Housing Help
This article will go over some of the best ways to find housing help.
No matter what your situation is, there are government programs and non-profit companies that want to help out. Keep reading to see the best places to find affordable housing.
COVID-19 Rental Assistance
Now that the ban on evictions due to COVID-19 has ended, landlords can now evict renters who aren’t able to pay.
If you’re a renter or landlord, government programs can help you with rent money and other guidance based on your situation.
Go to HUD Office of Housing Counseling to learn more about the available services.
The Housing Choice Vouchers Program
The Housing Choice Vouchers Program (HCV) is available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
HUD helps families with low income, as well as seniors and people with disabilities pay for rental housing.
Your local public housing agency (PHA) determines if you’re eligible for this program based on the following: • Annual gross income
- Whether you qualify as a family, a senior, or a person with a disability
- U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status
- The size of your family
- Other factors
Public Housing
Public housing includes state-owned, affordable rental houses or apartments. It’s designed to support families with low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Because the demand for public housing is usually larger than the amount of available housing, there can be long waiting periods.
As with the Housing Choice Voucher Program, your eligibility is determined by your annual gross income, whether you qualify as a senior, person with a disability, or a family, and your U.S. citizenship or immigration status.
Contact your local Public Housing Authority to apply for both HCV and public housing.
Help with Home Repairs and Modifications
If you’re planning on repairing or renovating your home, there are government programs that can help make those improvements more affordable.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
WAP’s main goal is to improve the energy efficiency of homes, so families save money on heating and cooling costs.
Home Equity Loans
A home equity loan is a credit to your home that is used as collateral to borrow money.
This loan can be applied for big expenses such as education, medical bills, and home repairs.
But be careful, if you can’t pay back the loan, the lender could foreclose on your home.
There are two types of home equity loans:
- Lump sum: A one-time loan that usually has a fixed interest rate
- Revolving line of credit: You’re able to withdraw funds at any time. These typically have an adjustable interest rate.
Housing is a basic human need and you should make every effort to see what kind of assistance is out there. We hope that this article has given you the information you need to get housing help. As always, we do our best to provide you with the most accurate government resources information.