Jacksonville is Florida’s largest city by land area, and its housing market has grown significantly more expensive over the past several years — rent increases have outpaced income growth in Duval County, leaving thousands of households vulnerable to eviction when a job loss, medical bill, or unexpected crisis hits.
Churches and faith-based organizations across Jacksonville are among the most active providers of emergency rental assistance in the region. Some programs operate through large coordinated networks; others work through individual congregations and neighborhoods. Most require a referral through 2-1-1 before you can schedule an appointment — calling 2-1-1 first is almost always the fastest path to assistance.
Dial 2-1-1 or call (904) 632-0600 before visiting any individual organization. United Way’s 211 line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and processes appointments for several of Jacksonville’s largest assistance programs — including Catholic Charities and DESC — directly. Many churches require a 211 referral before they can see you.
How Emergency Rent Assistance Works in Jacksonville
Most faith-based rental assistance in Jacksonville follows the same process:
- Referral through 211 often required first — Catholic Charities, DESC, and others direct applicants to call 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment rather than walking in
- Payments go directly to landlords — organizations pay your landlord, not you
- One-time or limited annual help — most programs assist once per year or once per crisis period
- Documentation required — photo ID, lease, eviction or past-due notice, proof of income, and utility bills
- First-come, first-served with limited funds — apply to multiple programs simultaneously for best results
- Priority often given to families with children, domestic violence survivors, and those facing immediate homelessness
1. Catholic Charities Jacksonville — Largest Emergency Assistance Program
The primary faith-based emergency rental assistance provider in Jacksonville.
Catholic Charities Jacksonville provides emergency financial assistance to prevent homelessness — covering rent, mortgage, utilities, and food for qualifying Duval County residents. Programs serve clients regardless of religious affiliation.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must have experienced a financial setback within the past three months that resulted in inability to pay basic housing needs
- Plus one or more of: one or more months behind in rent; received a 3-day or eviction notice; received a utility cutoff notice; or had utilities cut off
- Priority given to families with children, households facing homelessness, or individuals who experienced domestic violence within the last 30 days
How to access Catholic Charities rental assistance:
- Dial 2-1-1 or call (904) 632-0600 — referrals and appointments for rental assistance are processed through United Way’s 211 line, not by walking into the office
- Once assigned an appointment, bring: photo ID for all adults, birth certificates for all children, lease or mortgage statement, eviction notice or utility shutoff notice, proof of income for all household members
Address: 6 E Bay St, Suite 500, Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: (904) 632-0600 Website: ccbjax.org/emergency-financial-assistance
Additional resources listed directly by Catholic Charities Jacksonville:
- N.E. Florida Community Action — utilities and rent assistance served by zip code; Kennedy Center, 1133 Ionia St; (904) 632-1462
- I.M. Sulzbacher Center — shelter for women (909 N. Liberty St; 904-353-0446) and men (600 N. Washington St; 904-353-1698)
- Rapid Rehousing, case management, food, and clothing — 800 Shetter Ave, Jacksonville Beach, FL; 904-241-6767
2. Downtown Ecumenical Services Council (DESC)
Church-network emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and security deposits — located in First Presbyterian Church.
DESC is one of Jacksonville’s longest-standing faith-based assistance programs, located in the basement of First Presbyterian Church. It provides limited emergency financial assistance for rent, utility bills, and security deposits to individuals and families experiencing financial emergency. Appointments are strictly required — no walk-ins for financial aid.
How to access DESC:
- Financial assistance appointments for rent, utilities, and security deposits are processed through United Way’s 2-1-1
- Call 2-1-1 — available 24/7; appointments are limited so call early in the week
Address: 622 W Union St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: (904) 355-1205
If you need help with a security deposit specifically, DESC is one of the few Jacksonville programs that covers deposits — make sure to mention this when you call 2-1-1. For long-term housing stability beyond emergency assistance, our Section 8 housing vouchers guide covers how to apply for subsidized housing in Florida.
3. N.E. Florida Community Action Agency
Zip code–based rent and utility assistance through the Kennedy Center.
The Northeast Florida Community Action Agency provides rental and utility assistance based on your zip code of residence. Services are administered through the Kennedy Center location.
Address: Kennedy Center, 1133 Ionia St, Jacksonville, FL Phone: (904) 632-1462 Eligibility: Must reside in a qualifying zip code — call to confirm your address is in their service area before visiting
4. Salvation Army — Jacksonville
Emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and basic needs.
The Salvation Army operates in Jacksonville providing short-term emergency financial assistance including help with rent and utilities. Services are available regardless of religious affiliation. For national information on Salvation Army programs and what to expect, see our Salvation Army rental assistance guide.
How to access: Contact your nearest Salvation Army Jacksonville location or dial 2-1-1 for a referral. Website: southernusa.salvationarmy.org
5. I.M. Sulzbacher Center
Emergency shelter and supportive services for homeless individuals in Jacksonville.
The I.M. Sulzbacher Center is Jacksonville’s largest provider of services for people experiencing homelessness, offering shelter, meals, job training, and housing support.
- Women’s shelter: 909 N. Liberty St, Jacksonville; (904) 353-0446
- Men’s shelter: 600 N. Washington St, Jacksonville; (904) 353-1698
- Housing, meals, job training: 613 W. Ashley St, Jacksonville; (904) 354-4162
Sulzbacher is primarily a shelter and services provider for households already experiencing homelessness. If you have received an eviction notice and need to prevent homelessness before it occurs, start with Catholic Charities or DESC. For immediate shelter needs, our emergency housing for homeless guide lists additional options across Florida.
6. Church of Eleven22 — Community Care
Referrals to partner organizations providing food, shelter, and emergency services.
The Church of Eleven22 — one of Jacksonville’s largest congregations — maintains a community care network that connects residents to partner organizations providing food, clothing, shelter, and emergency services across the greater Jacksonville area. The church itself functions as a referral hub, connecting people to the right resource.
Website: coe22.com/care/assistance/
7. Elevate Life Church — Community Assistance Partners
Connections to rent assistance, utilities, and insurance for Beach communities.
Elevate Life Church maintains a network of community assistance partners. One partner specifically focuses on helping families in the Beaches communities of Jacksonville facing difficult times — providing rent assistance, utility assistance, and insurance assistance.
Website: elevatelife.tv/getassistance/
8. St. Vincent de Paul — Jacksonville Area Conferences
Parish-based emergency assistance throughout Duval County.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates through individual parish conferences across Jacksonville. Each conference serves residents in its surrounding geographic area with emergency rent and utility assistance funded through local parish donations. Availability depends on which conference is nearest you and their current funding.
To find the SVdP conference serving your address, contact your nearest Catholic parish or visit svdpusa.org and search for Jacksonville.
What to Bring to Any Rent Assistance Appointment in Jacksonville
Gathering these documents before you call 2-1-1 speeds every application:
- Photo ID for all adults in the household (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
- Birth certificates for all children in the household
- Lease or rental agreement showing your current address
- Eviction notice or 3-day notice from your landlord — having this accelerates priority review
- Past-due rent statement or utility shutoff notice
- Proof of income for all household members (pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SNAP letter, unemployment documentation)
- Utility bills in your name
- Landlord’s name, mailing address, and phone number
Additional Resources for Rent Help in Jacksonville
City of Jacksonville Housing and Community Development: jacksonville.gov — the city administers state and federal rental assistance funds during declared emergencies; check for active programs.
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF): myflorida.com — administers state-level housing assistance and SNAP food benefits. If you are not already on SNAP, our Florida SNAP eligibility guide can help you check income limits and apply.
Three Rivers Legal Services: Provides free legal representation for tenants facing eviction in Duval County. Call (904) 356-8371 or visit trls.org.
Community Connections of Northeast Florida: Coordinates community-wide social services including housing stability programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What churches help with rent in Jacksonville, FL?
The major faith-based organizations providing emergency rent assistance in Jacksonville include Catholic Charities Jacksonville (904-632-0600 or dial 2-1-1), Downtown Ecumenical Services Council / DESC (622 W Union St; access through 2-1-1), N.E. Florida Community Action Agency (904-632-1462; zip code–based), the Salvation Army, and parish-based St. Vincent de Paul conferences throughout Duval County.
How do I get emergency rent help in Jacksonville fast?
Dial 2-1-1 immediately — available 24/7, free, and processes appointments for Catholic Charities, DESC, and other major programs directly. Have your eviction notice or past-due statement ready when you call. Apply to multiple programs simultaneously — Catholic Charities, DESC through 2-1-1, and N.E. Florida Community Action — since funds at each location are limited and fluctuate.
Does Catholic Charities Jacksonville help with rent?
Yes. Catholic Charities Jacksonville provides emergency financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utility payments through its Emergency Financial Assistance Program. Access is through a 211 referral — dial 2-1-1 or call (904) 632-0600 to be assigned an appointment. Priority is given to families with children, households facing homelessness, and domestic violence survivors.
Do I need a referral to get rent help in Jacksonville?
Many programs — including Catholic Charities and DESC — require a 2-1-1 referral before scheduling an appointment. Dial 2-1-1 first. The 211 specialists know which programs have current funding and can match you to the right organization for your zip code and situation.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Freefurniturevouchers.com is not affiliated with any church, organization, or government program listed. Program availability, funding, eligibility requirements, and contact information change frequently. Always call before visiting — many programs require a 2-1-1 referral and operate on limited, fluctuating funding. Dial 2-1-1 for the most current information on available programs in your area.