 TITLE: Assistance Programs for Underserved Communities CONTENT: Personal Finances and Housing\n-----------------------------\nSo many things can impact your wallet, and help with your finances and housing can come in many forms. Organizations may offer subsidized housing or utility payments, direct cash assistance, job training or financial education. Or they may provide access to legal experts who can help you understand and advocate for your rights as a consumer, renter or homeowner.\n*   **Benefits.gov**: This is a great starting place if you're looking for state or federal assistance, including help with housing, utilities, health care, disaster relief and personal finances. Use the benefits finder tool to find out which programs you may be eligible for.\n*   **Local legal aid**: Nonprofit legal clinics may be able to help you with finance- and housing-related legal questions.\n*   **Mission Asset Fund**: Offers 0% interest credit-building loan programs, business loans and loans for people who need help paying U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services application fees. There's also a free app with educational programs and tools available in multiple languages.\n*   **National Coalition for Asian Pacific Americans Community Development (CAPACD)**: The National CAPACD supports a variety of Asian American and Pacific Islander-focused community organizations. In turn, these organizations may offer services and programs to local community members. For example, the organization's Housing Counseling Network is made up of over a dozen agencies across the country that offer direct services to tenants and homeowners. You can search for a community organization in your state to see what resources it offers.\n*   **NID Housing Counseling Agency**: NID Housing is approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to offer housing counseling and education services online and in-person. Counselors can offer advice on a wide range of housing-related issues, including renting, buying a home and foreclosure. NID is also the official and preferred housing counseling agency of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).\n*   **Rent relief**: If you're having trouble making rent, or worry you will in the future, refer to our guide on what to do and where to find additional resources.\nYou can also find additional education and support from organizations that aren't focused on serving members of underserved groups. For example, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling can connect you with a nonprofit credit counseling agency and counselor who can help you create a budget, prepare to buy a home, understand bankruptcy or manage your debt. END