How to Sign Up for HUD Housing

Breaking the bank

President Barack Obama recently signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, clearing the way for more than $13.61 billion to be allocated to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The act grants money for state, local and city governments to disperse to communities and people in need of a variety of housing services. If you need assistance, help is available.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone Computer

Instructions

The Steps

1. Click "Buying" on the HUD home page. Many homes are available for purchase through HUD. Under "Nine Steps to Buying a Home," click No. 4, "Learn About Homebuying Programs," then click "Homebuying Programs in Your State." Contact HUD's approved counseling center agencies. They can help you find alternatives to foreclosure.
   Through the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, you could qualify for a "Special Making Home Affordable Loan" modification or obtain help to reduce your mortgage through refinance.
   Click on the link titled "Foreclosure" to find the closest counseling agency on the interactive U.S. map. Housing counseling is free of charge.

2. Rent through HUD. Contact your local city housing authority. HUD works with private apartment owners through the granting of subsidies to offer low-income residents reduced rental rates.
   On the home page of the HUD website, click on the public housing link. Depending on your income you could qualify for public housing assistance or housing choice vouchers (sect 8).
   Call your local housing authority using the information from the drop box menu or interactive U.S. map located on the site page.
   You can also contact the HUD helpline (1-800-569-4287) if you need advice on housing services.

3. Get housing for the homeless. If you are homeless or endanger of becoming homeless, HUD can offer assistance through local agencies. Under the homeless link on the HUD site, click on local homeless assistance. Then click on your state of residence to find emergency rental assistance or shelter information.

4. Get rehab mortgage insurance (repairs). If you meet the qualifications stipulated by HUD, you could have your existing home or future home repaired or rehabilitated through HUD. From the HUD homepage, click on the home improvement link.
   Directly under the "federal loan program" title, click on "program description" above HUD rehabilitation and repair. This new page will give a full description on the program and also provides a link to search for approved lenders and a more detailed brochure about the program.
   For emergency home repairs, try your local city government website. Housing repair services may be directly listed on the site, but you may have to navigate a bit depending on the design of your city's home website.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're interested in keeping track of HUD updates on housing services in your community, sign up online for their mailing list. On the home page, click "mailing list" and follow the instructions.

References

• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Houston Housing Authority

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• National Homeless Organization