Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.
Arizona handles custody (called 'legal decision-making' and 'parenting time') in superior courts across all 15 counties. The Division of Child Support Services operates under DES. Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Chandler are the largest metros. Community Legal Services, Southern Arizona Legal Aid, and the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence support women statewide.
ADOH at 1110 W Washington in Phoenix administers Arizona's federal LIHTC tax credits, Housing Trust Fund, and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program in 13 non-entitlement counties. Mothers seeking subsidized housing should start by checking their county's PHA waitlist status here. Call 602-771-1000 weekdays.
602-771-1000 · 1110 W Washington St Suite 310, Phoenix, AZ 85007 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
CAHRA at 5310 S Central in Phoenix is one of Maricopa County's Community Action Agencies, distributing federal LIHEAP utility-bill credits and emergency rental assistance to qualifying families. Funds run out fast each month — apply by the 5th when possible. Call 602-233-0909.
602-233-0909 · 5310 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85040 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website
Primavera at 151 W 40th St in Tucson combines transitional housing, men's and women's shelter beds, financial education, and a Workforce Development program. Their Five Points neighborhood services make them the largest non-county anti-homelessness agency in Pima. Call 520-623-5111 for housing intake.
520-623-5111 · 151 W 40th St, Tucson, AZ 85713 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
UMOM's campus at 3333 E Van Buren is Arizona's largest family shelter — about 170 family apartments plus single-women's beds at the Watkins Overflow Shelter. Onsite case management, kids' enrichment, and Helpings Cafe culinary-job training make it a one-stop campus. Call 602-275-5956 for intake.
602-275-5956 · 3333 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008 · 24/7 intake · Visit Website
Habitat Central Arizona at 9133 NW Grand Ave in Peoria builds and sells homes to qualifying low-income families with zero-interest mortgages. Applicants put in sweat-equity hours during construction. Call 602-268-9022 to ask when the next homeownership application window opens.
602-268-9022 · 9133 NW Grand Ave, Peoria, AZ 85345 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Save the Family at 125 E University in Mesa operates scattered-site transitional housing across the East Valley plus intensive case management toward self-sufficiency goals. Their typical client is a working mother and children. Call 480-898-0228 for current openings.
480-898-0228 · 125 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85201 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Statewide self-screening tool run by the Arizona Community Action Association that bundles questions to match mothers with TANF, SNAP, AHCCCS, LIHEAP, and child-care subsidies in one application. Call 602-263-8856 for help completing the screener.
602-263-8856 · Phoenix, AZ · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
HUD-certified housing counselors give free advice on rental rights, foreclosure prevention, reverse-mortgage scams, and first-time homebuying. Call 800-569-4287 to be matched with an Arizona-based HUD-approved agency.
800-569-4287 · Statewide service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
HUD's Arizona field office at 2 N Central Ave in Phoenix handles fair-housing complaints, Section 8 oversight, and Native American housing programs across the state's 22 tribes. Use the site to file a Fair Housing complaint if you have been discriminated against.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
HUD's CoC portal lists Arizona's Continuum of Care lead agencies: Maricopa Association of Governments, Tucson Pima Collaboration, and Balance of State CoC. These are the entry points to the coordinated-entry assessment that prioritizes shelter and rapid-rehousing.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
In Arizona, LIHEAP runs through DES Community Action Agencies and provides one-time bill credits typically $400-
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Salvation Army Southwest Division runs 30+ Arizona corps and centers offering rent, utility, and food assistance plus the Project Hope DV shelter in Phoenix. Each corps sets its own rules so call your nearest location through the find-help tool.
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Catholic Charities Community Services serves Maricopa, Yavapai, Mohave, and Coconino with rent assistance, refugee resettlement, behavioral health, and the Mesa Family Shelter. Catholic Community Services covers the Tucson and southern dioceses. Both serve all faiths.
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Valley of the Sun United Way and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona fund regional emergency rental, the Mighty Mothers initiative, and 211 — the easiest single number Arizona mothers can dial for any social-service question.
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National Habitat site lets you locate the nine Arizona affiliates from Yuma to Flagstaff. Each runs ReStore retail shops where mothers can also buy affordable furniture and appliances at deep discounts.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Family Promise has active affiliates in Greater Phoenix, the East Valley, and Tucson — congregational networks rotating families through host churches for shelter combined with intensive case management to permanent housing.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website