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 Utah

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 Utah

Utah district courts handle family law in each of its eight judicial districts; juvenile courts handle parentage and some custody matters. The Office of Recovery Services (ORS) operates child support enforcement. Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo, and West Jordan are the largest cities. Utah Legal Services and the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake provide free civil representation.

15 Resources

1. Utah Housing Corporation — Free

State-chartered corporation administering affordable housing programs, mortgage financing for first-time buyers, rental assistance, and homebuyer education from the West Valley City headquarters. Fathers can call weekdays to learn about current loan products, down-payment assistance, and tax-credit apartments. Most programs require income qualification. Bring pay stubs, tax returns, Social Security numbers, and identification when applying through a participating lender.

801-902-8200 · 2479 S Lake Park Blvd, West Valley City, UT 84120 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Housing Authority of Salt Lake City — Free

Administers public housing units and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income Salt Lake City residents from the South West Temple office. Fathers can call weekdays or walk in to ask about current waiting list openings and application procedures. Eligibility is based on income and household composition. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards and birth certificates for all household members, and income documentation to apply.

801-487-2161 · 1776 S West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84115 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

3. Utah Department of Workforce Services – Housing — Free

State agency offering emergency financial help for rent, utilities, and basic needs from regional employment centers statewide, including the Salt Lake City office. Fathers in crisis can apply online or call weekdays to screen for eligibility. Assistance is time-limited and income-based. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of income or job loss, and a current lease or utility disconnection notice.

801-526-9675 · 140 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Salvation Army – Utah — Free

Provides emergency rent and utility assistance, food boxes, shelter, and holiday support from the Salt Lake City corps and regional offices across Utah. Fathers in a housing crisis can call weekdays to screen for help and schedule an appointment. Assistance is one-time and subject to available funds. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, proof of income, a current lease or eviction notice, and any utility shutoff paperwork.

801-322-1242 · 252 S 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

5. Habitat for Humanity – Salt Lake — Free

Builds and sells affordable homes to qualifying low-to-moderate income families in the Salt Lake Valley, with zero-percent mortgages and sweat-equity requirements. Fathers can call weekdays or attend an information session to learn about current application cycles. Eligibility is income-based and requires willingness to partner. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, pay stubs, tax returns, and credit report information when applying.

801-263-0136 · 624 S 300 W #100, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Ogden Housing Authority — Free

Administers public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income Ogden-area families from the Lincoln Avenue office. Fathers can call weekdays or walk in to ask about current waiting list openings and application procedures. Eligibility is based on income and household composition. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards and birth certificates for all household members, and current income documentation when applying for housing assistance.

801-627-2600 · 2220 Lincoln Ave, Ogden, UT 84401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

7. Provo Housing Authority — Free

Provides affordable housing units, Section 8 vouchers, and homeownership programs for low-income residents of Provo and surrounding Utah County communities. Fathers can call weekdays or visit the North 100 North office to ask about current waiting list status and application procedures. Eligibility is income-based. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards and birth certificates for all household members, and income documentation when applying for any program.

801-852-6450 · 650 W 100 N, Provo, UT 84601 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Road Home – Salt Lake City — Free

Provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families in the Salt Lake Valley from the downtown resource center. Fathers experiencing homelessness can walk into the shelter 24/7 for intake and bed assignment. Case management, employment support, and benefits enrollment are offered on-site. Bring photo ID if available; no documentation is required for emergency shelter admission.

801-359-4142 · 210 S Rio Grande St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 · 24/7 shelter · Visit Website

9. Catholic Community Services – Housing — Free

Provides emergency rent and utility assistance, food pantry, refugee resettlement, and shelter referrals from the Salt Lake City office at 745 East 300 South. Fathers in a financial crisis can call weekdays to screen and schedule an appointment. Services are free; assistance is one-time and subject to available funds. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of income, and a current lease or shutoff notice.

801-977-9119 · 745 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

10. St. George Housing Authority — Free

Administers public housing units and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income residents of St. George and surrounding Washington County. Fathers can call weekdays or visit the North 1725 West office to ask about current waiting list openings and application procedures. Eligibility is based on income and household composition. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards and birth certificates for all household members, and income documentation.

435-628-3648 · 975 N 1725 W, St. George, UT 84770 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Logan Housing Authority — Free

Administers affordable housing programs and Section 8 vouchers for low-income Cache County residents from the Logan office on North 100 West. Fathers can call weekdays or walk in to ask about current waiting list status and application procedures. Eligibility is based on income and family size. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards and birth certificates for all household members, and income documentation when applying for a voucher or unit.

435-752-6985 · 150 N 100 W, Logan, UT 84321 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

12. Davis Community Housing Authority — Free

Operates Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and public housing programs for low-income Davis County families from the Layton office on South Wasatch Drive. Fathers can call weekdays or walk in to ask about waiting list openings, preferences, and the application process. Eligibility is income-based. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards and birth certificates for every household member, and documentation of all current household income when applying.

801-546-0569 · 450 S Wasatch Dr, Layton, UT 84041 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Weber County Housing Authority — Free

Provides affordable housing units, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and rental assistance for low-income Weber County residents from the Ogden office on Adams Avenue. Fathers can call weekdays or walk in to ask about current waiting list openings and application procedures. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards and birth certificates for all household members, and income documentation.

801-399-8630 · 2324 Adams Ave, Ogden, UT 84401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

14. AAA Fair Credit Foundation – Utah — Free

Nonprofit providing free financial counseling, debt management plans, housing and pre-purchase education, and bankruptcy counseling to Utahns from the Salt Lake City office. Fathers can call weekdays to schedule a free one-hour session in person, by phone, or online. Counselors are HUD-approved for housing matters. Bring a list of debts, recent pay stubs, bank statements, and any collection letters or court papers to the session.

801-984-4357 · Salt Lake City, UT · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Visit Website

15. Switchpoint Community Resource Center – St. George — Free

Operates a 24/7 shelter, meals, case management, job training, and housing assistance for homeless and at-risk residents of Washington County and southern Utah from the North 1300 West campus. Fathers experiencing homelessness can walk in for intake at any hour. Case managers help with benefits enrollment and housing placement. Bring photo ID and any benefits paperwork if available; none is required for emergency shelter admission.

435-628-9310 · 948 N 1300 W, St. George, UT 84770 · 24/7 shelter · Visit Website

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.