How to Find Subsidized Housing

Subsidized housing is designed to help people with low and moderate incomes live in safe and decent housing. Subsidies are offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Benefits Statement
• Income Tax Returns
• Phone Book
• Calculators
• Pay Stub
• Pads Of Paper
• Calculators

1. Go to your local housing authority office. Find it by looking in the government section of the phone book under Housing and Urban Development.

2. Ask workers at the housing authority office for information about Section 8. This is a federal rental subsidy geared toward very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled.

3. Fill out a subsidy application. This will help determine whether you're eligible for either full or partial assistance under HUD's Section 8 program. (This is determined by your family size, income and special needs.)

4. Request a list of Section 8 properties in the area. Some will be government-owned and some will be privately owned.

5. Find out whether the properties operate under the rental certificate program or the rental voucher program. Both are Section 8 programs.

6. Call on the landlords or managers of the properties to find one that fits your needs. Ask housing authority officials about other state and local subsidized housing programs.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to document your application with pay stubs, benefits statement, income tax returns and birth certificates.
• Expect to be put on a waiting list unless you fall under a preferential category. Preference is given to people who are homeless or living in substandard housing, are paying more than 50 percent of their income in rent or have been involuntarily displaced.
• Under the certificate program, families won't pay more than 30 percent of their adjusted gross income for a regulated rent price. Under the voucher program, rents are not government-controlled, which means that more or less than 30 percent of your monthly pay will go toward rent and utilities, depending on the rental amount.
• Subsidized housing requires you fall within certain income criteria and has rules that apply to the receiving of funds. Failure to adhere to these rules may make you ineligible for benefits.

[momee]

on 2/9/2009 Thankfully there are programs like this to help.I was recently denied after a year of being on the list because of my back round, It almost broke my heart i needed it so bad. I have been working really hard to change my life around. it seems that the people who are in real need for help have a hard time in getting it if at all and the folks that don't really need it and cheat the system they get it. Thank God I was reconsidered because someone did notice all the hard work I have been doing for my kids and I, after I wrote an appeal. Don't give up

[Rosa1057]

on 1/5/2009 how do I find out if the place i am staying is subsidized through the state or a private organization?

[johnnasimmons]

on 8/13/2008 i meant sounded like i couldnt take care of him and i can dont read to much into this

[johnnasimmons]

on 8/13/2008 ok i have a job and i just dont have a place to stay that i can afford i make min wage i have enough to care for my son just upuntil now a home we dont have i was staying with my fiance until 2 days ago i just need some advice to help me out that first letter sound like i could take care of my son and i wanted to let you know it aint like that

[johnnasimmons]

on 8/13/2008 how do i apply for this i have a one yr old no family of my own and his father really aint in the picture much. right now i have no where to live and the shelters our filled what do i do i need help im staying on a friends couch and my son with his grandmother who has poor living conditions my name is johnna simmons and i need help i have yahoo and myspace find me and i will listen