Churches That Help with Rent in Nassau County New York

If you are experiencing financial hardship or facing potential eviction in Nassau County, New York, there are several church-affiliated organizations and religious charities that offer emergency rental assistance and housing support. Since funds at local parishes vary, these organizations typically require an appointment and proof of residency or income to qualify for aid.

The Salvation Army – Hempstead Citadel Corps

The Salvation Army’s Hempstead Citadel Corps provides emergency financial resources—including assistance with rent, mortgages, and utilities—to help Nassau County residents avoid housing instability and eviction.

Because local funds fluctuate and rely heavily on seasonal donations and regional grants, financial aid is allocated on a case-by-case basis through a formal intake and case management process.

Major components of housing and rental assistance

Eviction prevention grants: Short-term, direct financial aid may be awarded—paid directly to the landlord or property management company—to cover past-due rent. This assistance is reserved for households facing an unforeseen emergency or a temporary loss of income.

Utility assistance and shut-off prevention: Housing stability depends on maintaining electricity and heating services. The Hempstead Citadel center coordinates utility assistance alongside rental aid to prevent service disconnections.

Comprehensive case management: If you qualify for rental assistance, a case manager will work with you to review your household budget and connect you with other complementary local services, such as the organization’s food pantry or holiday assistance programs.

How to Apply for Assistance and General Requirements

To access these programs at the Hempstead Citadel Corps (65 Atlantic Ave, Hempstead, NY 11550), you must complete an application and provide supporting documentation:

Call to schedule an intake appointment: Contact the Social Services department directly at +1 516-485-4900. It is recommended to call first thing in the morning, when daily appointment slots open up.

Zip code verification: You can also use The Salvation Army’s national SAHelp portal to start a confidential online application by entering your specific Nassau County zip code.

Required documentation: When the caseworker contacts you, be prepared to provide:

• An official government-issued photo ID.
• Proof of residence within their service area (such as a utility bill or lease agreement).
• Proof of household income or documentation showing a sudden loss of income (layoff notice, medical bills).
• A formal copy of your lease agreement and a written eviction notice or a demand for rent payment from your landlord.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island (SVDPLI) offers emergency financial assistance to help low-income families and individuals in Nassau and Suffolk counties pay rent, mortgages, or utility bills in order to prevent homelessness.

As the organization is a Catholic lay ministry driven by over 1,200 local “Vincentian” volunteers, its assistance is highly personalized and decentralized. Rather than managing a massive government rental program with static waiting lists, aid is distributed directly through local parish conferences linked to neighborhood churches.

The core process: The home visit

The distinctive element of the St. Vincent de Paul service model is the home visit.

Once you submit an initial request for rental assistance, two trained volunteers from the local church will coordinate and conduct a private, in-person visit to your home.

During this visit, they will meet with you to discuss your current financial crisis, understand your household budget, and assess the amount of financial assistance they can offer.

If your case is approved, the conference will provide direct financial aid; typically, a check is issued directly to the landlord or property management company to settle overdue rent or cover a security deposit.

How to Apply for Rental Assistance on Long Island

You can apply for assistance from SVDPLI through two main channels:

Online application form: You can complete the secure St. Vincent de Paul of Long Island assistance application form online. You will be asked to confirm which Long Island county you reside in (Nassau or Suffolk), specify your type of housing (apartment or private home), indicate whether you receive public assistance, and describe your immediate financial crisis.

Request by phone: You can contact the SVDPLI central office directly at +1 516-822-3132 to be referred to the local volunteer group (conference) serving your zip code.

Requirements and necessary documentation

Since each local parish group relies entirely on its own donations and parish funds, exact criteria and assistance limits vary by neighborhood. Generally, priority is given to eviction prevention through one-time emergency aid for individuals facing sudden job loss, medical emergencies, or imminent eviction. When volunteers schedule your home visit, ensure you have the following ready:

• Your formal lease agreement.
• A written payment record or an official eviction notice/demand for payment from your landlord stating the exact amount of accumulated rent arrears.
• Proof of regular household income or evidence of your recent financial hardship.

Catholic Charities of Long Island

Catholic Charities of Long Island (CCLI) offers emergency assistance for rent payments and accumulated rent arrears, primarily through its Emergency Relief Fund (ERF). Managed by the Department of Parish Social Ministry, this program is designed for Long Island residents experiencing a sudden financial crisis, such as temporary job loss, sudden illness, or an unexpected household expense.

Because funds are limited and depend on seasonal or parish-driven donation campaigns, aid is distributed carefully to ensure a real impact on eviction prevention.

How emergency rent assistance works

Parish-level management: Although the ERF is administered centrally, access is obtained directly through local parish social ministry offices located at Catholic churches in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

“Last resort” strategy: The fund is structured strictly as an emergency intervention for individuals who have already exhausted all other assistance programs (such as DSS one-time emergency payments—or “One-Shot Deals”—or other county grants).

Direct payments: Approved aid funds are paid directly to the landlord or property management company to settle rental arrears and stabilize the household’s situation. The assistance is strictly interfaith and open to all residents, regardless of religious beliefs.

Step-by-step intake and application process

To determine if you qualify for emergency rental assistance, follow these steps:

Documentation proving that you have applied for assistance from the Nassau County Department of Social Services (DSS) and that the application was denied or is pending a decision. Complete the assessment: Fill out CCLI’s confidential online self-assessment tool to describe your housing emergency, or email the details of your situation directly to CCLIHelps@catholiccharities.cc.

Phone contact: Call the central intake helpline at +1 888-744-7900 or contact the main service center in Hicksville at +1 516-733-7000 to speak with a case manager or be referred to your local Parish Social Ministry office.

Document preparation: You will need to undergo a detailed intake process to verify your crisis situation. You will need to provide:

• Proof of past or current rent payments (lease agreement).
• A formal written eviction notice, a demand letter from the landlord, or a court document detailing the exact amount of outstanding debt.
• Proof of household income along with evidence of the crisis that caused the lack of funds (such as medical bills or layoff notices).

Additional housing assistance from non-profit organizations

New Ground

New Ground does not operate a traditional “one-time payment” emergency fund to settle immediate rent arrears or halt imminent evictions. Instead, they focus on long-term self-sufficiency by offering affordable, subsidized rental housing programs combined with mandatory, intensive social work services.

Their programs are specifically designed to help homeless families—or those at risk of homelessness—as well as Long Island military veterans, break the cycle of poverty for good.

Key housing and rental assistance programs

Long-Term Housing Program (LTHP): New Ground owns and manages subsidized housing units across Long Island. Eligible families move into these homes and pay significantly reduced rent, calculated based on their income. In return, families commit to participating in a 3-to-5-year program, working weekly with an assigned social worker to improve their credit history, pay off debt, advance their careers, and save for future independent housing.

JumpStart Program (JSP): This initiative supports families currently experiencing homelessness—meaning those living in temporary shelters, motels, or doubled-up with others. A New Ground social worker provides intensive career guidance, financial literacy training, and direct housing search assistance to facilitate the family’s transition to a stable, permanent home.

How to Get Started and Apply

As New Ground is a long-term development program, they do not accept walk-ins for quick assessments. Direct Contact: You can reach their main service office in Levittown, NY, by calling +1 516-564-4764 or emailing info@newground.org to request an initial assessment.

Referrals: Many participants enter the program through direct referrals from the Nassau County Department of Social Services (DSS), local school districts, or community shelters.

Check Criteria: You can review their program structure on the New Ground “Get Help” portal.

Government and County Crisis Resources

If church resources are temporarily exhausted, you should immediately contact the county’s public assistance network:

Nassau County Department of Social Services (DSS): You can apply for emergency housing or an emergency assistance grant known as a “One-Shot Deal” to cover immediate rent arrears by contacting the main DSS office at 516-227-8519.

Homeless Intervention Program (HIP): You can contact them directly at 516-571-0370 for urgent eviction prevention services.