply depending on program openings.

318-227-7751 · 2500 Line Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. Lafayette Housing Authority — Free

Public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs for income-eligible fathers and families in the Lafayette area. Handles applications, recertifications, and inspections weekdays. Call 337-233-1327 or visit 115 E Convent Street. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, income documentation, and proof of citizenship or eligible status for intake. Waitlists may apply depending on current program availability.

337-233-1327 · 115 E Convent St, Lafayette, LA 70501 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

9. Lake Charles Housing Authority — Free

Affordable public housing and rental assistance programs for income-eligible fathers and families in the Lake Charles area. Handles applications, recertifications, and inspections weekdays. Call 337-439-3571 or visit 1515 Enterprise Boulevard. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, income documentation, and proof of citizenship or eligible status for intake. Waitlists may apply; check current program openings.

337-439-3571 · 1515 Enterprise Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

10. Monroe Housing Authority — Free

Administers public housing units and voucher programs for income-eligible fathers and families in the Monroe area. Handles applications, recertifications, and inspections weekdays. Call 318-388-0252 or visit 300 Harrison Street. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, income documentation, and proof of citizenship or eligible status for intake appointment. Waitlists may apply depending on current program openings.

318-388-0252 · 300 Harrison St, Monroe, LA 71201 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

11. Alexandria Housing Authority — Free

Affordable housing and rental assistance programs for income-eligible fathers and families in central Louisiana including the Alexandria area. Handles applications, recertifications, and inspections weekdays. Call 318-442-8697 or visit 501 Lee Street. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, income documentation, and proof of citizenship or eligible status for intake. Waitlists may apply depending on program availability.

318-442-8697 · 501 Lee St, Alexandria, LA 71301 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

12. St. Vincent de Paul Society – Louisiana — Free

Emergency rent and utility assistance for Louisiana fathers and families in crisis, provided through local parish conferences affiliated with Catholic parishes. Assistance varies by location and available donations. Call 504-482-3220 or visit 1507 Magazine Street in New Orleans weekdays. Bring photo ID, proof of residency, income documentation, and current utility or rental notices for intake. Conferences operate in many Louisiana parishes.

504-482-3220 · 1507 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

13. HUD-Approved Housing Counseling – Louisiana — Free

Free HUD-certified housing counseling for Louisiana fathers including homebuyer education, rental guidance, and foreclosure prevention. Counselors review finances, explain programs, and help create housing plans. Call 800-569-4287 weekdays or visit hud.gov/states/louisiana to find local agencies. Services free and unbiased. Useful before applying for mortgages, signing leases, or responding to foreclosure notices for informed decision-making.

800-569-4287 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Kenner Housing Authority — Free

Administers public housing units and Section 8 programs for income-eligible fathers and families in the Kenner area of Jefferson Parish. Handles applications, recertifications, and inspections weekdays. Call 504-466-4861 or visit 1013 31st Street. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, income documentation, and proof of citizenship or eligible status for application intake. Waitlists may apply.

504-466-4861 · 1013 31st St, Kenner, LA 70065 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

15. Community Action Agency – Shreveport — Free

Emergency financial assistance, utility help, weatherization, and housing programs for low-income Shreveport area fathers and families. Serves Caddo and Bossier parishes. Call 318-227-2606 or visit 2115 Fairfield Avenue weekdays. Bring photo ID, proof of residency, income documentation, and current utility or rental notices for intake. Programs funded through federal community services block grants and partner sources.

318-227-2606 · 2115 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Housing & Financial — Common Questions

How long is the waitlist for Section 8?: Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Can single dads get TANF?: Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
What's LIHEAP?: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.