Did you know housing is an area where many Americans overspend? Sadly, it’s true. Experts recommend families only spend up to 30% of their gross income on housing. When households spend more than that then they can find themselves cost-burdened. When households are cost-burdened they may find that they have a hard time affording other necessities like health care costs, food, transportation, etc. That is why it is important to get on the path towards affordable housing regardless of what situation you are dealing with.
There are a variety of opportunities available for people to start towards affordable housing. While there are government support opportunities, there are also other assistance options to consider. This article is going to go over some of the ways that people are able to get affordable housing or get the resources they need to begin their journey!
Before Starting Your Path Towards Affordable Housing
Before diving into some affordable housing options, you will want to make sure you know what it means to have affordable housing for your specific situation. That means understanding your finances! You will want to see how much you are making every month. Remember, the affordable housing definition that was mentioned above talks about gross income. That means any income you bring in before taxes (and any other expenses) are applied! For example, let’s say you work 40 hours a week at $15 an hour. That means that every week you would be bringing in $600. If you multiply that by 4 weeks you would be at $2,400 for the whole month in gross income. In order for your housing to be considered affordable, you would need to make sure that it is no more than $720 a month. That will be hard to achieve especially considering that the average American renter spends $1,326 a month on housing. That is where affordable housing resources aim to help!
What Affordable Housing Resources are Available?
There may be more hope for your situation than you realize. Some affordable housing opportunities that you will want to consider include:
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, is a federal housing voucher program that assists low-income individuals and families get affordable housing. Even though it is a federal housing program that is offered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), it is managed locally by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). With this program, the local PHA covers a portion of a person’s rent through the form of vouchers. Generally, the remaining portion that a recipient will have to pay is 30%. One of the best parts of this program is the fact that it gives recipients the opportunity to choose their housing unit. However, properties must accept these vouchers as a form of payment. Not only that, but the properties must pass an inspection that the local PHA will conduct. This is to ensure that the standards of the property meet PHA requirements.
Keep in Mind
Not everyone qualifies for this program. Instead, there are eligibility requirements. While the specific eligibility requirements will vary by area, there are generally four factors that your local PHA will consider. These four factors include: your citizenship status, your eviction history, your household size, and your income level.
You should keep in mind that your household size and your income level are interlinked, since both aspects decide the amount of financial assistance you will receive. For example, an individual making $30,000 a year will have an easier time handling housing costs than a family of four that makes the same amount. If you want to apply for this program you will need to submit your application at your local PHA. They will also be able to answer any questions you have about the program! Once you apply, you will likely be waitlisted. The wait-list could take years, so that is an important aspect to keep in mind if you need urgent assistance.
Public Housing
Another affordable housing opportunity that HUD offers is public housing. This is a housing support opportunity that aims to help qualifying low income households. Even though this is a HUD program, local housing authorities (HAs) are the ones to manage the public housing units. Specific eligibility requirements will vary depending on the area. However, you can expect them to consider qualifications like your:
- Yearly gross income
- Family status
- Citizenship status
If you qualify you can also expect your HA to confirm references that will make sure your household will be a good tenant. Even if you meet all other qualifications, your HA has the right to deny you this housing assistance if they think your habits or practices can have a negative effect on other public housing recipients. If you want to apply for this program you will need to get in touch with your local HA. However, you can also reach out to your local HUD Field office.
Supportive Housing
Even though this isn’t necessarily a HUD housing support opportunity, it is still a great opportunity to find housing within your means. Some types of supportive housing include these four options:
- Emergency Shelters
- Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
- Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)
- Transitional Shelters
Emergency Shelters
Households can find themselves dealing with emergency situations that could be so bad that they result in homelessness. That is where emergency shelters come into the picture. When people need support immediately, these shelters can help. The goal of these shelters is to provide short-term stability to those in need. How long people can stay in these shelters will vary depending on the shelter.
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Individuals that chronically deal with homelessness may be able to benefit from Permanent Supportive Housing. In order for someone to be considered chronically homeless they will need to live in:
- Places that are not habitable for humans (for a minimum of 12 months or at least in 4 separate instances over the span of 3 years where the overall total length is 12 months.)
- Emergency Shelters (for a minimum of 12 months or at least in 4 separate instances over the span of 3 years where the overall total length is 12 months.)
- Safe Havens (for a minimum of 12 months or at least in 4 separate instances over the span of 3 years where the overall total length is 12 months.)
- Care Facilities that are Institutional (for no more than 90 days and also have lived in the options listed above before arriving at the facility.)
Sadly, many chronically homeless individuals have disabilities. That is why this type of long-term housing support is so helpful. On top of stable and safe housing, it provides a wide variety of support opportunities. Since this is a “housing first solution”, it aims to provide support as soon as possible while encouraging individuals to be independent.
Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)
Another supportive housing option that aims to give people housing immediately is RRH. This is also a “housing first solution”. However, this opportunity aims to support those that don’t typically deal with homelessness. When individuals don’t usually deal with homelessness it is known as non-chronic homelessness. RRH can provide affordable housing and support services to those in need.
Transitional Shelters
Last but not least on this list is transitional shelters. This is a longer temporary housing opportunity for those dealing with tough times. That’s because individuals can usually stay in these shelters for 6 to 24 months. However, the exact timeframe will vary depending on the shelter! Transitional shelters aim to help homeless individuals while providing support services that can help people with their health, employment, and more.
Bottom Line
When you are in need of affordable housing, there may be more support than you realize. Before looking for affordable housing, you want to make sure you have a clear understanding of your budget. This can help you get a better idea of what would be right for your situation! When it comes to affordable housing, some opportunities that are worth considering include:
- Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
- Public Housing
- Supportive Housing
Besides these opportunities, there may even be nonprofit options to consider. Some great free resources to check out include 211.org and Habitat for Humanity. For more information, you will want to get in touch with a professional. Your local PHA is a great place to start!
