How to Find Affordable Housing

The United Way of America has identified finding affordable housing as being one of the most serious problems families face today. Some families pay more than half their monthly income on rent - sometimes in severely substandard homes. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has determined that no more than 30 percent of income should go toward housing costs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Calculators
• Local Newspapers

1. Figure out 30 percent of your monthly household income. This is the guideline that HUD uses to define "affordable" and will help you determine what you should pay for housing costs.
2. Look in rental guides and classified ads and on the Internet for available apartments and other rentals in your price range.
3. Contact your local HUD office to get a list of low-cost properties in your area. You can find the office by looking in the government pages of the phone book.
4. Consider other options such as combining with another family and pooling your money to pay rent.
5. Move to an area where rents are more affordable.
6. Fill out an application to determine whether you're eligible for a housing subsidy.

Tips & Warnings

• Affordable housing doesn't mean substandard housing. Your paying rent obligates a landlord to take reasonable steps to make sure the property is kept up. Properties affiliated with HUD must follow government rules regarding keeping properties in good condition. Know your rights.