If you are behind on rent in Charlotte and facing eviction, help is available right now. Churches, faith-based nonprofits, and community organizations across Mecklenburg County provide emergency rental assistance — paying directly to your landlord to stop the eviction process before it goes to court.
Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southeast — and that growth has come with a housing affordability crisis that has pushed thousands of families to the edge of eviction. The good news is that Mecklenburg County has one of the strongest emergency rental assistance networks in the state, anchored by Crisis Assistance Ministry, which serves as the community’s central hub for emergency financial help.
You do not need to be religious to receive help from any organization on this list. You do not need to be a church member. You need a lease, a notice, and a phone call.
Charlotte Rent Help — Quick Answer
Call 211 (free, 24/7) for same-day referrals. Or contact these organizations directly:
| Organization | Phone | What They Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Crisis Assistance Ministry (CAM) | (704) 371-3001 | Rent, utilities, first portal for Mecklenburg County |
| Salvation Army Charlotte | (704) 348-2555 | Rent, utilities, food, case management |
| Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte | (704) 370-3262 | Rent referrals, food, case management |
| Good Fellows Club | (704) 333-5040 | Rent, utilities — 100% of donations to clients |
| Harvest Center | (704) 394-2043 | Rent, transitional housing, life skills |
| Charlotte Family Housing | (704) 334-4044 | Rent, family case management |
| NC 211 | Dial 211 | Live referrals to all programs |
Churches and Faith-Based Organizations That Help With Rent in Charlotte
1. Crisis Assistance Ministry (CAM)
Crisis Assistance Ministry is the single most important organization for emergency rent assistance in Mecklenburg County — and the starting point for anyone facing eviction in Charlotte. The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services contracts directly with CAM to serve as the community’s central location for distribution of local, state, and federal emergency funds.
In simple terms: CAM is the first portal of entry for financial services in Charlotte. Before calling any other organization, call Crisis Assistance Ministry.
Address: 500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206 Phone: (704) 371-3001 Website: crisisassistance.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–3 PM (call ahead — hours and intake procedures may vary)
Additional DSS Emergency Program Aid sites: Wallace H. Kuralt Centre: 301 Billingsley Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211 VCW Community Resource Center: 3205 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208
What they provide: Emergency rent and utility assistance through local, state, and federal funding. Case management and coaching for longer-term housing stability. Free Store (clothing and household goods). Food assistance. The Emergency Program Aid through DSS is offered by referral from churches and community agencies to eligible residents facing a shortage in food or financial crisis dealing with rent.
CAM’s mission is specifically to provide assistance and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency — so their model goes beyond the one-time payment to include financial coaching and community connection.
Membership requirement: None. Crisis Assistance Ministry serves all Mecklenburg County residents regardless of faith or background. Typical assistance: Emergency rent and utility payments based on assessed need and available funding. Direct payment to landlord.
2. Salvation Army — Charlotte Area Command
The Salvation Army Charlotte Area Command provides emergency rent assistance through its social services program — helping families and individuals in crisis with emergency funds to avoid homelessness.
Address: 4015 Stuart Andrew Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217 Phone: (704) 348-2555 Website: salvationarmycharlotte.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM
What they provide: Emergency rental and utility assistance, food assistance, clothing, and case management. The Salvation Army works with households experiencing temporary financial crises — job loss, medical emergency, unexpected expense — to prevent eviction before it occurs.
Membership requirement: None. Typical assistance: One to two months of past-due rent, paid directly to landlord. Amount subject to available funding and local HUD fair market rent limits.
3. Catholic Charities — Diocese of Charlotte
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charlotte explicitly directs residents needing rent or mortgage assistance to call NC 211 at 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162 — making 211 the official first step for housing help through Catholic Charities in Charlotte. Their Charlotte office then provides food pantry services, case management, immigration support, and other wraparound programs alongside housing navigation.
Charlotte Address: 1123 S. Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203 Phone: (704) 370-3262 (for food pantry — call at least 24 hours ahead for appointment) Website: ccdoc.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
What they provide: Rent referrals through NC 211 and CAM. Food pantry (Tuesdays 10 AM–Noon at Charlotte location — appointment required 24 hours in advance). Case management, immigration assistance, and financial support services.
Membership requirement: None. Catholic Charities serves all people regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, or economic/social background.
4. Good Fellows Club
Good Fellows Club is a Mecklenburg County-based emergency assistance organization with a notable commitment: 100% of donations are used to provide emergency financial assistance to families in need — with zero administrative overhead taken from donated funds.
Address: 1709 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28205 Phone: (704) 333-5040 Website: goodfellowsclub.org Hours: Tuesday and Thursday — call for current hours and appointment availability
What they provide: Emergency rent and utility bill assistance to residents of Mecklenburg County facing eviction or disconnection. Good Fellows focuses exclusively on financial crisis intervention — no administrative overhead, direct client assistance.
Membership requirement: None. Typical assistance: Emergency rent and utility payment to prevent eviction or disconnection. Amount based on available funding.
5. The Harvest Center
The Harvest Center provides housing assistance and transitional support for individuals and families facing homelessness in Charlotte — including emergency rental assistance, life skills training, and employment assistance.
Phone: (704) 394-2043 Website: harvesthope.net Hours: Call for current hours and program availability
What they provide: Emergency rent assistance for eviction prevention. Transitional housing programs for individuals and families moving toward permanent stability. Life skills training — budgeting, employment readiness, independent living. Employment assistance and job placement support.
Membership requirement: None.
6. Charlotte Family Housing
Charlotte Family Housing provides rental assistance and intensive case management specifically for families — working to stabilize housing for parents and children facing eviction in Mecklenburg County.
Phone: (704) 334-4044 Website: charlottefamilyhousing.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
What they provide: Rental assistance and case management for families in housing crisis. Charlotte Family Housing works with families through an intensive case management model — addressing not just the immediate rent gap but the underlying causes of instability.
Membership requirement: None. Families with children are the primary population served.
7. Ebenezer Baptist Church
Ebenezer Baptist Church operates a financial assistance program providing rent and utility help for individuals and families in the Charlotte area who are experiencing financial difficulty.
Address: 2020 W. Sugar Creek Rd., Charlotte, NC 28262 Phone: (704) 596-7002 Website: ebenezerbaptistcharlotte.org Hours: Call during office hours for current assistance availability
What they provide: Financial assistance for rent and utility bills. Food assistance services for community members experiencing hardship.
Membership requirement: None.
8. RAMP Charlotte (Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program)
RAMP-CLT is Mecklenburg County’s locally managed emergency assistance program offering rental and mortgage assistance to families impacted by housing instability. RAMP partners with churches, nonprofits, and the county to administer assistance funds.
Website: rampclt.com Phone: Contact through Crisis Assistance Ministry (704-371-3001) or 211 Hours: Applications through partner organizations during business hours
What they provide: Rental and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, eviction prevention. RAMP-CLT is the coordinated program for Mecklenburg County residents — CAM and partner organizations administer the actual assistance on RAMP’s behalf.
For Mecklenburg County rent and mortgage assistance, rampclt.com is the official resource for program information and eligibility.
9. United Way of Central Carolinas
United Way of Central Carolinas connects families with local housing assistance programs through their 211 referral network — and administers several direct emergency assistance programs in partnership with Mecklenburg County nonprofits.
Phone: (704) 372-7170 (or dial 211) Website: uwcentralcarolinas.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5 PM
What they provide: Connections to local housing assistance programs, emergency financial assistance through partner organizations, ALICE research and community advocacy for working families. United Way partners with CAM and other Mecklenburg County organizations to extend the reach of emergency rent assistance across the county.
Membership requirement: None.
10. St. Peter Catholic Church — St. Vincent de Paul
St. Peter Catholic Church operates an active St. Vincent de Paul conference in Charlotte providing direct rent and utility assistance to households in the immediate neighborhood area.
Address: 507 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 Phone: (704) 332-2901 Hours: Call during office hours for SVdP conference contact information
What they provide: Emergency rent and utility assistance through the SVdP conference model — direct caseworker assistance to households in the immediate neighborhood area.
Membership requirement: None. SVdP serves all faiths and backgrounds. Note: For the SVdP conference nearest your specific address, call the national SVdP helpline or ask at any Charlotte Catholic parish.
11. Loaves and Fishes / Nourish Up
Loaves and Fishes / Nourish Up is a non-denominational organization founded through Charlotte-area churches (originally through Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in 1975) providing food pantry services to individuals and families in crisis across Mecklenburg County.
Phone: (704) 523-4333 Website: nourishup.org Hours: Multiple pantry locations — call or visit the website for hours nearest you
What they provide: Food assistance for families in financial crisis. While Loaves and Fishes / Nourish Up’s primary focus is food, their network of church partnerships makes them a strong referral point for rent assistance connections — staff can direct clients to the appropriate emergency rent programs in their neighborhood.
Membership requirement: None.
Government Programs for Rent Help in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
RAMP-CLT — Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program Charlotte-Mecklenburg
RAMP-CLT is the official county-managed program for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance in Mecklenburg County.
Website: rampclt.com Access: Through Crisis Assistance Ministry (704-371-3001) or 211
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services — Emergency Program Aid
DSS administers emergency program aid in partnership with CAM for eligible Mecklenburg County residents in housing or food crisis.
Address: 301 Billingsley Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211 (Wallace H. Kuralt Centre) Phone: (704) 336-3000 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
North Carolina Work First (TANF)
North Carolina’s TANF program — Work First — provides financial assistance to qualifying families with children.
Apply: epass.nc.gov Phone: (704) 336-3000 (Mecklenburg DSS)
North Carolina Legal Aid — Eviction Defense
NC Legal Aid provides free legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction in Mecklenburg County.
Phone: 1-866-219-5262 Website: legalaidnc.org
NC 211
Phone: Dial 211 (free, 24/7) Website: nc211.org
Step-by-Step: How to Get Rent Help in Charlotte
Step 1: Call Crisis Assistance Ministry first. CAM is the official first portal of entry for emergency financial assistance in Mecklenburg County — contracted by DSS specifically for this role. Call (704) 371-3001 the moment you receive a past-due notice. This is the single most important call you make.
Step 2: Dial 211 the same day. NC 211 has real-time data on every currently funded rent program in Mecklenburg County. Catholic Charities specifically directs all rent-seeking clients to call 211 first. Tell the operator you are facing eviction in Charlotte and need emergency rental assistance.
Step 3: Call the Salvation Army and Good Fellows Club. Salvation Army: (704) 348-2555. Good Fellows Club: (704) 333-5040. Both operate independently from CAM and have separate funding pools. Contact all three on the same day.
Step 4: If you are a family with children, add Charlotte Family Housing. Call (704) 334-4044. Charlotte Family Housing specializes in family eviction prevention with intensive case management — a more comprehensive intervention than a one-time payment.
Step 5: Apply for RAMP-CLT through rampclt.com. RAMP-CLT is the county’s coordinated program. CAM administers it, but understanding your eligibility through the RAMP framework can open additional funding pathways beyond what individual organizations can provide on their own.
Step 6: Contact your landlord. Inform your landlord that you have applied for third-party rental assistance through Crisis Assistance Ministry — Mecklenburg County’s officially contracted emergency assistance provider. This is the most credible signal you can give a landlord. Most will pause the eviction process for 2–3 weeks while a CAM payment is in process.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Photo ID for all adults in the household. Social Security cards for all household members. Current lease showing your address, rent amount, and landlord contact information. Eviction notice or past-due rent notice showing the exact amount owed and deadline. Proof of income — pay stubs (last 30 days), Work First/TANF award letters, SSI or Social Security letters, bank statements. Documentation of the crisis — layoff letter, medical bill, reduced-hours notice, or similar. Your landlord’s name, phone, and mailing address. All past-due utility bills if also requesting utility assistance. Any current benefit cards (SNAP, Medicaid, Work First).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crisis Assistance Ministry and why do I call them first?
Crisis Assistance Ministry is contracted by Mecklenburg County’s Department of Social Services to be the central distribution point for local, state, and federal emergency rent and utility funds in Charlotte. They are not just another nonprofit — they are the official community portal for emergency financial assistance. Calling CAM first gives you access to the full pool of government and private funds available in Mecklenburg County, not just one organization’s limited budget.
Do I need to be a Mecklenburg County resident to get help?
Most organizations on this list serve Mecklenburg County residents specifically. CAM, Good Fellows Club, and Salvation Army Charlotte require Mecklenburg County residency. Call ahead to confirm geographic eligibility if you live outside the county boundary.
Can undocumented immigrants get rent help in Charlotte?
Yes. Crisis Assistance Ministry, the Salvation Army, Good Fellows Club, and Charlotte Family Housing all serve everyone regardless of immigration status. Catholic Charities also explicitly serves all people regardless of background. Government programs like Work First/TANF have citizenship and residency requirements — but faith-based organizations do not.
What is RAMP-CLT?
RAMP-CLT (Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program – Charlotte-Mecklenburg) is the county’s coordinated emergency housing assistance program. It is administered through Crisis Assistance Ministry and partner nonprofits. When you apply through CAM, you are effectively applying for RAMP-CLT funding. Visit rampclt.com for eligibility information.
How often can I get rent help from Charlotte churches?
Most organizations limit assistance to once every 12 months per household. Good Fellows Club and the Salvation Army both typically operate on a once-per-year basis. If you reach CAM’s limit, call 211 for referrals to additional programs. Multiple organizations can assist you at different times during the same year if genuine crises recur.
Does Crisis Assistance Ministry help with utilities as well as rent?
Yes. CAM provides both rent and utility assistance — and serves as the central distribution point for both through the county DSS contract. Bring all past-due notices (rent and utility) to your appointment.
What if I need legal help to fight an eviction, not just money?
Contact NC Legal Aid at 1-866-219-5262. NC Legal Aid provides free legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction in Mecklenburg County — including appearing in court on your behalf. Calling NC Legal Aid and Crisis Assistance Ministry at the same time is the strongest possible dual-track response to an active eviction notice.
Final Thoughts
Charlotte has one of the strongest emergency rent assistance networks in North Carolina — anchored by Crisis Assistance Ministry’s unique role as the county’s official first portal for financial help. When you call CAM, you are accessing not just one organization’s budget but the full pool of local, state, and federal funds available in Mecklenburg County.
Call today. Funding is first-come, first-served and CAM’s appointment slots fill quickly.
Make these three calls today:
Crisis Assistance Ministry: (704) 371-3001 Salvation Army Charlotte: (704) 348-2555 NC 211: Dial 211
← [Back to: Churches That Help With Rent — National Guide]
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Crisis Assistance Ministry (crisisassistance.org), Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources (dcr.mecknc.gov), Salvation Army Charlotte (salvationarmycharlotte.org), Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte (ccdoc.org), Good Fellows Club (goodfellowsclub.org), RAMP-CLT (rampclt.com), North Carolina 211 (nc211.org), NC Legal Aid (legalaidnc.org)
Program availability, funding levels, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Always call ahead to confirm current availability before visiting. Funding is first-come, first-served.