By Cynthia Heirs
HELPS Housing Volunteer
Here are some tips in finding subsidized housing (housing based on your income and subsidized by Federal or State programs to make it affordable).
1. Contact your county housing authority where you want to live. They usually have a list of
subsidized housing for that county. Call and ask them to send you a list and an application for the types of subsidies they offer. Many offer Public Housing. Some of the Public Housing units are just for seniors and disabled person. Many offer Section 8 assistance that will allow assistance to stay in the home you are in. If you own a mobile home you may qualify for space rent assistance. Landlords are not required to take a Section 8 Voucher. The housing authority may also know of other properties in the county, managed by companies that offer subsidies.
Note: Most subsidies are based on your income and only charge you 30 percent of your adjusted monthly gross income minus a utility allowance.
2. If you have a senior and/ or disabled case worker, contact your case worker and see if they can send you a list of apartments in the area that are subsidized.
3. Look on the internet and type in “subsided housing” in the city you want to live in and see what information is available, e.g.: “subsidized housing, Fresno, CA”.
4. USDA Rural Development also has many properties that offer subsidized housing. The priority for many of their lists depends on your income. Some priorities are based on employment.
This best website to find this information throughout the United States concerning USDA rural development housing is: http://rdmfhrentals.sc.egov.usda.gov Once you get to the site page you will see a map showing all the states. Click on the state you want, and then click on the county. You will see a list of apartments in each city that has USDA housing, showing how many units they offer, size of units, and if they are subsidized or not. Some will even state if they are family units or senior units. Then you would contact the manager of that complex and request an application. Be sure to talk slowly and leave a complete name and address including zip codes so they will have the information. You should check back in a few days to confirm they have received your message.
You can contact places all over the United States, but before you move ask for pictures and check out blogs on the internet to see what people say about the apartments. Call the Chamber of Commerce and ask questions. You can never ask too many questions.
Good Luck!!
Sincerely, Cynthia
HELPS is a nonprofit law firm for seniors and disabled persons on a protected income who are being harassed for debts they can't pay. We're committed to educating people about their financial rights so they don't needlessly pay their collectors with money that should be used for food, heating, medicine, and other basic necessities.
This blog will be updated every Friday with articles and relevant information.
