Rent and utility assistance for short-term financial emergencies is available in-person for low-income Mecklenburg County residents at 500-A Spratt St, Monday - Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Please review the list of documents you will need to bring to apply. You must live in Mecklenburg County to apply.
Low income residents of Mecklenburg County may be eligible for short-term assistance here.
You will need to provide legible copies of the following along with your application:
Please print or copy documents that show complete name, mailing address, dates, and amounts. We cannot guarantee the return of original documents. Any missing items will require follow-up before your request can be considered.
Financial Assistance applications are accepted beginning at 10:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.
You will be asked to complete an application and consent form and provide the supporting documents listed above.
When you submit your application, you will be asked to wait for a staff member to review your application with you, verify documentation, and enter your details into our database.
On some days, more people may be seeking assistance than can be served that day. Depending on the urgency of your situation, you may be asked to return on a different day.
Once your application is complete and entered into our system, you are free to return to work or home and await a follow-up call from a caseworker to assess your situation and determine if you qualify for assistance. In some cases, other resources in the community may be most helpful. Our staff is trained to help steer you in the right direction based on your individual needs.
Caseworkers will follow up by phone, beginning with the most urgent requests, to discuss your situation and determine your eligibility for assistance. Depending on the nature of your emergency, it may be a week before you get a call. The most urgent needs are those who have already had their utilities disconnected or are already locked out of their home following an eviction order.
While you are waiting, explore every resource available to you to address your financial need. During your phone assessment, you will be asked what amount you can contribute, in addition to any financial assistance that is approved, toward your past due balance. Still, there is no guarantee you will receive financial assistance. Typically, customers will be asked to provide some portion of a rent balance even if assistance is provided.
We prioritize cases to address the most immediate critical needs first, just like an emergency room. But you won’t have to sit in our waiting room until you meet with a caseworker to assess your needs. You can read about this process here.
Our goal is to address people at imminent risk of eviction or disconnection first, and so on.
Our caseworkers are trained to understand many different challenges and to help you stay housed, keep your utilities on, and plan to avoid a future financial crisis. You and your caseworker may discuss different options that could help you after your assessment interview.
If assistance is awarded, a check is issued directly to your utility vendor, landlord, or clerk of court.
If you are in need of emergency rent or utility assistance and are unable to apply in person, please contact our Financial Assistance team between 10 am and 4 pm by calling 704.371.3001, option 0, to discuss an online option.