Best Housing & Financial in Louisiana — 16 verified 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 Louisiana

Louisiana is the only US state based on civil law (Napoleonic Code). Family matters are heard in district courts, with most parishes having dedicated family sections. The Department of Children and Family Services Child Support Enforcement Services handles enforcement. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette are the major cities. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence serve women.

16 Resources

1. Louisiana Housing Corporation — Free

Louisiana Housing Corporation administers state housing programs including rental assistance, affordable housing developments, first-time homebuyer programs, and weatherization assistance for low-income women and families. Call 225-763-8700 or visit lhc.la.gov to explore available programs. Bring proof of income, ID, and current housing documentation when applying. Programs include Section 8 vouchers, LIHTC housing, and down payment assistance for qualifying home buyers. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

225-763-8700 · 2415 Quail Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) — Free

Housing Authority of New Orleans administers public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income women and families in New Orleans. Call 504-670-3300 or visit the office at 4100 Touro St to apply. Bring ID, birth certificates for all household members, proof of income, and rental history. Waitlists may be open or closed depending on funding. Vouchers can be used at private landlords accepting Section 8. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Ask about priority status for DV survivors.

504-670-3300 · 4100 Touro St, New Orleans, LA 70122 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. East Baton Rouge Housing Authority — Free

East Baton Rouge Housing Authority provides public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs for low-income women and families in the Baton Rouge area. Call 225-923-8100 or visit 4731 N Blvd to apply. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of income, and rental references. Waitlists may apply. The voucher program allows qualifying families to choose their own rental units from private landlords. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. DV survivors may qualify for priority placement.

225-923-8100 · 4731 N Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Habitat for Humanity — New Orleans — Free

Habitat for Humanity New Orleans helps qualifying low-to-moderate income families achieve affordable homeownership through sweat equity partnerships. Applicants must demonstrate need, willingness to partner by contributing volunteer hours, and ability to pay an affordable mortgage. Call 504-861-2077 or visit habitat-nola.org to learn about the application process. Bring proof of income, rental history, and ID. Located at 2900 Elysian Fields Ave. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Application windows open periodically.

504-861-2077 · 2900 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Shreveport Housing Authority — Free

Shreveport Housing Authority provides public housing units and Housing Choice Voucher assistance for low-income women and families in the Shreveport area. Call 318-709-2600 or visit the office at 2500 Line Ave to apply. Bring government-issued ID, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of income, and current landlord contact. Vouchers can be used at qualifying private rentals. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Ask about waitlist status and priority consideration for DV survivors and disabled individuals.

318-709-2600 · 2500 Line Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. Louisiana Community Action Association — Free

Louisiana Community Action Association coordinates a statewide network of community action agencies providing housing assistance, utility help, financial counseling, and emergency services for low-income women and families. Contact LACAA at 225-383-0852 or visit their Baton Rouge office to be connected with your nearest community action agency. Local agencies can assist with emergency rent, utility deposits, housing search, and referrals to other safety-net programs. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

225-383-0852 · 3200 Wooddale Blvd Suite C, Baton Rouge, LA 70805 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

7. LIHEAP Louisiana — Energy Assistance — Free

Louisiana LIHEAP helps low-income women and families pay heating and cooling utility bills and covers weatherization improvements to reduce future energy costs. Call 888-454-2001 or apply through the DCFS office. Income limits apply based on household size. Bring most recent utility bill, proof of income, ID, and Social Security cards for all household members. Apply before benefits run out each year as funds are limited. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Priority given to households with elderly, disabled, or very young children.

888-454-2001 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Salvation Army — Louisiana — Free

Salvation Army Louisiana provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, food assistance, and financial help for women and families in crisis across multiple Louisiana locations. Call 504-529-7792 or visit the nearest Salvation Army location for intake. Services include emergency rent and utility assistance, food boxes, clothing, and temporary shelter. Bring ID and documentation of need. Hours vary by location but most service programs run Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Visit salvationarmy.org to find your nearest location.

504-529-7792 · Multiple LA locations · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

9. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

HUD.gov is the federal housing assistance hub offering information on Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, homeless assistance programs, and fair housing rights. Use the office locator at hud.gov to find your nearest HUD field office. HUD also funds housing counseling agencies that provide free advice on renting, buying, or avoiding foreclosure. Women fleeing domestic violence may have special VAWA housing protections. Free to access 24/7 with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

HUD's homeless assistance page provides information on federal Continuum of Care programs, emergency shelters, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing in every US community. Use the CoC locator to find your local homeless services coordinator and emergency housing resources. Includes specific resources for domestic violence survivors, veterans, and families with children. Visit hud.gov/coc — free to access 24/7. Contact your local CoC to learn about housing availability and waitlists in your area.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides federal funding to states to help low-income women and families pay heating, cooling, and energy bills. Apply through your state LIHEAP office — search acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap for your state contact. Income limits typically up to 150% of federal poverty level. Bring utility bills, proof of income, and household member ID when applying. Funds are limited — apply early each program year. Weatherization assistance may also be available.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Salvation Army USA provides emergency shelter, rental and utility assistance, food programs, and transitional housing through nearly 7,600 service locations nationwide. Find your nearest location using the online locator at salvationarmyusa.org. Services are available to women and families in crisis regardless of background. Most locations require a brief intake interview. Bring ID, proof of need, and any eviction or utility shutoff notices. Hours vary by location; call ahead to confirm service availability.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Catholic Charities USA delivers emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, food, immigration services, and family support through local agencies in nearly every Catholic diocese nationwide. Services are open to all regardless of religion. Find your nearest agency at catholiccharitiesusa.org. Services include emergency rent and utility help, food pantries, refugee resettlement, counseling, and case management. Bring ID and documentation of your situation. Hours vary by location; call ahead for an appointment.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. United Way Worldwide — Free

United Way Worldwide coordinates local United Way organizations in every US community providing housing assistance, food programs, financial coaching, and referral services through 211. Call 211 in most areas to speak with a trained specialist who can connect you with local programs. United Ways fund childcare subsidies, emergency shelter, job training, and financial empowerment programs. Visit unitedway.org to find your local chapter and learn about direct services and community programs available to women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Habitat for Humanity creates affordable homeownership opportunities for working families nationwide through a sweat equity partnership model. Qualifying families contribute volunteer hours and pay an affordable, no-profit mortgage. Find your local affiliate and check open application windows at habitat.org. Bring proof of income, rental history, and ID when applying. Priority given to families in greatest housing need. Most local affiliates run application cycles once or twice yearly — check early to avoid missing deadlines.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Family Promise — Free

Family Promise is a national network of over 200 affiliates helping homeless and near-homeless families with children achieve stable, sustainable independence through emergency shelter, transitional services, and long-term case management. Find your local Family Promise affiliate at familypromise.org. Programs include emergency housing hosted in local congregations, life skills coaching, and employment support. Services are free for qualifying families. Contact the national office to locate services in your area.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Louisiana?
Women's Corner tracks 16 verified housing & financial resources for women in Louisiana.
Are housing & financial resources in Louisiana free?
16 of the 16 listed housing & financial resources in Louisiana are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Louisiana have housing & financial resources?
Listings span cities including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Louisiana?
Featured entries include Louisiana Housing Corporation, Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), East Baton Rouge Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity — New Orleans, Shreveport Housing Authority.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
8 of 16 Louisiana housing & financial listings include verified 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.