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 Ohio

18 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 Ohio

Ohio has dedicated Domestic Relations Courts and Juvenile Courts (which handle paternity and unmarried-parent custody) in most counties. The Office of Child Support operates under JFS. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Akron anchor the major metros. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Community Legal Aid cover the state.

18 Resources

1. Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) — Free

State agency providing affordable housing opportunities for Ohio residents through first-time homebuyer loan programs, down payment assistance, rental assistance, and housing tax credits. Also funds HUD-approved housing counseling agencies statewide. Call 614-466-7970 or email contactus@ohiohome.org Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Visit ohiohome.org to check current loan programs and income eligibility requirements before applying.

614-466-7970 · 57 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Ohio Development Services Agency — Free

Administers key community development programs for Ohio residents including the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for utility bills, home weatherization to reduce energy costs, and community services block grants distributed through local community action agencies. Call 614-466-2480 or email contactus@development.ohio.gov Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Visit development.ohio.gov to find your local program and check eligibility requirements.

614-466-2480 · 77 S High St, 28th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. IMPACT Community Action (Columbus) — Free

Provides emergency rental assistance, utility bill assistance, financial coaching, and self-sufficiency programs for low-income residents of Franklin County and the Columbus area. Call 614-252-2799 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or email info@impactca.org. Visit impactca.org. Located at 700 Bryden Rd, Columbus, OH 43215. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bill, and documentation of your emergency need when applying for rental or utility assistance.

614-252-2799 · 700 Bryden Rd, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Community Action Akron Summit — Free

Serves Summit County and Akron-area residents with housing assistance, emergency home energy assistance (HEAP), weatherization services to lower utility bills, and financial stability and self-sufficiency programs for low-income families. Call 330-376-7730 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Located at 55 E Mill St, Akron, OH 44308. Bring proof of income, utility bills, and lease or mortgage documents when applying for assistance.

330-376-7730 · 55 E Mill St, Akron, OH 44308 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

5. Cincinnati/Hamilton County Community Action Agency — Free

Provides emergency rental assistance, utility bill assistance, homebuyer education, and financial empowerment services for low-income residents in Hamilton County and the Cincinnati area. Call 513-569-1840 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Located at 1740 Langdon Farm Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45237. Bring proof of income, utility bills or eviction notice, and photo ID when applying. Income eligibility screening required for most programs.

513-569-1840 · 1740 Langdon Farm Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45237 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) — Free

Statewide nonprofit advocating for affordable housing policy and homeless services while coordinating HUD-funded housing counseling agencies throughout Ohio. Connects residents and providers to housing resources and advocates for stronger housing policy at the state level. Call 614-280-1984 or email info@cohhio.org Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Visit cohhio.org. Located at 175 S Third St, Suite 580, Columbus. Not a direct service provider — refer families to local housing counseling agencies.

614-280-1984 · 175 S Third St, Suite 580, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland — Free

HUD-approved housing counseling agency in Northeast Ohio offering foreclosure prevention counseling, homebuyer education, financial literacy coaching, and credit counseling services. Call 216-361-0718 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or email info@theempowermentcenter.com. Visit theempowermentcenter.com. Located at 3631 Perkins Ave, Suite 2A-S, Cleveland. Bring mortgage statements, income documentation, and a list of debts to your counseling appointment for the most effective session.

216-361-0718 · 3631 Perkins Ave, Suite 2A-S, Cleveland, OH 44114 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Miami Valley Community Action Partnership (Dayton) — Free

Provides emergency rental and utility assistance, home weatherization services, and self-sufficiency programs for low-income residents in the Dayton and Montgomery County area. Call 937-341-5000 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or email info@mvcap.org. Visit mvcap.org. Located at 721 Richard Allen Ct, Dayton, OH 45417. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bill, and documentation of your emergency need when applying for rental or utility assistance.

937-341-5000 · 721 Richard Allen Ct, Dayton, OH 45417 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Rebuilding Together Greater Cleveland — Free

Provides free home repairs and accessibility modifications to low-income homeowners, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities across Greater Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. Repairs may include roofing, plumbing, electrical, and ramp installation. Call 216-361-8510 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or email info@rtcleveland.org. Located at 3473 Fulton Rd, Cleveland. Applications reviewed based on income eligibility and repair priority.

216-361-8510 · 3473 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

10. Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) — Free

Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) for low-income Franklin County and Columbus-area families. Manages 2,500+ affordable housing units across the metro area. Call 614-421-6000 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit cmhanet.com. Bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and rental history when applying. Waitlists may be open or closed — check the website for current status before applying.

614-421-6000 · 880 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (Cleveland) — Free

Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) for low-income Cleveland and Cuyahoga County residents. Manages 10,000+ affordable housing units across the area. Call 216-348-5000 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit cmha.net. Bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and rental history when applying. Waitlists may be open or closed — check the website for current waitlist availability before visiting.

216-348-5000 · 8120 Kinsman Rd, Cleveland, OH 44104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. St. Vincent de Paul – Ohio Emergency Assistance — Free

Catholic charity providing emergency rent, utility bill, and food assistance to Ohio residents in need regardless of religious affiliation. Local SVDP conferences operate across all Ohio counties. Call 513-562-8841 or visit svdpusa.org to find your nearest local conference. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and documentation of your emergency need such as a utility shutoff notice or eviction letter when you contact them.

513-562-8841 · Conferences statewide · Varies by conference · Visit Website

13. Salvation Army Ohio – Emergency Services — Free

Emergency rent assistance, utility bill help, food pantries, and shelter services across Ohio through Salvation Army centers in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron, and other cities. Call 614-437-2100 or visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org to find the nearest Ohio location. Office hours typically Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and documentation of your emergency need when visiting for assistance.

614-437-2100 · Multiple OH locations · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

14. 211 Ohio – Housing & Financial Help — Free

Dial 211 for free referrals to emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, food pantries, financial services, and hundreds of other community resources anywhere in Ohio, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained specialists connect callers to the nearest programs for their specific need and location. Also search online at 211.org. No cost to call — available in English and Spanish with interpreter services available.

211 · 24/7/365 · Visit Website

15. HUD Housing Counseling – Ohio — Free

Free HUD-certified housing counselors located across Ohio providing foreclosure prevention counseling, eviction and rental assistance guidance, homebuyer education, and financial coaching. Call 800-569-4287 Mon-Fri 8am-8pm ET to be connected to a HUD-approved counselor near you. Also search hud.gov/counseling by ZIP code. Bring mortgage statements, lease, or eviction notice to your counseling appointment.

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

16. Community Action Agency of Columbiana County — Free

Provides emergency rent assistance, utility bill assistance, home weatherization services to reduce energy costs, and other community support for low-income residents of eastern Ohio's Columbiana County area. Call 330-424-7241 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Located at 7880 Lincolnway, Lisbon, OH 44432. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bill, and documentation of emergency need when applying for assistance.

330-424-7241 · 7880 Lincolnway, Lisbon, OH 44432 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

17. Toledo/Lucas County Homelessness Board — Free

Coordinates homeless prevention and homeless services across Lucas County and the Toledo area including emergency shelter, rapid rehousing programs, and permanent supportive housing for individuals and families. Call 419-245-3200 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Located at 1946 N 13th St, Toledo, OH 43604. Connects residents to emergency shelter and housing resources — dial 211 for after-hours housing referrals in the Toledo area.

419-245-3200 · 1946 N 13th St, Toledo, OH 43604 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

18. Catholic Charities of Ohio – Emergency Assistance — Free

Provides emergency financial aid, food assistance, housing counseling, and comprehensive case management for families in crisis across multiple Ohio Catholic Charities dioceses including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo. Call 614-221-5891 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Assistance available regardless of religious affiliation. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and documentation of your emergency need when contacting your nearest office.

614-221-5891 · Multiple Ohio locations · Mon-Fri 9am-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.