Top 15 Nonprofits in Miami Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2027
South Florida rent is brutal, FPL bills spike when the AC runs nine months a year, and insurance and car costs keep climbing. If one surprise expense has you behind, you're far from alone, and there's real help out there. Greater Miami has nonprofits that cover rent, utilities, groceries, and free eviction defense.
This guide covers the whole metro: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, from Homestead to Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. We focused on nonprofits with structured help for rent, utility bills, food, and legal aid.
Most programs serve one county, and funding can open and close fast. Call early, ask what's available right now, and keep your ID, lease, and bills handy. Details reflect what each organization publishes as of October 2026.
How We Chose These Nonprofits in Miami
We included 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based charities like Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul. Each one serves the metro, runs a structured aid program, and publishes clear contact info. We ranked them on Impact, Accessibility, Reputation, Transparency, and Equity (serving people regardless of faith, status, or background).
We gave extra weight to rent and utility help, not just food, and spread picks across all three counties. We did not use Google ratings; trust signals come from each organization's own published information as of October 2026.
1. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami
Emergency financial help for Miami-Dade households at risk of losing housing.
Primary assistance: Rent, mortgage, and utility help; food; case management
Best for: Miami-Dade residents with an eviction notice or late rent, mortgage, or utility bill
How to get help: Appointments at 305-573-3333; Catholic Charities info
You'll need proof of Miami-Dade residency, the notice or late bill, and proof of hardship. Help depends on available funds, so call as soon as you fall behind.
Trust signals: A long-standing archdiocesan agency serving people of all faiths.
2. Society of St. Vincent de Paul South Florida
Volunteer parish groups that help with rent and FPL bills.
Primary assistance: Rent and utility help, food, clothing, referrals
Best for: Miami-Dade and Broward families who need a one-time boost
How to get help: 954-395-6817; svdpsouthflorida.org
The council connects you to the nearest parish Conference, and volunteers usually meet by appointment. Services are free.
Trust signals: Organized through local Catholic parish Conferences; help is free and offered regardless of faith.
3. The Salvation Army of Broward County
Emergency assistance and food support across Broward.
Primary assistance: Emergency financial assistance, housing support, food programs
Best for: Broward residents facing a short-term crisis
How to get help: 1445 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312; Fort Lauderdale Corps (954) 712-2460; salvationarmyflorida.org
Rent and utility help is typically one-time and depends on funding, so call to ask what's open this week.
Trust signals: Lists multiple Broward locations and a mission to serve without discrimination.
4. Camillus House
Miami-Dade's homelessness prevention partner for tenants facing court-ordered eviction.
Primary assistance: Homelessness prevention assistance, shelter access, basic needs
Best for: Miami-Dade renters at immediate risk of losing housing
How to get help: Homeless Prevention Helpline 1-877-994-4357 (choose your language, then press 1); camillus.org
A Helpline specialist screens you for prevention programs. Emergency shelters in Miami-Dade don't take walk-ins, so the Helpline is also the front door for shelter.
Trust signals: Serving Miami-Dade since 1960; posts financials and annual reports.
5. Legal Services of Greater Miami
Free civil legal help for Miami-Dade and Monroe.
Primary assistance: Free civil legal representation, including housing cases
Best for: Low-income Miami-Dade tenants with an eviction or housing problem
How to get help: Miami-Dade (305) 576-0080; Monroe (866) 686-2760; 4343 W. Flagler St., Suite 100, Miami, FL 33134; legalservicesmiami.org
Apply as soon as you get court papers. Help is offered in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
Trust signals: Says it is recognized as one of the most outstanding legal services programs; helps thousands of people each year.
6. Legal Aid Service of Broward County
Eviction defense for Broward tenants.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, landlord-tenant help, foreclosure prevention
Best for: Broward tenants who've been served with an eviction summons
How to get help: 954-765-8950 (Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.); 491 N. State Road 7, Plantation, FL 33317; browardlegalaid.org
Bring the front page of your eviction summons and your lease. If you only got a 3-day notice, call rather than coming in. Legal Aid doesn't provide rent money.
Trust signals: Publishes clear eviction intake steps and a full program directory.
7. Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
Rapid Response eviction help in Palm Beach County.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, mediation, settlement help, tenant rights education
Best for: Palm Beach County renters within 250% of the federal poverty level
How to get help: 561-655-8944 (Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.); toll-free 800-403-9353; 423 Fern St., Suite 200, West Palm Beach; legalaidpbc.org
Emergencies should call, not use the online form. Staff resolve nonpayment disputes through mediation and settlements.
Trust signals: Founded in 1949; serves 8,000+ clients a year with 21 programs.
8. Feeding South Florida
The region's food bank, with benefits help built in.
Primary assistance: Choice pantry, SNAP, TCA, Medicaid, and KidCare application help
Best for: Anyone in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach who needs groceries
How to get help: Client services (appointment needed) Broward and Miami-Dade 954-518-1857, Palm Beach 561-659-5070; feedingsouthflorida.org
Staff help you apply for or renew benefits and pick food from the choice pantry. Getting SNAP set up frees up cash for rent.
Trust signals: Main warehouse at 2501 SW 32nd Terrace, Pembroke Park; runs a dedicated Palm Beach County branch.
9. Farm Share
Free fresh food distributions across South Florida.
Primary assistance: Free food distributions and pantry support
Best for: Miami-Dade and Broward families who need groceries fast
How to get help: (305) 246-3276; 14125 SW 320th St., Homestead, FL 33033; farmshare.org
Use the Find Food tool to see upcoming distributions near you.
Trust signals: 501(c)(3) with its federal tax ID published.
10. CROS Ministries
Palm Beach County's interfaith hunger ministry.
Primary assistance: Seven food pantries, hot meals through the Caring Kitchen
Best for: Palm Beach County families short on groceries
How to get help: (561) 233-9009; 3677 23rd Ave. S., #B-101, Lake Worth Beach; crosministries.org
Check the pantry list for the location and hours closest to you.
Trust signals: Founded in 1978 by United Methodist churches; posts financials.
11. Boca Helping Hands
South Palm Beach County's go-to for meals and groceries.
Primary assistance: Hot meals, pantry bags, homebound meals, KidsPack weekend meals
Best for: Boca Raton–area residents
How to get help: (561) 417-0913; 1500 NW 1st Ct., Boca Raton, FL 33432; bocahelpinghands.org
Register for the Pantry Bag program and check current hours online. Workforce training is offered too.
Trust signals: Florida charity registration CH-14764; posts statistics and financials.
12. Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS)
Miami-Dade's safety net and the team behind 211 Miami.
Primary assistance: 211 Miami helpline, kosher food bank, older adult case management with financial assistance
Best for: Miami-Dade residents who need a referral fast, plus seniors needing ongoing support
How to get help: JCS Access 305-576-6550; dial 211 in Miami-Dade; jcsfl.org
JCS runs free, confidential, 24/7 helplines for Miami-Dade and Monroe through 211 Miami and 988.
Trust signals: Serving South Florida since 1920; CARF-accredited; posts financials and annual reports.
13. HOPE South Florida
A faith-rooted Broward housing nonprofit.
Primary assistance: Housing programs and supportive services for families in crisis
Best for: Broward families who are homeless or about to be
How to get help: Start with the Broward Homeless Helpline at 954-563-4357; hopesouthflorida.org
HOPE takes referrals directly from Broward County, so the Helpline call is your first step.
Trust signals: Roots go back to 1995; posts financials.
14. Urban League of Palm Beach County
HUD-approved housing counseling for renters and buyers.
Primary assistance: Housing counseling, financial literacy, savings coaching
Best for: Palm Beach County renters trying to stay housed or plan ahead
How to get help: 561-833-1461; 1700 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407 (Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.); ulpbctc.org
Counselors help you build a budget and keep stable housing.
Trust signals: 25+ years of HUD-approved housing counseling; posts finances.
15. Hispanic Unity of Florida
Calls itself South Florida's largest nonprofit serving immigrants.
Primary assistance: SNAP, Medicaid, and health insurance application help; free tax prep; housing guidance
Best for: Broward families, including immigrants, who need benefits help
How to get help: 954-964-8884; 5840 Johnson St., Hollywood, FL 33021; hispanicunity.org
Staff walk you through benefit applications step by step, which can free up money for rent.
Trust signals: Founded in 1982; publishes annual reports and Form 990.
Other Important Helplines and Resources in Miami
211: Dial 211 in any county. Miami-Dade's line is run by JCS; Broward residents can search 211broward.org and Palm Beach residents 211palmbeach.org.
ACCESS Florida: Apply for SNAP, cash assistance, and Medicaid at myaccess.myflfamilies.com.
Florida Law Help: Free legal information and a legal aid finder at floridalawhelp.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Money stress is heavy. Call or text 988 any time, or visit 988lifeline.org.
Related Guides
Looking for more options in and around Miami? These guides cover churches and nonprofits helping with rent, food, and utility bills:
Closing Thoughts
Falling behind in South Florida doesn't mean you messed up. Rent, FPL, and groceries all hit at once, and that's happening to a lot of people. Pick two or three groups from this list that serve your county, call early, and keep copies of your ID, lease, and bills ready.
If you've been served eviction papers, call legal aid the same day. You deserve help, and asking for it is a strong move.
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