Skip to main content
Kinley Residential

Resident Resources

Having a hard time
paying rent?

You're not alone — and asking for help early makes a real difference. Below are local organizations in every city we manage that may be able to help with rent, utilities, food, or emergency housing. If you're a Kinley resident, please also reach out to your property manager as soon as you can; we'd much rather work with you than around you.

Statewide referral line

Dial 211 — NC United Way

Free and confidential, 24 hours a day. They'll connect you to the closest rent, utility, food, and crisis resources for your specific situation.

Works anywhere in North Carolina

Statewide programs

4 programs

NC 211 (United Way of North Carolina)

Free, confidential 24/7 referral line. Tell them your ZIP code and they'll point you to the closest rent, utility, and food assistance programs currently taking applications.

Legal Aid of North Carolina — Housing

Free legal help for renters facing eviction, unsafe conditions, or landlord disputes. Call early — before a court date if possible.

NC Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) & Crisis Intervention (CIP)

State-funded, one-time help with heating and cooling bills and utility shut-off crises. Apply through your county Department of Social Services (listed by city below).

Mecklenburg County

Charlotte

8 organizations

Crisis Assistance Ministry is the county's main entry point for emergency rent help. If you're already in court or several months behind, start with Legal Aid instead.

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Short-term emergency rent and utility assistance for income-qualified Mecklenburg County residents. Walk-in applications weekdays beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Community Link

Housing counseling, rapid re-housing, and rent/deposit assistance plus budget coaching to help households stay housed long term.

Mecklenburg County Coordinated Entry

Call if you're homeless or at imminent risk of losing housing in Mecklenburg County — the single access point for county housing programs.

Legal Aid of NC — Charlotte Office

Free eviction defense and tenant rights help for qualifying Mecklenburg County renters.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte

Emergency financial assistance toward rent and utilities, plus budget counseling. Services are open to everyone, regardless of faith.

Loaves & Fishes / Friendship Trays

Free groceries so more of your income can go toward rent — a practical stopgap while you wait on assistance.

Forsyth County

Clemmons

5 organizations

Crisis Control Ministry

Forsyth County's largest emergency assistance provider — rent/mortgage payments, utility help, food pantry, and free pharmacy. Phone and in-person interviews available.

Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR)

Rapid re-housing, rent and deposit assistance, and financial coaching for low-income Forsyth County families.

Cabarrus County

Concord

5 organizations

Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM)

Cabarrus County's main crisis agency — rent and utility assistance, food pantry, shelter, and housing case management.

Cabarrus Meals on Wheels / Community Free Clinic

Food and medical support that frees up household budget for rent. Free clinic: (704) 786-6108.

Gaston County

Gastonia

6 organizations

Crisis Assistance Ministry of Gastonia

Rent, utility, and food assistance for greater Gastonia households in a recent financial crisis. Applications are accepted Monday 9:00 a.m. through Thursday 2:00 p.m. while capacity lasts.

Salvation Army of Gaston County

Emergency rent, utility, and food assistance; also administers City of Gastonia rental assistance funds when available.

Gaston Community Action, Inc.

Community Services Block Grant programs — housing stability support, employment help, and emergency assistance for low-income households.

Catherine's House

Transitional housing and supportive services for women and children.

Catawba County

Hickory

6 organizations

Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry (GHCCM)

Rent, utility, prescription, and food assistance for Catawba County residents.

Salvation Army of Hickory

Emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities.

Hickory Soup Kitchen Hope Center

Meals, job placement, and transportation support that help households get back to steady income.

Western Piedmont Council of Governments — Area Agency on Aging

Housing, utility, and caregiver resources for residents 60+ in Catawba, Caldwell, Burke, and Alexander counties.

Caldwell County

Hudson

4 organizations

Yokefellow of Caldwell County

Emergency assistance with rent, power, and water bills, plus food and household goods for Caldwell County residents.

Salvation Army of Caldwell County

Emergency rent and utility help for county households.

Western Piedmont Community Action / WPCOG

Community Services Block Grant support, weatherization, and utility assistance for low-income Caldwell County households.

Caldwell County

Lenoir

4 organizations

Yokefellow of Caldwell County

Emergency crisis assistance for Lenoir residents — rent, power, and water bills, plus food and clothing.

Shelter Home of Caldwell County

Emergency shelter, housing support, and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence.

Caldwell County Habitat / Home Repair Resources

Critical home repair and housing counseling referrals for owners and renters in unsafe conditions.

Lincoln County

Lincolnton

4 organizations

Christian Ministry of Lincoln County

Emergency services for Lincoln County residents including rent and utility assistance, soup kitchen, and home-delivered meals.

Salvation Army Lincoln County Service Center

Emergency rent and utility help.

Cleveland County

Shelby

5 organizations

Salvation Army of Cleveland County

Emergency rent and utility assistance for households in need.

Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association — Hope House

Church-network emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and food for Cleveland County families.

Programs, eligibility, and funding can change without notice. Please call ahead to confirm current availability. Kinley Residential provides this list as a community resource and is not affiliated with the organizations above.