How to Obtain Subsidized Rent
Subsidized rent is offered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and processed by local housing authorities across the country. The program is meant to help families who are struggling to afford safe housing. Recipients of subsidized rent pay a portion of their adjusted gross income to the landlord while the housing authority provides a voucher to cover the remaining rent. Once approved for subsidized rent, recipients must find an apartment or home to rent and it must be inspected by the local housing authority.
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Instructions
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Contact your local housing authority. Your county's website will have contact information for the housing authority or you can locate it in the government section of your phone book.
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Complete the application for Section 8 housing.Some housing authorities also offer public housing, which operates according to different guidelines and uses separate applications. While the rent is still subsidized, the qualifications are often stricter and income limits lower.
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Turn in the application and provide copies of Social Security cards for everyone in your household. Your name will be placed on a waiting list if funds are not immediately available.
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Respond to the housing authority when you are contacted because you are next on the list. If you don't respond within a set period, your name will be removed from the waiting list and you will have to start the application process again.
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Provide the housing authority with all the paperwork it requests. You will need birth certificates for everyone in the house, proof of income and a criminal background check.
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Complete an orientation class once you are approved for subsidized housing. If you do not complete the orientation, your case will be closed and no housing help offered.
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Find an apartment or house and requestthat the housing authority inspect the property. Pay the security deposit and sign the lease. The housing department will send a check or make a direct deposit each month for its portion of the rent.
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Tips & Warnings
Your local housing authority will have area-specific rules that you must follow.
Failing to update contact information will result in you being removed from the waiting list.
