Behind On Rent & Utilities

If you’re facing financial hardships and need help with rent and utilities to help you stay afloat, Stark County offers various programs to assist. Review the options available and reach out to find out which programs might work best for you.

Emergency funds & help with utilities

Stark County Community Action Agency

Emergency HEAP Appointment Line: 330-617-1055 Summer & Winter Crisis PIPP Offers employment services, financial support and career counseling to the Stark County community. Head Start HEAP HWAP (Home Weatherization) Work Force Development

Catholic Charities

Emergency rental  assistance for Stark County residents (under 65): visit ccdoy.org to fill out a pre-screening application  Through tangible assistance and other essential services, Catholic Charities affirms human dignity, meets basic human needs, strengthens families, builds communities, and empowers others to transform their lives. Basic Needs Assistance
  • utilities, rent, food pantry, hygiene/taxable items, & birth certificates
First Step Family Support
  • material assistance for infants & toddlers, & their families birth through age 3. Such as diapers, formula, clothing & other infant care items (partnered with Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank), case management, parenting support/education
Emergency Furniture Program
  • In partnership with the Habitat for Humanity Restore ECO, furniture assistance for those exiting homelessness, fleeing Domestic Violence, or those that have suffered a housing disaster
Senior Rent & Mortgage Assistance
  • Must be a resident of Stark County, age 65 and above, under 200% of Federal Poverty Guidlines, and have a lease/mortage holder
  • To be pre-screened over the phone for our senior housing program, please call 10:00AM-4:00PM * Monday through Friday
832 McKinley Ave NW
Suite C
Canton, OH 44703
Phone: (330) 491-0896
Hide HoursShow Hours
Mon.
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Tue.
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wed.
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thu.
8:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Fri.
8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Salvation Army of Alliance

Serving the Alliance community:
  • Hot meal program
  • Food pantries
  • Clothing
  • Shelters
  • Rent assistance
  • Utility assistance
  • Programs for adults and youth
  • Holiday/Christmas assistance - visit saangeltree.org to apply
57 West Main St.
Alliance, OH 44601
Phone: (330) 823-5188
Hide HoursShow Hours
Mon.
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Tue.
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wed.
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thu.
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fri.
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Salvation Army of Canton

Serving the Canton community: Hot meal program Food pantries Clothing Shelters Rent assistance Utility assistance Programs for adults and youth  
420 Market Ave. S
Canton, OH 44702
Phone: (330) 453-0158
Hide HoursShow Hours
Mon.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Tue.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Wed.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Thu.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Fri.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Salvation Army of Massillon

Serving the Massillon community:
  • Hot meal program
  • Food pantries
  • Clothing
  • Shelters
  • Rent assistance
  • Utility assistance
  • Programs for adults and youth
  • Holiday/Christmas assistance - visit saangeltree.org to apply
315 6th St. NE
Massillon, OH 44646
Phone: (330) 833-6473
Hide HoursShow Hours
Mon.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tue.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wed.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thu.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fri.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Stark County Job & Family Services

Report child abuse: 330-455-KIDS / 1-800-233-5437 Partner with our customers, community and other service providers to protect children and vulnerable adults, stabilize and strengthen families, and encourage self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.
  • Cash assistance
  • Food assistance
  • Medicaid & Medical
  • Non-emergency transportation - Transportation to and from Medicaid-qualified appointments, including doctor visits, dental visits, vision appointments and more.
  • Child care services
  • Work experience program - Program participants are matched with local businesses and organizations in exchange for public assistance benefits.
  • Subsidized Employment Program (SEP) - Supports local employers by offsetting the costs of hiring and training new employees.
  • Foster care & adoption
  • Kinship care
  • Child support services
  • Project KARE
  • Healthy Start - Medicaid-funded program providing basic medical coverage for pregnant women and children up to 19 years old.
  • PRC Plan - providing short-term assistance to address an emergent need and help families retain and maintain employment.
221 3rd St. SE
Canton, OH 44702
Toll free: 1 (888) 698-6893
Toll free: 1 (888) 698-6893
Local: (330) 452-4661
TDD: (330) 451-8879
Hide HoursShow Hours
Mon.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tue.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wed.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thu.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fri.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Goodwill Industries

Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that create job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items. The Ken Weber Community Campus has walk-in services available Tuesdays and Thursdays for community resource connections. For further information on what Goodwill has to offer, please call our main campus or visit our website. Thrift Store Locations
  • Alliance 12501 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601 330-821-4880
  • Massillon 2745 Indian River Rd, Massillon, OH 44646 330-833-9825
  • Whipple Ave NW 4379 Whipple Ave NW, Canton, OH 44718 234-360-8564
  • Tuscarawas St W 5139 Tuscarawas St W, Canton, OH 44708 330-479-8222
  • N Main St 1230 N Main St, North Canton, OH 44720 330-494-2464
  • Atlantic Blvd NW 2630 Atlantic Blvd NW, Canton, OH 44705 330-456-8020
Main Campus: (330) 454-9461
Main Campus: (330) 454-9461

YWCA Canton

Provides emergency shelter to the homeless and tools to help them get back on their feet and become self-sufficient Also provides early care and education services to children that enhance their development and prepare them to be successful as they transition to kindergarten To be placed in housing you must first register with the homeless hotline by calling 330-452-4363 Early Childhood Learning Center Quality care and education to children ages 6 weeks to 11 years 330-453-7644 Early Head Start Provides year-round child care for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years (including those with disabilities) whose families are homeless and/or live below the poverty line Partnership with THRIVE To support and promote healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. We have a Community Health Worker on-site as an integral member of our team to educate and provide support to our clients. Housing Services To be placed in housing you must first register with the homeless hotline by calling 330-452-4363
  • Emergency Shelter for Women and Children - shelter for up to 90 days
  • Permanent Supportive Housing - low barrier affordable housing for disabled, chronically homeless persons paired with support services
  • Stark Area Rapid Re-Housing - program to connect eligible households with permanent housing quickly – short-term financial assistance and supportive services
231 6th St. NE
Canton, OH 44702
Phone: (330) 453-7644
Hide HoursShow Hours
Sun.
8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Mon.
8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Tue.
8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Wed.
8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thu.
8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Fri.
8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sat.
8:00 am - 9:00 pm

Percentage Income Payment Plan (PIPP)

Program providing customers with consistent utility payments year-round.
Toll-free: 1 (800) 282-0880
Toll-free: 1 (800) 282-0880
TDD: 1 (800) 686-155
Hide HoursShow Hours
Mon.
7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Tue.
7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Wed.
7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Thu.
7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Fri.
7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

Referrals to organizations offering utility payment assistance.
180 East Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (800) 686-7826
Hide HoursShow Hours
Mon.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tue.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wed.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thu.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri.
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Stark County Homeless Hotline

24/7 Hotline: 330-452-4363 For referrals to free community shelters and other local housing programs. Please allow enough phone time for specialists to conduct an initial assessment review to find information and programs that work best for your needs. The homeless hotline number is a part of Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery.
24/7 Hotline: (330) 452-4363
24/7 Hotline: (330) 452-4363
Hide HoursShow Hours
Mon.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Tue.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Wed.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Thu.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Fri.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm