Churches That Help with Rent Springfield, MO

For those unable to pay their rent or at risk of homelessness in Springfield, several churches in Springfield, MO, offer emergency rental assistance to low-income families, seniors, and single parents. These programs often cover back rent, security deposits, or support for temporary housing, thereby helping to prevent eviction and homelessness.

The Salvation Army – Springfield Corps

The Salvation Army Springfield, MO Corps offers rental assistance to residents of Greene and Christian counties through its Emergency Social Services program.

To inquire about fund availability, you must call their office on the first business day of the month.

Phone Number: Call 417-862-5509 and dial extension 108.

Voicemail Process: You must leave a voicemail message starting at 8:30 a.m. In your message, clearly state the following:

• Your full name and phone number
• Your city and county of residence
• Your specific interest in receiving rental assistance.

Eligibility and Requirements

Income Limit: Generally, applicants must have a gross household income equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Documentation: You must present the following at your intake appointment:

• A valid photo ID for the head of household.
• Proof of recent residency: A piece of mail addressed to you with a postmark dated no earlier than the last 30 days.

If the application is approved, funds are never given directly to the applicant; checks are mailed directly to the landlord or service provider.

Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri (CCSOMO)

Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri (CCSOMO) offers rental and mortgage assistance to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

The process begins with an initial assessment to determine your eligibility based on the funding sources available at that time.

Call the Springfield office at 417-720-4213. A staff member will then complete an assessment form with you over the phone.

For residents of Greene County, CCSOMO often requires a referral from a “Coordinated Entry” agency. You may be referred to One Door (O’Reilly Center for Hope) to obtain this specific referral before your application can proceed.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies depending on the funding source (such as federal grants), but general requirements typically include:

• Imminent Risk: You must be at risk of losing your residence within 14 days.
• Income Limits: For some programs, household income must be below 30% or 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• Homeless Status: Assistance is also available for individuals who lack a fixed, regular nighttime residence (e.g., those living in a shelter or a place not intended for human habitation).

Address: 424 E Monastery St, Springfield, MO 65807

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Council of Churches of the Ozarks (Crosslines)

The Council of Churches of the Ozarks (CCO)—specifically through its community outreach program, Crosslines—primarily provides emergency food, hygiene items, and clothing, rather than making direct, ongoing rent payments. However, the Council serves as a crucial entry point for crisis assistance and can refer you to specific housing funds that they administer or with which they collaborate.

While Crosslines is best known as a food pantry, the Council of Churches offers specialized services related to housing:

• Housing Stabilization Referrals: They assist neighbors in finding available services in cases where the Council does not offer them directly.
• Safe to Sleep: A program specifically for women that offers emergency overnight shelter. Direct Inquiries: You may call the Council’s main line to find out if they have any active emergency financial assistance grants available for the current month.

Phone: Call 417-862-3586.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Address: 3055 E. Division St., Springfield, MO 65802.

You can consult their Emergency Resource Guide to view a list of all local partners with whom they collaborate to provide assistance with rent and utilities.

Pathway of Hope

For families with children seeking long-term stability—rather than just one-time emergency aid—the Springfield Corps offers the “Pathway of Hope” initiative. This program provides personalized case management to help break the cycle of poverty and has no income requirements for enrollment.

James River Church

James River Church offers emergency financial and housing assistance through its Community Care and Benevolence Ministry. These programs are designed to assist families and individuals in the Springfield metropolitan area who are facing unexpected financial hardships, including needs related to rent and utilities. The church specifically highlights its support for families, single mothers, widows, and spouses of deployed military personnel.

James River Church utilizes a formal intake process for all assistance requests. You may initiate the process using one of the following methods:

• Online Application: Complete the Benevolence Ministry Application Form to describe your situation. You will be asked to specify whether you require assistance with “Utilities and Rent” and whether you have received support from any church within the past six months.
• Telephone Inquiry: For urgent matters, call the church’s main office at 417-581-5433. Staff members there can connect you with a staff member or a volunteer from the assistance team.
• Pastor on call: A pastor is typically available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to respond to crisis situations.

Eligibility

Although not explicitly listed on the main application form, typical church benevolence programs in Springfield often require a current lease agreement and a late payment or eviction notice.

Help Give Hope

Help Give Hope is a local Springfield non-profit organization that specifically assists families with children who are experiencing a temporary financial crisis. Unlike some larger agencies, they focus on providing “one-time” assistance to help the family recover and get back on their feet. They offer a variety of support services tailored to the family’s specific needs:

• Housing and Utilities: Assistance with rent payments or utility bills to prevent eviction.
• Transportation: Assistance with car repairs or tires to ensure parents can get to work. Essential Items: Support with clothing, furniture, and seasonal needs (such as Christmas assistance).

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for assistance from Help Give Hope, you must generally meet the following criteria:

• Residency: You must reside in the Ozarks/Springfield area.
• Family Situation: You must have minor children living in your household.
• Current Crisis: You must be experiencing a specific, documented financial hardship (e.g., job loss, medical emergency).
• Sustainability: They seek situations where their one-time assistance will genuinely resolve the crisis in the long term.

Since Help Give Hope is a smaller, donor-funded organization, they have a specific process:

Online Application: The primary way to request assistance is by completing their online application form.

Telephone Inquiry: You can call their office at 417-209-7027.

OACAC (Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation)

OACAC provides rental assistance to low-income residents in Springfield and the surrounding 10-county area through its Housing Assistance Program and Family Services. Their rental assistance includes:

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): This is their primary long-term program. It provides vouchers to help very low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities afford decent, safe housing in the private market.

Note: The waiting list for this program opens and closes frequently. You should check their official website for the current status.

Emergency Rental Assistance: Through their Family Services centers, they may offer one-time emergency payments to prevent eviction, depending on the grant funds available at the time (such as CSBG funds).

You must contact the specific office for your county to inquire about currently available funds and to start an application.

Greene County Center:

Call 417-862-4314.
Address: 215 S Barnes Ave, Springfield, MO 65802.

Central Office (Housing Vouchers)

Call 417-862-2125 or visit their main headquarters at 215 S. Barnes Ave.

Eligibility Requirements

Income: Generally, household income must be at or below a range of 125% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, depending on the specific grant. Documentation: Be prepared to provide:

• Proof of all household income for the last 30 days.
• Social Security cards for all household members.
• A current lease agreement and an eviction notice or a “pay or quit” notice issued by your landlord.

One Door (O’Reilly Center for Hope)

One Door, located within the O’Reilly Center for Hope, serves as the central “gateway” for anyone experiencing a housing crisis in Springfield. Rather than handing you a check directly, they act as the Coordinated Entry point that assesses your case and refers you to the appropriate agency (such as Catholic Charities or OACAC) that has available funds at that time.

• You will need to complete a “VI-SPDAT” assessment, which is a standardized tool used to determine your level of housing vulnerability.
• Based on your score and your specific situation (e.g., veteran status, family with children, disability), you will be referred to the specific program that is currently accepting applications.

To expedite the process, please bring a photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, and your eviction notice or lease agreement.

The Crossing Springfield

The Crossing Springfield does not have a formal, public-facing rental assistance program that provides direct cash payments to the community. Instead, their local outreach efforts focus on offering information, essential resources, and specialized housing options for specific populations.

While they may not pay your rent directly, they offer the following support through their community resources and social outreach initiatives:

• Resource Guidance: The church maintains a list of local government agencies and non-profit organizations (such as OACAC and the Salvation Army) and can help guide you toward programs that currently have active funding available.
• Reintegration Housing: They manage a Reintegration Program designed specifically for men who have been released from prison or who are in the process of recovering from an addiction and require a stable living environment.

Address: 5105 North Farm Road 169, Springfield, MO 65803
Phone: 417-833-2748

Risks & Things to Consider

Limited Funding: Churches often rely on donations, so funds can run out quickly.

One-Time Assistance: Many programs are designed for emergency situations, not to cover rent on an ongoing basis.

Scams: Always verify assistance through official church offices or trusted organizations, such as United Way.

Summary

If you are facing eviction or struggling to pay rent in Springfield, MO, start by contacting The Crossing Springfield, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, or Victory Mission. For broader support, dial 211 to connect with the United Way referral system. Acting quickly is essential, as funds are limited and demand is high.