Your local SVDP is a part of your local Catholic church.  Volunteers from the parish answer calls from neighbors just like you.  A caring volunteer (called a Vincentian) will setup a time with you to listen to your needs, help you understand your options, help financially (as funds are available) or with food, clothing, household goods, or furniture, and pray with you.  

Benefits

• Transportation to meeting with your Vincentian neighbor is unnecessary as usually they visit with you in the comfort of your own home

• A neighbor will offer a listening ear and work with you directly

• Flexible options for assistance

• Fairly quick turnaround compared to other organizations

• No applications to complete to receive assistance

• Referrals to other places that can also help

Limitations

• Each SVDP conference is unique in what they are able to offer. 

• Limited by the number of volunteers and the amount of funds they have at any one time

• Depending on circumstances, it may take a long time to return your call

• Conferences sometimes temporarily pause taking any calls (there will be a notice on their voicemail)

• Depending on circumstances, they may not be able to help financially

• Some conferences require an eviction notice or a utility disconnect notice in order to provide financial assistance

Click Here to Find Your Local SVDP  (Google Map of all of the SVDPs in our area)

• Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper left corner of the screen

• Type your address into the white search box

• Click “Move map to” to show your home on the map

• Zoom out until you see the blue boundary box around your home

• Click on the blue teardrop icon in the boundary box around your home to get a phone number for your local SVDP conference

The local Salvation Army at Center Hill helps with rent assistance if funding is available.  They serve residents of these zipcodes: 45215, 45216, 45217, 45218, 45223, 45224, 45231, 45232, 45239, 45240, 45241, 45246, 45251. Read More >

Assistance Office Open: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:00-3:00 (Closed 12-1:00)

6381 Center Hill Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224

(513) 242-9100

The Apartment Association Outreach partners with Freestore Foodbank and a few others that don't apply to people living in our assistance area to grant financial assistance to people who can't pay their rent "due to a personal emergency or conflict beyond their control".  The money is paid directly to the landlord and doesn't cover deposit or 1st month's rent. You can only request the assistance once ever and your landlord needs to fill out a part of the application.

This program grants money towards rental assistance, paid directly to the landlord, on a one-time basis. The purpose of this program is to provide emergency assistance to an individual or family to avoid eviction.

Our application process includes different applications for each partner. First, select a partner. Then, download and fill out the corresponding partner form. Next, present it to your leasing office. Last, submit, fax, or email to one of our partners, along with all required documentation. 

Hamilton County Job & Family Services

If you have been laid off or lost income due to Covid-19, you could get help paying up to 15 mos of rent and 12 mos of utilities with HCJFS Rent & Utility Relief Program.  This program is temporary and dependent on available funds from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance program, which makes funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utilities. 

You need to submit a full application with all of the necessary documentation before they'll approve the funding.  If you apply for rent assistance, your landlord must be a registered vendor and, if they aren't a vendor already, you'll have to ask your landlord to register. https://www.hcjfs.org/services/workforce-development/vendor-registration/

Apply:

• • Program Details (who can apply, documentation required, etc): https://513relief.org/housing-utility-relief/

  • Apply Online

  • Don't have internet or access to a laptop/tablet/smartphone to apply online? The United Way Care Coordination team can help. Call 211 and request to speak to a Care Coordinator or text 211CARES to 51555

  • Over the age of 60 and need help applying? The United Way Care Coordination team can help. Call 211 and request to speak to a Care Coordinator or text 211CARES to 51555

Want to know the status of your Hamilton County Rent & Utility Relief program application? Call the @513Relief team at 513-946-1000 (option 1)

Home Ownership Center of Greater Cincinnati

If you have rent payments that are past due because your income was negatively impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible for financial assistance.  You may have lost income due to illness in your family, lost pay due to struggles for your employer related to COVID-19, or you may have been unemployed due to COVID-19 related struggles. http://hometoday.cc/rent-due/

Apply:

• • Apply Online

  • Call (513) 961-2800

Offers a holistic approach to wellness by placing care management, emergency financial assistance, supportive counseling, a food pantry, health classes, and therapeutic socialization activities all under one roof. Serves the Greater Cincinnati Jewish community, as well neighbors from the Clifton area.

https://www.jfscinti.org/services/mental-health-wellness/vital-support-center/

Barbash Family Vital Support Center, 3113 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220 (on the campus of Hebrew Union College)

Call: 513-469-1188

A program Hamilton County Job and Family Services designed to help families overcome immediate employment-related barriers in order to help families achieve or maintain self-sufficiency. Rent/Deposit assistance can be provided in association with a partner referral and active case management. Additional assistance is available depending on the needs of each applicant (utility assistance, uniforms, work transportation, support for pregnant/new moms, and more).

Eligibility Requirements

1. Hamilton County resident

2. Must be at least 18 years old

3. Must have at least 1 dependent (minor child)

4. Must meet income requirements of 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines

5. Must be gainfully employed or have an employment offer that can be secured with PRC assistance, or proof of sustainable income

6. Must get an organization to refer you to the PRC program

7. The referring organization must complete a vendor registration form from the landlord that payment is being issued to

8. Applicant must not have received PRC services in the last 12 months.

Apply for PRC

Details About Applying for PRC

Apply Online

Apply By Mail:

• Pick up an application at the OhioMeansJobs Center or Hamilton County Job and Family Services

Rental Equity

Rental Equity is a program of Renting Partnerships, a non-profit created to increase affordable housing, build positive rental communities, and help renters build wealth while they rent.

Rents are about $300-900 per month (as of 3/14/2023) and are stable as they are independent of the real estate market and managed by the non-profit. Units with 1-3 bedrooms are available, including apartments and duplexes. The program requires a long term lease (5+ years).

Financial credits are earned on a monthly basis through ensuring the criteria below. As of 3/14/2023 residents can earn $716 in year 1 up to $10,000 in year 10. Read more >

In return for stable, affordable housing and to gain equity credits, neighbors are asked to do 4 things:

1. 1. attend a monthly community meeting, 

   2. pay rent on time (in times of crisis they help you connect to resources), 

   3. fulfill work assignments (litter pickup, hall cleaning, mowing grass, etc), and

   4. respect house rules.

How to Become a Resident

One way is to become a resident in a Renting Partnership.  If nothing is available or nothing is available that meets your needs, you can also ask to be added to their list of people interested and provide us with information about the type of housing and rent you need.  Renting Partnerships will approach owners to provide or develop housing within our system. 

Contact Carol Smith at Renting Partnerships >

Speak to a trained professional who can connect you to essential community services — 24/7, 365 days a year. Translation services available.

Their certified information and referral specialists are trained to listen, engage, ask questions, assess your needs and connect you to a community resource from our large database of local providers in the tristate.

Search United Way's Database of Assistance Sources >

How to Contact Them

Dial 211 or 513-721-7900

Text "211CARES" to 51555

Online Request - https://www.uwgc.org/get-help/united-way-211/intake-form

What Can 211 Help With?

The 211 service can help you find and access a number of resources (kind of like a Google search specifically for finding assistance for your situation). Below are just a few of the things they can help you find:

BASIC NEEDS: Food, Clothing, Cleaning Supplies, Low-Income Help, Transportation, Community Meals, Fresh Food, Housing, Child Care, Baby Supplies (Food, Diapers, etc.)

HOUSING: Tenant Rights, Public Housing, Rent Assistance, Mortgage Help, Homelessness, Relocation, Section 8, Care Shelters (Abuse, Youth, Elderly, Homeless, Women, Families), Senior Housing, Housing Complaints, Emergency Assistance

UTILITIES: We can help if you're struggling to pay bills or deposits for Electric/Power, Gas, Heat, Sewer, Water, Telecommunications (including Internet Access) and more.

MENTAL SERVICES: Support Groups, Therapy Referrals, Care Providers, Family Counseling, Counseling Providers, Adult and Child Behavioral Health Programs and Support, Bereavement and Grief Support, Identifying Mental Health Support Providers, Psychiatric Support Services, Specialized Support Hotlines.

HEALTH CARE: Health Screenings, Diagnostic Services, Substance Abuse Services, Immunization, Disability Information, New Parent and Expectant Parent Servies, Vaccinations, Prescription Medication Discounts, and more.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: Job Training, Career Fairs, Continuing Education, Employment Agencies, General Employment Resources and Career Counseling Services.

When renting a new apartment or renewing a lease, renters in the City of Cincinnati (who are planning to rent from a landlord who owns and controls more than 25 rental units) have the right to use an alternatives to paying a traditional security deposit.  Landlords who own and control 25 rental units or less are not required to offer alternative options.

Prior to entering into a rental agreement, a landlord must provide you written notice of the available security deposit alternatives. 

1. Payment of a Reduced Security Deposit

   • Which must be no more than 50% of the monthly rental rate charged for the subject rental unit.

2. Payment of the Security Deposit in Monthly Installments

   • Monthly installments must be stretched over at least 6 months

   • Installments must be due on the same day as the monthly rent payment and can be paid together in a single transaction

3. Rental Security Deposit "Insurance"/Surety Bonds

   • • The insurance provider must be an approved carrier licensed by, and in good standing with, the Ohio Department of Insurance,

• The coverage must be effective upon the payment of the first premium and remain effective for the entire lease term,

3. • And, the coverage provided per claim must be no less than the amount the landlord requires for security deposits. 

   • * Please read "Using Security Deposit "Insurance"/Surety Bonds as Your Chosen Alternative" below before deciding *

Source: https://www.cincinnatireia.com/Misc/MemberFiles/Renters_Choice.pdf

• There are no penalties under the law for non-compliant landlords.

• You could "bring an action for injunctive relief or sue the landlord for damages,"

  • • But you might not be considered a tenant if you have not lived in that unit, meaning your case might not go through.

    • And, it is unclear what damages you would "be able to establish", so damages are going to be hard to prove and uncertain.

Source: KMK Law. "Issues for Residential Landlords Attempting to Navigate Cincinnati's New Security Deposit Legislation." KMK Real Estate Law Blog, 2.28.2020

About Security Deposit "Insurance"/Surety Bonds

Security deposit "insurance" isn't actually insurance, but a surety bond. Instead of a traditional lump sum upfront, you sign-up for a surety bond from a provider, which then satisfies your security deposit qualification with your landlord. Then, depending on which bond provider you chose, you'll pay the bond provider either a one-time fee or a monthly premium. When you inquire with a security deposit "insurance" provider, you'll receive what your monthly premium would be. Then you can decide whether or not to use the security deposit "insurance" in lieu of a traditional full-sum security deposit.

Pros

• • You do not need to pay a lump sum upfront for a security deposit.

  • In the City of Cincinnati, the rental security insurance coverage per claim must be the exact amount that the landlord would otherwise require for a cash security deposit. Outside of the City of Cincinnati, you will have to check with your municipality to inquire if they have a similar regulation

  • The approval process to be approved by a provider to use their security deposit "insurance" services is quick and often same-day.

    • If when you move out the landlord submits a damage claim to your provider and the damage was a result of general wear and tear, the security deposit "insurance" provider will pay the bill.

Cons

• • Your income, credit history, college education, employment status, and credit score impact your payments.

    • With some providers, you could unknowingly sign up for a liability that is more expensive than what you would ever pay for a traditional cash deposit as the payments continue without termination until you move out or cancel the policy.

  • You will not get your premium back after you move out, even if you leave the unit in good condition, like you would with a traditional cash security deposit.

  • If damage to your apartment was a result of negligence on your part, you will have to pay for the claim submitted by your landlord and the payments you have made to the provider will not cover it.

    • • • Not paying for the claim total will damage your credit and make it difficult to find rental housing or security insurance in the future

    • It isn't subject to the same laws that govern cash deposits between landlord and tenant.

    • It's much more difficult to resolve damage disputes if improperly billed by your security deposit "insurance" provider because of false damage claims filed by your landlord for damages to the property. 

      • • It can be extremely difficult to dispute the claims through customer service and the providers tend to favor landlords.

        • The laws governing a security deposit do not apply to security deposit "insurance" because the provider is a private company and not your landlord, so disputes are handled differently.

        • The security deposit "insurance" provider can include an arbitration clause in your contract that would limit your ability to dispute your claim in court.

        • There could also be a clause that bars you from participating in a class action lawsuit against the security deposit "insurance" provider.

Sources: 

• • https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/security-deposit-alternatives/

  • https://shelterforce.org/2020/12/10/security-deposit-alternatives-the-misleading-marketing-of-renters-choice/

Security Deposit "Insurance"/Surety Bond Providers

Assurant >

Name of Product: SureDeposit

Cost: Prices vary according to the amount of protection you require as well as applicants' credit scores.

Payments: One-Time

Cancellation: No cancellation fee, Full refund if you never moved in or made other arrangements with the landlord, Landlord must initiate the cancellation in writing

Credit Check: Soft credit check, which does not impact your credit score and cannot be seen by lenders.

Better Business Bureau Listing > (BBB Accredited, A+ BBB Rating, 4.53/5 Customer Rating as of 1/25/2023)

Rhino >

Name of Product: SureDeposit

Cost: Prices vary according to renter’s income/credit history/college education, as well as the coverage amount set by the landlord.

Payments: Monthly premium that continues indefinitely throughout your tenancy, or until the policy is canceled.

Cancellation: No cancellation fee, Needs landlord approval, Full refund if you never moved in or made other arrangements with the landlord

Credit Check: Soft credit check, which does not impact your credit score and cannot be seen by lenders.

Better Business Bureau Listing > (BBB Accredited, B Rating,  2.35/5 Customer Rating as of 1/25/2023)

The Guarantors >

Name of Product: Deposit Coverage

Cost: Varies by state, but is usually between 6-33% of 1 month's rent (In the City of Cincinnati, the claim coverage must equal the same amount as the traditional security deposit)

Payments: One-time

Cancellation: $100 cancellation fee, Refund (equal to amount paid minus the cancellation fee) if you never moved in or made other arrangements with the landlord, Needs landlord's written consent

Credit Check: Soft credit check, which does not impact your credit score and cannot be seen by lenders.

Better Business Bureau Listing > (Not BBB Accredited, A Rating,  1/5 Customer Rating as of 1/25/2023)

Jetty >

Name of Product: Jetty Deposit

Cost: Prices vary according to the amount of protection you require as well as applicants' credit scores.

Payments: One-Time (recommended) or Monthly

Cancellation: No cancellation fee, Needs landlord approval, Full refund if you never moved in or made other arrangements with the landlord

Credit Check: Soft credit check, which does not impact your credit score and cannot be seen by lenders.

Better Business Bureau Listing > (Not BBB Accredited, A+ Rating,  1/5 Customer Rating as of 1/25/2023)