Housing is an expense that many people struggle with. In fact, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines affordable housing as being no more than 30% of a person’s income. If a household puts more than 30% of their income towards housing then they can be considered cost-burdened. If you are having a hard time keeping up with how much housing costs are then you’re not alone. The government also understands that people have a tough time with this. That is why they offer a variety of housing assistance programs.
Housing assistance programs are not available for everybody. Instead, they are only designed to help those that need a helpful boost of support. That is why there will be eligibility requirements around each of the programs that are listed below. However, the best way to confirm eligibility is by actually applying for the program itself. The best part is that the application for the following programs is free! That means that applying as soon as possible would be best so you can get support for your situation sooner without having to worry about application fees. Some available housing assistance programs include:
Public Housing
This housing program can give decent and safe rental housing to qualifying low-income households. The type of rentals available will vary depending on the area. However, it can be a single-family home or even a high rise apartment. The properties of this housing program are managed by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). Your local PHA will receive funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, your local PHA will actually be the ones to manage the program.
Public housing is only available to those that qualify. Your local PHA will determine eligibility based on factors like:
- Income Level
- Family Status
- Citizenship Status
Besides these factors, your local PHA will also consider references in order to make sure the members in your household would be good tenants. If you want to apply you will want to get in touch with your local PHA.
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Another popular option that people use for housing support is the Housing Choice Voucher Program. This program is also commonly referred to as Section 8 and provides eligible recipients with housing vouchers. These housing vouchers can be used at properties that accept them as a form of payment. They are designed to help the tenant handle the cost of rent.
However, the properties must also pass safety guidelines set by your local PHA. Just like Public Housing, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide funds to your local PHA. From there, your local PHA will handle the program from the application process to the day-to-day management of the assistance!
Continuum of Care (CoC)
This housing support opportunity is a local (or regional) agency that coordinates services and plans for housing funding. They do this to help households (like individuals or families) that are dealing with homelessness. Basically, you can view CoC as a community plan that can help deliver and organize housing services to meet the needs of the homeless population for the area they service. Some of the housing support that CoC can provide includes:
- Emergency Shelters
- Transitional Housing
- Permanent Housing
However the exact available support will vary by area. That is why if you are a household dealing with homelessness you will want to confirm what’s available for your location.
Bottom Line
There are a variety of available housing assistance programs that can help those in need. It’s all about finding the right opportunity for your situation. A great place to look for assistance is by checking out your local PHA. They will have information about federal, state, and local housing support opportunities available. In fact, they can even help you submit applications for programs as well!
