Best Housing & Financial in Arkansas — 15 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

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.

Housing & Financial in Arkansas

Arkansas circuit courts hear family law matters in all 75 counties, with the Office of Child Support Enforcement under the Department of Finance and Administration. Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Springdale are the largest metros. Legal Aid of Arkansas, the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, and the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide help to women.

15 Resources

1. Arkansas Development Finance Authority — Free

ADFA administers the state's first-time-homebuyer mortgage program, the Housing Choice Voucher program in many non-PHA jurisdictions, and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation. Mothers exploring homeownership can apply for the Move-Up loan with down-payment assistance through participating lenders. The Capitol Avenue office handles compliance for tax-credit properties across Arkansas.

501-682-5900 · 900 W Capitol Ave Suite 400, Little Rock, AR 72201 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

2. Arkansas Department of Human Services — TEA — Free

Transitional Employment Assistance is Arkansas's TANF program, providing cash assistance and work supports to families with children. Benefits are time-limited and tied to work-participation requirements. Mothers caring for an infant under 12 months may be temporarily exempt. Apply at any county DHS office or through the Access Arkansas portal.

800-482-8988 · Statewide Offices · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Central Arkansas Development Council — Housing — Free

CADC is a community-action agency serving 11 central Arkansas counties from offices in Conway. Their housing department administers LIHEAP energy assistance, weatherization, emergency rental help when funds are available, and a small homeownership counseling program. Funds run out quickly each program year, so apply at the start of the federal fiscal year in October when possible.

501-603-0909 · 707 Robins St, Conway, AR 72032 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas — Free

Habitat Central Arkansas builds and rehabs homes for income-qualified families in Pulaski and Saline counties, with a focus on single-mother-headed households. Selected families contribute sweat-equity hours and purchase the home at no profit with a zero-interest mortgage. The application process runs in cohorts; check the website for the next open intake window.

501-376-4434 · 423 E Capitol Ave, Little Rock, AR 72202 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Salvation Army of Arkansas — Housing Programs — Free

The Salvation Army's Arkansas Area Command operates emergency shelter, transitional housing, and limited rental assistance from multiple corps locations including Little Rock. Single mothers with children are usually placed at the Center of Hope shelter or referred to a faith-based partner. Apply at the corps location nearest you; emergency assistance often requires same-week appointment.

501-374-9296 · Little Rock, AR · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Northwest Arkansas Community Housing Trust — Free

The community land trust model used by NWA Community Housing Trust keeps homes permanently affordable by holding the land in trust while families own the structure. The trust operates in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville where market-rate housing has priced out many local workers. Income guidelines and household-size requirements apply.

479-442-5620 · Fayetteville, AR 72701 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

7. Union Rescue Mission — Little Rock — Free

Union Rescue Mission operates the Markham Street campus in downtown Little Rock with emergency shelter beds, meals, and a long-term recovery program. The women and children's facility on a nearby campus serves mothers with kids separately from the men's shelter. Faith-based programming is part of the long-term residential track but optional at the emergency shelter level.

501-375-6388 · 501 E Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201 · 24/7

8. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

HUD's website hosts the locator for every Public Housing Authority in Arkansas including the larger ones in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff, and Texarkana. Each PHA administers its own waiting list for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. Closed waiting lists are common; the site shows current status when authorities update it.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

HUD's Continuum of Care page lists the lead agency for each CoC in Arkansas including the Little Rock/Pulaski/Saline CoC, Northwest Arkansas CoC, and the Balance of State CoC. The CoC lead coordinates entry into homelessness programs in that region, including rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

Arkansas LIHEAP is administered through community-action agencies including CADC, Crowley's Ridge Development Council, and the Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative. Winter benefits open in November; crisis assistance for disconnection notices is available year-round. Mothers should bring the most recent utility bill, photo ID, and proof of household income.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

The Salvation Army national site routes users to the nearest corps. Arkansas locations are spread across Little Rock, North Little Rock, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, and several smaller towns. Each corps offers a different mix of food, shelter, rent assistance, utility help, and case management depending on local funding.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Catholic Charities of Arkansas operates from offices in Little Rock, Springdale, and Fort Smith providing emergency financial assistance, immigration legal services, and family-strengthening programs. Services are available regardless of religion. The Little Rock office houses the Westside Free Medical Clinic and the immigration team.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. United Way Worldwide — Free

United Ways operate in Pulaski, Washington, Benton, Sebastian, Garland, and several other Arkansas counties. Each local United Way funds member agencies covering housing, food, education, and health. Many local United Ways operate the 211 referral line; the United Way of Central Arkansas runs Arkansas 211 statewide.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Habitat for Humanity has affiliates in Pulaski, Washington, Benton, Sebastian, Faulkner, Garland, and many other Arkansas counties. Each affiliate runs its own selection cycle and may offer different programs including ReStore home-improvement retail, critical home repair, and aging-in-place modifications in addition to new construction.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Family Promise — Free

Family Promise of Pulaski County and Family Promise of Northwest Arkansas operate the local affiliates of the national network, sheltering homeless families in rotating church-based locations while a day center provides showers, mail, case management, and job-search help. The model preserves family unity, which traditional shelters often cannot.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Arkansas?
Women's Corner tracks 15 housing & financial resources for women in Arkansas.
Are housing & financial resources in Arkansas free?
15 of the 15 listed housing & financial resources in Arkansas are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Arkansas have housing & financial resources?
Listings span cities including Little Rock, Conway, Fayetteville.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Arkansas?
Featured entries include Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Arkansas Department of Human Services — TEA, Central Arkansas Development Council — Housing, Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas, Salvation Army of Arkansas — Housing Programs.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
7 of 15 Arkansas housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?
It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?
211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?
Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?
Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.