Where to Start: Arizona's Main Rental information Programs

Arizona runs rental information through two main channels: the Arizona Department of Housing administers the state program, and individual cities and counties run their own funds. The state program covers the entire state but often has a waiting list; local programs move faster but only serve their specific area. Start by calling your city or county housing authority to ask which fund is currently open — many programs pause intake when money runs low and reopen months later.

The state program is called the Rental information for Individuals and Families (RAIF). It pays landlords directly for rent owed, typically going back up to 12 months. Counties like Maricopa, Pima, and Coconino also run their own programs with different timelines and income limits. Phoenix, Tucson, and Mesa have city-level funds that sometimes move faster than the state option because they serve fewer people.

Before you contact anyone, gather your lease, proof of income for the past 30 days, and a list of any rent you owe with dates. Programs will ask for these when ready, and having them ready cuts weeks off the process.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona's state program (RAIF) covers the whole state but often has a waiting list, while city and county programs move faster but only serve their area.
  • Most programs pay landlords directly for back rent, so you will need your lease and proof of how much you owe before you contact them.
  • Call your local housing authority or city hall first to find out which fund is currently taking new requests, because many pause when money runs out.
  • Income limits vary by program and family size, but most programs serve households at or below 80 percent of area median income.
  • Approval typically takes two to eight weeks once you submit everything, depending on whether the program is backlogged.

Income Limits and Who the Programs Serve

Most Arizona rental information programs use area median income (AMI) as their threshold. The limit is usually 80 percent of AMI for your county, which means a family of four in Maricopa County might have a limit around $65,000 to $70,000 annually — but this number changes by county and year. Pima County (Tucson area) and rural counties have different thresholds. Call the program directly to ask what the current limit is for your household size; they can tell you in one call whether you fall within it.

Programs also require that you show a financial hardship tied to a recent event: job loss, reduced hours, medical emergency, or domestic violence. You will need to document this with a letter from your employer, a medical bill, or a police report. The hardship does not have to be COVID-related anymore, but it does have to be recent — usually within the last 12 months.

Citizenship is not required. Most programs serve households regardless of immigration status, though a few ask for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number. Ask the program directly about this before you explore.

What Programs Pay and What They Don't

Arizona programs typically cover back rent only, not future rent or other housing costs. If you owe three months of rent, the program will pay those three months to your landlord. They do not usually cover utilities, late fees, or court costs from an eviction filing, though a few local programs do cover utilities if they are included in your lease.

The amount paid depends on the program. The state RAIF program typically covers up to 12 months of back rent, capped at the actual amount owed. Some city programs cap the monthly rent amount they will pay — for example, a program might pay up to $1,500 per month even if your rent is higher. Ask the program what their cap is before you explore.

If you are behind on rent and also facing an eviction filing, tell the program when ready. Some programs prioritize active cases and can contact the court to ask for a continuance while your case is being reviewed. Others will not, so knowing this ahead of time helps you plan.

How to Find the Right Program for Your Area

Start with your city or county housing authority. In Phoenix, contact the City of Phoenix Housing Department. In Tucson, call the Pima County Housing Authority. If you live in an unincorporated area, call your county's housing or community services department. A 211 call (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) will also connect you to local programs and tell you which ones are currently open.

When you call, ask three things: Is the program currently taking new requests? What is the current wait time? What documents do you need to bring? Write down the answers and the name of the person you spoke to. If a program is closed, ask when it typically reopens — many restart in the fall or after the state releases new funding.

If your local program is closed or backlogged, the state RAIF program is your backup. You can reach the Arizona Department of Housing through their website or by calling your county's community services office, which can refer you to the state program. The state program takes longer but does not turn people away for lack of funds — they add you to a waiting list instead.

Documents You Will Need

Have these ready before you call or visit:

  • A signed lease or rental agreement showing the address and monthly rent amount
  • Proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, bank statements showing deposits, unemployment paperwork, or a letter from your employer)
  • A list of how much rent you owe and for which months, with dates
  • Proof of the hardship (job termination letter, medical bill, police report, or letter from your employer showing reduced hours)
  • Photo ID and proof of residency (utility bill or lease)
  • Your landlord's name, address, and phone number

Some programs also ask for a landlord consent form signed by your landlord before they will process your request. This is not common in Arizona, but a few local programs use it. Ask when you call whether you need this.

Timeline: How Long Approval Takes

If the program is not backlogged, approval usually takes two to four weeks from the day you submit everything. If the program is backlogged — which happens often in Maricopa County during high-demand periods — it can take six to eight weeks or longer. During that time, the program will contact your landlord directly to verify the debt and confirm they will accept the payment.

Once approved, the program pays your landlord by check or electronic transfer, usually within one to two weeks. You do not receive the money yourself; it goes straight to the landlord. Tell your landlord when ready that you have applied and ask them to hold off on filing for eviction or pursuing collection while the program reviews your case. Many landlords will wait once they know a payment is coming.

If you are already in eviction court, bring proof of your process to your next court date. Some judges will continue the case (delay it) while the program processes your request. This is not may provide, but it is worth asking.

What Happens If You Are Denied or the Program Runs Out of Money

If a program denies you, ask for the reason in writing. Common reasons are income too high, hardship not recent enough, or the program ran out of money. If the reason is income, you may still may have access to for a different local program with a higher limit. If the reason is the hardship timeline, you might may have access to later if circumstances change.

If a program runs out of money, you go on a waiting list. The program will contact you when new funding arrives, which can be months later. In the meantime, explore other options: nonprofit emergency funds, legal aid organizations that help with eviction defense, or utility information programs that might free up money for rent.

The Community Legal Services and Southwest Fair Housing Council both operate in Arizona and can connect you to emergency funds and legal help if rental information is not available. 211 can also refer you to nonprofits in your area that offer one-time emergency grants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore if I already have an eviction notice?

Yes. In fact, having an active eviction case sometimes moves you up the priority list. Bring the notice to your appointment and tell the program the court date. Some programs can contact the court to ask for a delay while they review your case, though this is not may provide.

What if my landlord refuses to take the payment from the program?

This is rare but does happen. Ask the program what their policy is before you approach your landlord. Some programs will pay you directly if the landlord refuses in writing; others will not. Knowing this ahead of time helps you decide whether to tell your landlord you have applied.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to get rental information in Arizona?

No. Most Arizona programs serve households regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Some ask for an ITIN or Social Security Number for record-keeping, but this is not a barrier. Call the program and ask directly about their policy.

Can the program help with utilities or other bills, not just rent?

Most programs cover rent only. A few local programs also cover utilities if they are included in your lease or if you have a separate utility bill showing arrears. Ask the program when you call whether they cover anything beyond rent.

How do I know if a program is currently open?

Call your city or county housing authority directly, or dial 211 from any phone. Both can tell you in one call which programs are taking new requests right now. Many programs pause intake when money runs low, so calling is the only way to know for sure.