How To Get Low-Income Housing With No Waiting List

Shelter is one of the basic human needs aside from food and clothing, but for some people, getting an affordable house can be quite tasking due to low income and a list of other factors.

Low-income earners face a lot of restrictions with getting affordable housing since the rents are increased almost all the time and they also have to cater for food, school fees with those that have kids, and other basic needs apart from paying the house rent as at when due.

Although, facing the reality of low income does not mean you can not get affordable housing as the government has put in place affordable home rentals for low-income earners.

There are programs for low-income housing put together by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development but even for this, there is usually a long list of people awaiting approval.

For you to be able to get government housing assistance easily, it is advisable to seek information from the right agencies and authentic sources to be prepared to pursue getting government assistance on housing.

Steps To Find Low-Income Housing Without The Waiting List

It is possible to skip the long waiting list to be able to get the low-income housing of your choice by following some of the steps below in getting your own rental space.

➡️Research online

The internet is one place where you can get answers to any question or information that is needed and so you can research online for low-income housing near your location. There are tons of websites that one can sign up to get emails of available housing in your preferred location.

➡️Search for housing in less populated cities

Oftentimes, the waiting list for big cities may be too much and some are closed up because there is high demand. You can choose to make your search for affordable housing in smaller cities to be able to skip the long waiting list in the big cities. The less populated the city is the more chances of getting affordable housing very fast.

➡️Get in touch with the Public Housing Authority near you

This is very important and would also fast-track you to get affordable housing without waiting for so long. There is always a Public Housing Authority office situated in your area and you can approach the officials there, state your business and get feedback from them from time to time.

You would need to always be in constant discussion with the agency till your housing issue is resolved, this would allow them to rush up your housing process in time.

Available Low-Income Housing Programs

There are generally three different types of low-income housing programs in the United States for low-income earners, the elderly, disable, and other special needs people. Below are highlights of the different housing programs.

Public Housing

The public housing program is usually handled by the community Public Housing Authority (PHA) with permission from the federal government. The public housing authority assists low-income earners, the elderly, and people with disabilities to get comfortable housing with affordable rent.

There are several criteria that the applicant must fulfill to be eligible for the housing program. Some of which are, the applicant must be a US citizen and up to 18 years of age. The housing program may be available to a single person considered to be a low-income earner but it is majorly for families with low income and other people with special needs.

For the payment of rent, the tenant must pay about 30% of their monthly income. This used to be the normal tenant rent, but maybe otherwise stated depending on the rules of the public housing authority. To be able to get this type of housing fast, you need to explain your situation to the agencies as it will help you to skip the long list and make you a top priority.

» Check PHA Contact Info

Housing for persons with disabilities

Under section 811, persons with disabilities have a right to live normal and comfortable lives and they are provided with affordable housing under this section. The applicants are eligible when they fulfill several criteria such as low-income earner, disability status, and any other difficult living situation being faced currently by the applicant. This type of housing assistance also may sometimes require a waiting list depending on the community, city, and number of persons applying for the low-income housing scheme.

The tenant rent payment is only about 30% of the net income of the person with a disability or as discussed by the agency or property management company. It is important to note that, the landlord or property management company would not directly give out the housing to the disabled person, but they would be required to go through the appropriate local organization that deals with the section 811 low-income housing policy.

Project-based rental assistance

The section 8 project-based rental assistance program is made for people with low income and is at least 18 years of age. The rental assistance program enables tenants to get subsidies in rent from private landlords in the scheme. The affordable housing program is available for both single persons and families. The single person may be able to get a one-bedroom housing unit if it is available, but most times the housing units are available for families with low income.

For the rental rates, the tenants have to pay 30% of their income or 10% of their gross income depending on the rules of the community public housing agency. Section 8 project-based rental assistance is available for only US citizens nationwide.

Section 202 supportive housing for the elderly

This housing assistance is designed for the elderly or senior citizens since they are considered to have less income than any other individual in the country. To be able to live their lives well till the end, the elderly need to stay happy and continue to enjoy the basic needs of which housing is one of them.

Section 202 supportive housing for the elderly is sponsored by the government as they provide funds to private management companies and non-profit organizations to build affordable housing for the elderly.

The eligible age for senior citizens to enjoy this program is 62 years old and the rent payment is usually 30% of their net income. The elderly under this housing program may opt for accommodation with other housing facilities like food, transportation, bathing, and other independent needs.

Apply here

Section 8 housing choice vouchers

This housing program is very popular in the United States and it is used by many people. The section 8 housing choice voucher is handled by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and is available nationwide.

For rent fees, the tenant of this housing program will have to pay 30% of their household monthly income, and the rest of the payment is completed by the housing authority based on the voucher.

Before applying for this type of low-income housing program, it is advisable to check the income level of the state you wish to apply for because there are varying rules in each state concerning the family income level to be eligible for the low-income housing program. After obtaining the housing voucher, it usually goes to the landlord by the housing authority and tenants can always transfer their voucher to another housing authority after a full year.

Conclusion

Low-income housing can be easy to achieve provided you follow the necessary steps and do a lot of research in the state or city you plan to apply to. It is also important to provide accurate information on previous or current housing status, income level, family, and other necessary documents to be eligible for the low-income housing programs and even to get placed on the top list of applicants.

172 comments

  1. The first week of October I handed my application and all paperwork that was needed for the Housing Authority.
    The lady stated it it would take 2-4 weeks. She also said for me NOT to call them…they’ll call me.
    Today’s date is November 21.
    I have tried to call. Always said she’d call back.
    Never did. What can I do?

    Reply

    1. Please visit the PHA office where you initially submitted your application to check on the progress. Also bear in mind that, there are constantly more applications than are available housing, and this could be the reason of the delay in getting your response.

      Reply

      1. We are currently homeless, and have been staying with family and friends. How can we apply for the voucher, like now?.

        Reply

        1. Hello, you can apply for the Section 8 housing voucher by visiting the HUD website or by getting on touch with the PHA office nearest to you. You can also check the HUD website for the list of the PHA offices in your city or town for quick access.

          Reply

    3. There’s a lot of information on here but when I called HUD he told me to call 211. I would really like to live alone Orange County is so expensive.
      Any suggestions?

      Reply

  3. My mother is a 85 yrs old woman and I am 62 yrs woman who I am my mom care giver. We are about to be homeless by end of a month. We are both on Social Security and I work for IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) part time. I been trying to seek Apartments, Duplexes but credit is below average. I also have a sister who is willing to live with and help paid rent. My sister has a full time job. Can you give me some resources that can help us? Thank you for your time. Sandra

    Email address: ************@gmail.com

    Reply

    1. Hello Sandra,

      The HUD Section 202 housing voucher provides help for the elderly, contact the PHA office nearest to you to start your application process. Also, you can read through our article on Section 202 housing for the elderlyto gain more insight on the steps to take I getting approved on time.

      Reply

      1. my pha in lake county florida does not know what section 202 is, please help fill out an application. I am disabled and i may lose my mobile home. i am very low income.

        Reply

        1. Hi, to fill out the Section 202 form, visit the HUD website here for assistance or call the toll free number: (800) 955-2232.

          Reply

          1. This is tamencea im a single father i never apply for rental assistant i have 2 daughter 14 n 12 .i need help im homeless but stay with a friends can you help me

          2. Hi Tamencea, applying for a section 8 housing voucher is quite simple and you can visit the local housing authority close to you to explain your needs. You might get lucky and be placed on the emergency waiting list.

        3. I have been contacting my pha for over a year now and they keep telling me that the list is not open to apt for section 8. How long before they open the list so I can apply for section 8?

          Reply

          1. Hello Sarah,

            We are sorry to hear that! Have you tried going to their office personally? I suggest if possible to go there and tell them about your situation. They might help you and give you the best way to apply for any program that you can possibly qualify for.

            Also, try reading articles from this website, it might help. https://affordablehousingheroes.com/

            Thank you!

          1. I have already done that. They told me I will have to wait 10 – 24 months when my voucher becomes available. My income is $ 1389.00 a month, and I have a car note , insurance and Medigap.
            I was told there was no way to get help sooner. I have applied to several sites that say there is no waiting list.
            Also section 8 and HUD.
            THANKS Mary

          2. Hello Mary, due to the increased amount of applications received each year by the HUD, it tends to take longer time before applications are approved. I advice you keep updating your application and keep close track of it so that you immediately you get approved, you would be notified.

        2. Yes I am on waiting list an disable three people has gotten killed since I have been in Midlothian village please please help me to get my section eight please I am scared to walk outside in daylight

          Reply

          1. Hello, you can visit the PHA office where your application is been processed to explain your current living conditions to them. Yu might get lucky and you are then placed on the emergency waiting list.

      3. Can I find low income ihousing for me 59year old just got heart surgery and on disability my son of49 years old caretaker for me we need hime

        Reply

        1. Hi, you can find low-income housing by visiting the local housing authority office and you can also submit an online application here.

          Reply

          1. Hi there my name is Brandon and I am disabled and I am in the Lincoln courts in San Antonio Texas and I have been here for over 5 years and I have not been in trouble at all I have been here for a long while now and I am disabled and I really need to get section 8 and I have not been doing anything bad please email me at **** or call my mom she is my power of attorney and she will help me out thanks and God bless I want to go to section 8 so I can have my son spend the nite my x is scared of the naborhood so the sooner the better

      4. Hi this is cathy I’m still waiting for section 8 housing I’m really in need of a place to live

        Reply

    2. I’m a victim/survivor of domestic violence. My husband shot and paralyzed me from the waist down and left me with a lot of other medical problems because of the shot. I’m currently in the projects and recently he’s been calling me and knows where I live. I can get an emergency transfer but that will just keep me in the city. I need section 8 and it’s closed in NYC. The front door is always broken so anyone walks in and housing is constantly fixing it to no avail. I don’t know how to get section 8 and I need help immediately so what I’m basically telling you is not to hold your breath.

      Reply

      1. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program enables low-income New York City families to find affordable housing by paying a portion of their income toward rent. Funds to pay the rental subsidy are provided by the federal government through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To apply for the NYC Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, you will need to contact or visit your local housing authority.

        Reply

      2. I’m a retired motion picture studio Worker 74 years old got sick in my second year of retirement need help

        Reply

        1. The HUD renders housing assistance for the senior citizens and the disabled, you can get these assistance by contacting the PHA office.

          Reply

    3. I’ve been retired full-time for over a year now and moved south to escape the snow belt. The problem is many others do also and that makes rentals go up. I get the avg. SSI check but my rental w/utilities is too much for me.

      Reply

      1. Hi Thomas, when you apply for the Section 8 housing voucher, you can get a home of your choice. You can apply at the PHA or online.

        Reply

    5. I am 61 1/2 . And can’t work because I am on oxygen 24/7.my husband also receives SSDI. Is there some help I can get. We have to move out of our house by 9-1. Thank you

      Reply

    7. I don’t know where to put my number to see if I’m not on the waiting list I’m having a hard time. If you could help that would be wonderful thank you.

      Reply

      1. Hello Irene,

        You can check your status here: https://www.waitlistcheck.com/

        Hope it helps, thank you!

        Also, If you are a person who is struggling or you have a family member, friend, or anybody struggling to get a home or is currently homeless, join us to discuss these topics and let us help each other.

        We love to hear your heartful thoughts on some matters regarding the housing programs and situations in the United States.

        Pls come and join our growing community: https://family.affordablehousingheroes.com

        See you there, thank you!

        Reply

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