Churches That Help with Rent in Akron, Ohio

Several churches and faith-based organizations in Akron, Ohio, provide emergency rental assistance, including Catholic Charities of Summit County, The Salvation Army of Akron, the United Methodist Church of Akron, Family of Faith United Methodist Church, Open M Ministries, and Haven of Rest Ministries. These groups offer financial aid, eviction prevention, and support services for families in crisis.

St Paul Catholic Church

St. Paul Catholic Church in Akron, Ohio, offers emergency rental and mortgage assistance to families facing eviction and housing crises. Its financial aid program is administered directly through the parish’s local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul—an international faith-based network dedicated to providing emergency relief at the local level.

How Assistance Works

Geographic Limits: Like all local chapters of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul within the Diocese of Cleveland, St. Paul Parish prioritizes and limits its direct financial resources to residents living within the specific neighborhood boundaries surrounding the church in South Akron.

Home Visits: Once you contact them, volunteer members of the parish conference will schedule an interview or a home visit to review your financial situation, verify the nature of your emergency, and determine the amount of assistance that can be provided.

Direct Payments to Landlords: To ensure transparency and legally resolve the housing emergency, any approved rental assistance funds are paid directly to your landlord or property management company, rather than being given as cash to the tenant.

Required Documentation

When volunteers process your application, you must have specific documents ready to demonstrate your eligibility:

• A current, signed copy of your lease or rental agreement.
• An official eviction notice, a record of overdue rent, or a written “Notice to Vacate” from your landlord.
• Photo identification for the primary applicant.
• Proof of total household income (such as recent pay stubs, SSI documentation, or public assistance letters).

If the parish’s local funding pool is exhausted at that time, or if you reside outside its geographic boundaries, they may refer you to the central Emergency Financial Assistance database of Catholic Charities to check for available funds citywide.

Contact the main office of St. Paul Catholic Church at 330-724-1263.

St. Sebastian Parish Conference

The St. Sebastian Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers emergency assistance for rent and utility payments to families and individuals facing immediate financial hardship. Operating out of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, located in West Akron, this ministry explicitly prioritizes individuals residing within the parish’s geographic boundaries.

How the Assistance Process Works

Initial Inquiry: Neighbors seeking rent assistance must first contact the main rectory office. Staff members will direct your request directly to the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul case intake system.

Mandatory Interview: Assigned lay volunteers from the St. Sebastian Conference of SVdP will contact you to conduct an interview and assess your crisis situation.

Local Resource Verification: Your application and geographic location are cross-referenced against a permanent regional database—linked with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Diocese of Cleveland—to confirm your eligibility.

Direct Payments: If the application is approved, payments for rent or utilities are sent directly to the landlord or service provider. No cash or direct checks are issued to applicants.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Requesting Help

Call the Rectory: Dial the St. Sebastian parish office at 330-836-2233.

Request SVdP Assistance: Clearly state that you reside in the neighborhood and require emergency financial assistance for rent.

Provide Accurate Information: Leave your full legal name, current physical address, phone number, and a clear explanation of your housing emergency.

Await Coordination by Local Volunteers: The committee meets weekly—on Thursday afternoons—to process applicant inquiries and assign cases. Please anticipate a brief delay, as volunteers address requests in the order in which they are received.

St. Francis de Sales Parish

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) at St. Francis de Sales Parish offers emergency assistance for rent and utility payments to families facing eviction or severe financial hardship. Operating out of the South Akron / Portage Lakes neighborhood, this local ministry utilizes funds allocated by the parish to help struggling community members maintain stable housing.

How the Assistance Program Works

Ministry Hotline: The parish maintains a dedicated, confidential SVdP helpline that operates completely independently of the main church office.

Geographic Boundaries: Assistance is strictly limited to neighbors residing within the specific geographic boundaries of the parish or in nearby South Akron zip codes.

Volunteer Intake: Parish volunteers review incoming messages, conduct a compassionate intake phone call or a home interview, and verify the existing housing crisis.

Payment Commitments to Landlords: If your case is approved, the ministry sends financial commitments and payments directly to the property owner or landlord. No cash or direct checks are issued to the tenant.

Call the St. Francis de Sales SVDP Ministry line directly at 330-958-5270. You will be required to provide physical proof of your housing situation, including your signed lease agreement, an official eviction notice, and verification of household income.

Nativity of The Lord Jesus Catholic Church

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) at Nativity of The Lord Jesus Catholic Church offers emergency assistance for rent and utilities to families facing severe financial hardship. Operating from southeast Akron, near Springfield Township, this local parish ministry provides one-time crisis intervention, specifically for individuals residing within the parish boundaries of its region.

How the Assistance Program Works

Geographic Boundary Restrictions: Financial aid is restricted entirely to neighbors residing within the geographic boundaries of Nativity of The Lord Jesus Parish.

Intake at the Parish Office: Unlike some conferences that utilize external phone lines, all requests for assistance must be processed directly through the parish’s main office staff to maintain strict confidentiality.

Home Visits: Assigned SVDP volunteers conduct a direct visit or home interview to assess your crisis, review household expenses, and confirm your level of need.

Direct Payments to Providers: Approved funds are never given directly to applicants; checks are mailed directly to landlords, leasing offices, or utility companies. Step-by-Step Instructions for Requesting Assistance

Contact the Office: Call the main church office at 330-699-5086 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

Request a Referral to SVDP: Clearly state that you require emergency assistance with rent or utility payments, and request a confidential referral to the Nativity SVDP Conference.

Provide Your Household Details: Provide your full name, a clear phone number, your exact address (to confirm your location within parish boundaries), and the total amount owed to your landlord for overdue payments.

Complete the Assessment Forms: When a volunteer returns your call, be prepared to complete the initial assessment and sign a formal information release form.

Catholic Charities Summit County

Catholic Charities of Summit County offers emergency rental assistance and eviction prevention services to families facing severe financial crises in the Akron area. Operating under the Diocese of Cleveland, its Emergency Financial Assistance Program provides one-time financial grants—paid directly to landlords—to help maintain housing stability for low-income households.

Rental assistance scheduling and program screening processes are centralized. You must call the main Basic Needs Portal at 330-475-0091. Phone lines are open strictly on Monday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Funds are extremely limited and are distributed weekly on a first-come, first-served basis.

Direct case management and emergency aid services are provided at the Catholic Charities Family & Community Outreach Center, which shares space with Blessed Trinity Parish.

Address: 300 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron, OH 44310 |

Direct Outreach Office Phone: 330-724-9059

Eligibility and Program Requirements

To secure a commitment for emergency rental payment, applicants must meet specific state-level income guidelines and be experiencing an unexpected hardship (e.g., a medical emergency or job loss). You will be asked to present the following during your intake appointment:

• A current, legally binding lease agreement detailing monthly rental obligations.
• An official eviction notice or a “Notice to Leave Premises” issued by your landlord.
• Valid, government-issued photo identification for all adult members of the household.
• Verifiable proof of all household income for the past 30 days.

The Salvation Army Summit County

The Salvation Army of Summit County offers emergency rental assistance and eviction prevention services, alongside its utility crisis assistance programs. Operating primarily from its headquarters (the “Citadel”) in Akron, this faith-based charitable organization assists low-income individuals and families in stabilizing their housing situation during unexpected financial crises.

How the Program Works

Central Intake Line: To secure an appointment for assistance with basic needs or emergency housing aid, you must call the dedicated intake line at 330-762-8481.

Strict Booking Window: Intake lines open strictly on Monday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Available appointment slots are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and fill up almost instantly.

Funding Changes: Emergency rent funds are allocated based on active grant distributions. If local funds are depleted at the Akron Citadel office, social workers provide direct referrals through their network to partner service centers in Barberton or Hudson City.

Commitments to Landlords: Approved emergency funds are distributed directly to the property owner or management company in order to secure the tenant’s housing situation.

Requirements and Qualifications

To qualify for emergency rental assistance offered by The Salvation Army Summit County Area Services, applicants must meet specific criteria:

Residency: You must be a legal resident of Summit County, Ohio.

Income Limits: Total household income must generally be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Emergency Crisis: You must provide verifiable proof of an unexpected financial emergency (e.g., job loss, medical expenses).

Document Checklist: Bring a current photo ID, your legal lease agreement, an official eviction notice or rent delinquency statement, and proof of income for all adult household members covering the last 30 days.

Important Requirements for Rental Assistance

To qualify for church-based rental assistance in Akron, you will generally need to provide:

• A valid photo ID issued by the State of Ohio.
• A current, signed, written lease or rental agreement.
• An official eviction notice, a rent delinquency letter, or a notice to vacate the premises, issued by your landlord.
• Proof of household income or documentation of a recent financial emergency (such as job loss or a medical bill).