DCSS and NRHA provide rental assistance and security deposits in Douglas County

Douglas County residents who are in need of rental assistance have comprehensive support, thanks to two agencies serving you locally.

Eviction Prevention

First off, if you are having difficulty making your rent payment due to an emergency hardship situation, you can get help with back rent through a special county program. Douglas County Social Services (DCSS) will provide help with making your rent payment so that you can avoid eviction proceedings.

To qualify, you must be a Douglas County resident and be considered a lower income household. Additionally, you cannot have previously received rental assistance within the past year from DCSS (help from other agencies will not disqualify you). A portion of your regular rental payment may be paid by a cash grant that does not have to be repaid. As long as your landlord consents to the plan and you can show that you will be able to afford to remain in the home after receiving assistance, then you can qualify for the aid. Call 775-782-9825 to arrange to submit an application and speak with a social worker.

Security Deposit Assistance

If you need to move but do not have the money to put down as a security deposit to your new landlord, you could benefit from security deposit assistance from the Nevada Rural Housing Authority (NRHA). This assistance comes in the form of a security deposit loan. Unlike commercial lenders, this loan from NRHA carries zero interest. You will pay nothing in finance charges for this loan. You simply will make scheduled payments of 10% of the loan amount until the loan is repaid in full, and you have up to a year to repay this interest-free loan.

An application must be completed, and you will need to meet with an NRHA case manager in order to confirm your qualifications. For more information, call NRHA at 775-887-1795 or walk into their Carson City office at 3695 Desatoya Drive.

Subsidized Rent

If you have always had difficulty paying your rent and your household income is less than 50% of the area median income for Nevada, you may qualify for subsidized rent. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance program can give you permanently reduced rent payments as long as your income remains unchanged. A waiting list is maintained, and you will retain your place ahead of applicants who apply after you. The HCV receives federal Section 8 funding and has specific rules on qualifications. Call NRHA at 775-887-1795 to begin.

Douglas County Social Services and Nevada Rural Housing Authority work to cover each component of rental assistance. Depending on your needs, give the appropriate agency a call so that you can make a change and live independently.