If you are behind on rent in San Jose and facing eviction, help is available right now. Churches, faith-based nonprofits, and community organizations across Santa Clara County provide emergency rental assistance — paying directly to your landlord to stop the eviction process before it reaches court.
San Jose is in the heart of one of the most expensive housing markets in the United States. Median rent in San Jose routinely exceeds $2,500 per month, and even households with two working adults can find themselves one unexpected expense away from eviction. The organizations below exist specifically to prevent that — and most serve everyone regardless of faith, immigration status, or employment situation.
You do not need to be religious to receive help from any organization on this list. You need a lease, a notice, and a phone call.
San Jose Rent Help — Quick Answer
Call 211 (free, 24/7) for same-day rental assistance referrals. Or contact these organizations directly:
| Organization | Phone | What They Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Sacred Heart Community Service | (408) 709-2364 | Rent, utilities, deposits, food |
| Salvation Army San Jose | (408) 282-1165 | Rent, utilities, food, clothing |
| Catholic Charities Santa Clara County | (408) 944-0651 | Rent, housing, case management |
| Bill Wilson Center | (408) 243-0222 | Rent, housing, youth services |
| Sunnyvale Community Services | (408) 738-4321 | Rent, utilities, food (nearby) |
| LifeMoves | (408) 271-0685 | Rapid rehousing, shelter |
| 211 Santa Clara County | Dial 211 | Live referrals to all programs |
Churches and Faith-Based Organizations That Help With Rent in San Jose
1. Sacred Heart Community Service (SHCS)
Sacred Heart Community Service is the most comprehensive faith-rooted rent and financial assistance organization in San Jose — and one of the strongest eviction prevention resources in all of Santa Clara County. Founded in 1964 and supported by Holy Spirit Parish and a broad network of faith communities, Sacred Heart provides integrated services free of charge to anyone in need.
Address: 1381 S. First St., San Jose, CA 95110 Phone: (408) 709-2364 Email: contact via sacredheartcs.org Website: sacredheartcs.org/rental-assistance Hours: Call or visit the website for current appointment availability
ZIP code coverage: Sacred Heart’s rental assistance program serves specific ZIP codes: 95008, 95110, 95111, 95112 (south of Santa Clara St.), 95113, 95116, 95117, 95118, 95120, 95123, 95124, 95125, 95126, 95128, 95136.
If your ZIP code is not on this list, Sacred Heart will screen you and refer you to the agency that serves your specific ZIP code. Use the referral map at sacredheartcs.org/rental-assistance to find your assigned agency.
ZIP codes 95050, 95051, and 95054 are served by the Salvation Army San Jose at (408) 282-1165.
What they provide: Rental and deposit assistance, utility bill assistance, employment help, tax preparation, financial coaching, public benefits navigation, food pantry, clothing, and home gardening education. Sacred Heart’s wraparound model means a single intake appointment can address rent, utilities, food, and employment — all at once.
Membership requirement: None. Sacred Heart is explicitly non-denominational and non-profit, serving all in need. Typical assistance: Emergency rent payment and deposit assistance based on available funding. Direct payment to landlord.
2. Salvation Army San Jose
The Salvation Army San Jose provides one-time emergency cash grants to low-income individuals and families in the San Jose area — specifically to prevent eviction and stop the cycle into homelessness. The Salvation Army also serves currently homeless individuals and helps them access transitional housing.
Address: 359 N. Fourth St., San Jose, CA 95110 Phone: (408) 282-1165 Website: salvationarmyusa.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
ZIP codes served: The Salvation Army San Jose specifically covers ZIP codes 95050, 95051, and 95054 for rental assistance (per the Sacred Heart referral system). They also serve broader Santa Clara County residents through general social services.
What they provide: One-time cash grants to prevent eviction, homelessness prevention, food and clothing assistance, transitional housing referrals, and social services case management.
Membership requirement: None. Typical assistance: One-time emergency rental payment to prevent eviction. Direct payment to landlord.
3. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County provides comprehensive housing assistance, food resources, mental health services, employment support, immigration legal services, and financial literacy programs. Their approach to rent assistance is case management-based — connecting emergency rent payment with longer-term housing stability planning.
Main Address: 2625 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA 95134 Phone: (408) 944-0651 Website: ccscc.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5 PM
Additional community center locations: John XXIII Multi-Service Center (Eastside): (408) 254-5977 Eastside Neighborhood Center: (408) 729-9662
What they provide: Housing assistance including rent and mortgage help, food assistance, mental health services (including Medi-Cal eligible counseling), immigration legal services and citizenship preparation, employment support, and financial literacy programs. Catholic Charities connects emergency rent assistance with case management designed to prevent recurrence.
Membership requirement: None. Catholic Charities explicitly serves everyone regardless of faith, background, or immigration status. Typical assistance: Emergency rent assistance plus case management. Amount based on assessed need and available funding.
4. Bill Wilson Center
Bill Wilson Center is a Santa Clara County-based nonprofit providing housing, mental health, and social services to youth, young adults, and families — including direct rental assistance and rapid rehousing support. Bill Wilson Center operates several housing programs for families and young adults facing homelessness or eviction in San Jose.
Main Address: 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050 Phone: (408) 243-0222 Website: billwilsoncenter.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
What they provide: Family rental assistance, rapid rehousing for youth and families, transitional housing, mental health services, and housing navigation. Bill Wilson Center is particularly strong for families with children and young adults (18–24) facing housing instability.
Membership requirement: None.
5. Sunnyvale Community Services
Sunnyvale Community Services provides emergency rent and utility assistance to low-income residents of Sunnyvale and the surrounding Santa Clara County area. Their rental assistance program is ZIP code-based — some San Jose ZIP codes may be served through their program under Santa Clara County’s coordinated rental assistance network.
New Address: 1160 Kern Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Phone: (408) 738-4321 Website: svcommunityservices.org Hours: Call for current intake hours
What they provide: Emergency rent and utility assistance, food pantry, clothing, household goods. Sunnyvale Community Services works within the same coordinated ZIP code network as Sacred Heart — call to confirm whether your ZIP code falls under their service area.
Membership requirement: None.
6. LifeMoves
LifeMoves is one of the largest housing and homelessness service providers in Silicon Valley. Their Georgia Villa location in San Jose provides rapid rehousing — helping individuals and families who have already lost housing find stable permanent homes — alongside shelter and wraparound supportive services.
Georgia Villa Address: 184 South 11th Street, San Jose, CA 95112 Phone: (408) 271-0685 ext. 641 Website: lifemoves.org Hours: Call for current intake hours and program availability
What they provide: Rapid rehousing (finding and securing permanent housing with short-term rental assistance), transitional shelter, employment services, financial coaching, and connections to permanent affordable housing. LifeMoves is best suited for households who have already lost stable housing and need help getting back into a permanent home.
Membership requirement: None.
7. Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
AACI provides comprehensive community services to the diverse San Jose area — including housing support, rental assistance referrals, mental health services, and social services for immigrants and families across Santa Clara County.
Address: 2400 Moorpark Ave., Suite 300, San Jose, CA 95128 Phone: (408) 975-2730 Website: aaci.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
What they provide: Housing assistance and rental support referrals, mental health services (multilingual), immigration services, workforce development, and community health programs. AACI is particularly accessible for East Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander communities — with multilingual staff in multiple languages.
Membership requirement: None. AACI serves all Santa Clara County residents.
8. Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley provides emergency financial assistance — including help with rent — to all Santa Clara County residents regardless of faith background. JFSSV is often underutilized by the broader community because people assume it is faith-restricted — it is not.
Phone: (408) 357-7474 Website: jfssv.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
What they provide: Emergency financial assistance including rent help, case management, mental health counseling, senior services, and refugee resettlement support. All services are open to any Santa Clara County resident.
Membership requirement: None. JFSSV explicitly serves people of all faiths.
9. Sacred Heart Parish San Jose — St. Vincent de Paul Conference
Several San Jose Catholic parishes maintain active St. Vincent de Paul conferences providing direct rent and utility assistance to households in their neighborhood. SVdP conferences serve within defined geographic boundaries — only the conference covering your address can assist you.
Find your SVdP conference: Call the Sacred Heart SHCS main line at (408) 709-2364 or visit svdp-or.org to locate the conference nearest your address.
What they provide: One-time emergency rent and utility assistance. Amount varies by conference and available funding.
Membership requirement: None. SVdP serves all faiths and backgrounds.
10. Project Sentinel
Project Sentinel is a fair housing and landlord-tenant mediation organization serving Santa Clara County — providing rent assistance, housing discrimination support, and free legal services for low-income tenants facing eviction.
Address: 1490 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050 Phone: (408) 720-9888 Website: housing.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
What they provide: One-time rental assistance to prevent eviction. Security deposit and back rent assistance. Landlord-tenant mediation and dispute resolution. Free legal services for low-income tenants facing housing discrimination. Project Sentinel handles both the financial side and the legal side of eviction prevention.
Membership requirement: None.
Government Programs for Rent Help in San Jose and Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Santa Clara County administers emergency rental assistance for qualifying low-income households through its Housing and Community Development department.
Phone: (408) 299-5766 Website: sccgov.org/housing Eligibility: Households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income experiencing financial hardship
City of San Jose Rental Assistance
The City of San Jose operates dedicated rental assistance programs for San Jose residents through its Housing Department.
Phone: (408) 975-4480 Website: sanjoseca.gov/government/departments/housing Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
Santa Clara County Social Services Agency
The Santa Clara County Social Services Agency administers CalWORKs (California’s TANF program), CalFresh (SNAP), Medi-Cal, and emergency housing assistance.
Apply: benefitscal.com Phone: (408) 758-3800
211 Santa Clara County
Phone: Dial 211 (free, 24/7) Website: 211sc.org
Step-by-Step: How to Get Rent Help in San Jose
Step 1: Check your ZIP code before calling Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart Community Service is San Jose’s strongest rent assistance resource — but they serve specific ZIP codes only. Go to sacredheartcs.org/rental-assistance and confirm your ZIP is covered. If not, they will direct you to the right agency.
Step 2: Call Sacred Heart and the Salvation Army the same day. Sacred Heart: (408) 709-2364. Salvation Army (for ZIP codes 95050, 95051, 95054): (408) 282-1165. Both take calls for appointments. Do not wait for one response before contacting the next.
Step 3: Call Catholic Charities for case management alongside rent help. Catholic Charities at (408) 944-0651 provides a more comprehensive intervention — connecting emergency rent payment with case management, food, employment, and benefits navigation. If your situation involves multiple overlapping needs, Catholic Charities’ approach may be the most effective.
Step 4: Dial 211 for ZIP-specific referrals. 211 Santa Clara County has real-time data on which programs have open funding right now in your specific ZIP code. Tell the operator your address and that you are facing eviction.
Step 5: Apply to Santa Clara County ERAP and the City of San Jose simultaneously. Government programs take 30+ days to process. Apply now at sccgov.org/housing and through sanjoseca.gov/government/departments/housing while pursuing faith-based assistance on the same timeline.
Step 6: Contact your landlord. Tell your landlord you have applied for third-party rental assistance through Sacred Heart, Catholic Charities, or the Salvation Army. In San Jose’s tight housing market, most landlords prefer a guaranteed payment over the cost and delay of eviction court. Ask for 2–3 weeks while assistance processes.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Photo ID for all adults in the household. Social Security cards or ITIN for all household members. Current lease showing address, rent amount, and landlord contact. Your eviction notice or past-due notice showing amount owed and deadline. Proof of income — pay stubs (last 30 days), CalWORKs/CalFresh/SSI award letters, or bank statements. Documentation of the crisis — layoff letter, medical bill, reduced-hours notice, or similar. Your landlord’s name, phone, and mailing address — payment goes directly to landlord. Most recent utility bills if also requesting utility assistance. Any government benefit cards or letters you currently hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which organization helps with rent fastest in San Jose?
Sacred Heart Community Service and the Salvation Army are typically the fastest. Sacred Heart has a dedicated housing team and processes applications without a monthly intake window. The Salvation Army can issue one-time grants quickly. Call both on the same day and go with whichever has the earliest appointment.
Does Sacred Heart serve all of San Jose?
Sacred Heart serves specific ZIP codes — not all of San Jose. Check sacredheartcs.org/rental-assistance for the current ZIP code list. If your ZIP is not listed, Sacred Heart will screen you and refer you to the agency assigned to your area. Do not assume ineligibility — call and ask.
Can undocumented immigrants get rent help in San Jose?
Yes. Sacred Heart, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, and AACI all serve everyone regardless of immigration status. ITINs are accepted in place of Social Security numbers at most organizations. Note that government ERAP programs may have citizenship or residency requirements — confirm when you apply.
How much will they pay toward my rent?
Amounts vary significantly. One-time faith-based grants typically range from $500 to $2,000 depending on your situation and available funding. Government ERAP programs can cover up to 12 months of back rent for qualifying households. Call and ask what the current cap is.
What if I need a security deposit, not just rent?
Sacred Heart Community Service provides security deposit assistance alongside rent assistance. Project Sentinel also covers security deposits. LifeMoves’ rapid rehousing program can cover deposits for households transitioning into new permanent housing. Specify whether you need deposit help or eviction prevention when you call — the programs and funding pools are different.
Does Project Sentinel only do legal services, or do they actually pay rent?
Project Sentinel provides both legal services and direct financial assistance. They can issue one-time rent payments to prevent eviction — and separately provide landlord-tenant mediation and legal representation for tenants facing discrimination or wrongful eviction. Call (408) 720-9888 to confirm current funding availability.
Final Thoughts
San Jose’s housing costs are among the highest in the country — and the network of organizations fighting to keep people housed is equally serious. Sacred Heart Community Service alone has been serving San Jose families since 1964, and the ZIP-code-based coordinated referral system ensures that no matter where in the city you live, there is a designated organization responsible for helping you.
The key is to act today. Rent assistance funding in Silicon Valley is highly competitive and depletes quickly.
Make these three calls today:
Sacred Heart Community Service: (408) 709-2364 Salvation Army San Jose: (408) 282-1165 211 Santa Clara County: Dial 211
← [Back to: Churches That Help With Rent — National Guide]
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Sacred Heart Community Service (sacredheartcs.org), Salvation Army San Jose (salvationarmyusa.org), Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (ccscc.org), Bill Wilson Center (billwilsoncenter.org), LifeMoves (lifemoves.org), Project Sentinel (housing.org), Santa Clara County Division of Equity and Social Justice (desj.santaclaracounty.gov), 211 Santa Clara County (211sc.org)
Program availability, ZIP code coverage, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Always call ahead to confirm current availability before visiting. Funding is first-come, first-served.