Homeless? Can’t Pay Rent? Want To Buy A House? Read This

Here are some of the best of the bunch that can improve your housing situation soon.

Enjoying affordable housing is a goal many households have in this country. Unfortunately, affordable housing is not a reality for some, which is why assistance programs have been launched to help those in need. Here are some housing and assistance programs that can help you maintain a roof over your head while taking a financial load off your shoulders.

To End Or Avoid Homelessness

The coronavirus pandemic made it impossible for many to pay their rent on time. While an eviction moratorium kept families off the streets, such protection has ended in most locations. If you find yourself living on the streets or are near that point because of eviction due to nonpayment of rent or other issues, call 211 first. The service will connect you with a local operator that can help you find the nearest homeless shelter, rent assistance, or other housing programs to get you off the streets.

The benefits of calling 211 don’t end with housing, though, as the service offers assistance with finding food, healthcare, paying bills, substance abuse counseling, and much more. In short, a quick call to 211 may be all you need to fix your financial problems and end homelessness.

Besides 211, the Salvation Army can also help you find a homeless shelter. Some chapters even offer rent assistance, food, clothing, and more. And don’t forget to call your local Community Action Agency either, as they can help you find a shelter or possibly give you motel vouchers, so you have a safe place to sleep at night.

To Make Rent More Affordable

Rents are skyrocketing everywhere, so if you were struggling with paying your landlord before, that problem is probably even worse now. To make rent more affordable in the long term, apply for a Section 8 voucher through your nearest Public Housing Agency. It will limit your rent costs to just 30 percent of your income.

Another way to make rent more affordable is through rental assistance grants. If applicable, you can find these in your city or county by searching Google. And if you are behind on your rent and utility bills, try to see if your area has an emergency rental assistance program. These became quite popular during the pandemic, and some still exist.

To Buy A Home On Limited Income

If you want to get out of the rat race of being a renter, homebuyer assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) could help. There are many programs for first-time homebuyers that can help you get a mortgage with very little money down. And if you want to repair or modify your existing home with the help of the government, there are programs for that too. This page from the HUD will connect you with programs to buy a home, modify or repair one, plus housing counselors to help throughout the process.