Paying for housing expenses can be overwhelming for many people. This is why the federal government provides a wide range of housing assistance programs. In this article, you can find some interesting information about some popular housing assistance options in the US. The following housing assistance programs are administered by the federal government, although they are implemented locally. This means that these programs might differ from one state to another.
Public Housing
This is a type of federal government rental property. It can be a variety of different types of housing, such as an apartment complex, a cluster of houses, etc. This will be determined by your location. The complexes are funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), although they are managed by local Housing Agencies (HAs).
You must meet the standards of the local HA in order to sign the lease. When you sign the lease, it’s very similar to moving into a private landlord-owned unit. The eligibility requirements for this program include:
- Meeting the income limits in your area.
- Providing references and passing a background check
- Being a US citizen or a legal immigrant.
Almost one million households currently live in public housing, according to HUD. It is important to keep in mind that the number of these units is limited. Long waitlists are common before a unit becomes available for a new tenant. Due to the high demand for public housing and a low supply, you may have to wait a while. However, once you do become a tenant you can typically stay in these units as long as you comply with your lease!
Section 8
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8 Assistance, is a well-known program. This program provides you with a voucher that you can use to pay for rent at any location that accepts vouchers and passes state inspections. Section 8 is a program in which a qualifying tenant receives a voucher that pays a portion of their rent.
Typically, your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) determines the amount of aid you will get depending on your eligibility. It will take factors into consideration like your income level and family status. Both of these factors are important because it can give your local PHA a better view of your level of financial need. For example, an individual that makes $35,000 a year will typically be better off than a family of 5 that makes the same amount. Even though specific eligibility varies by state, you can generally expect the following factors to be considered:
- Income Level
- Family Status
- Eviction History
- Citizenship Status
How Can I Apply for Housing Assistance Programs?
The application process is so different from state to state. Some states accept online applications, while others only accept applications sent by mail or in-person. Therefore, the best you can do is to contact your local PHA. They can help you figure out what you need to qualify for these programs. Just make sure you have some likely necessary documents ready before applying like:
- Social Security numbers for each member of your family
- Your driver’s license or another government-issued identification
- Pay stubs from the previous few months or other forms of evidence of income
- A copy of your most recent bank statement
Conclusion
In summary, housing bills might be difficult to manage, causing stress. However, there may be more support than you realize. The government understood this issue and as a result, assistance alternatives have been designed. All you have to do is check out each of them to determine which one can assist you and apply for it.
