RoxanneWhen you’re raising children on your own, you have to play both mother and father roles. This not only requires a considerable time investment, but a monetary one as well.
What’s one of the biggest budget busters for single parents? Paying the rent, and with housing prices that seem to be growing higher, this can be a significant concern for many single-parent households.
How can you keep a roof over your family’s head with evergrowing expenses? One of the most straightforward solutions would be to get a second job or work extra hours. However, with kids, this isn’t so simple, as you’ll need to pay someone to take care of them while you work.
What’s another option for making rent more affordable? Rental assistance from the government, charities, churches, and the like. Here are some of your best bets.
Where to Get Help Paying Your Rent
There are many options for single parent rental assistance. If none in this list suits your needs, keep looking, and you’ll surely find the right fit.
FEMA
Sometimes, you may run into rent issues due to no fault of your own. Disasters strike all across the country, either natural or humanmade. If you can’t pay the rent specifically due to a disaster, don’t fret, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may help through its Individuals and Households Program (IHP).
Section 8
A disaster can make it impossible to pay the rent temporarily. If, however, you find it hard to pay the rent every month due to your duties as a single parent, Section 8 can make long-term housing much more affordable.
The federal government’s Housing Choice Voucher Program helps low-income households live in safe, sanitary, and decent homes or apartments. If you qualify, the government can take a huge financial load off of your shoulders every month, as you will only have to pay a portion of your income towards the rent. Your housing voucher will pay the rest, allowing you to save money for childcare, an emergency fund, etc.
Public Housing
Another form of long-term rental assistance for single parents is public housing. While Section 8 helps pay a portion of your rent in suitable housing you choose, public housing is a bit different.
You can learn more about public housing here if you find that paying the rent for your own place isn’t manageable anymore.
Housing Counseling Assistance Program
Here’s a resource that works well if you want hands-on help with figuring out your best housing options as a single parent. A housing counselor can give you advice on making rent more affordable, as well as programs that offer such assistance.
Socialserve
This nonprofit organization can make your rent more affordable by helping you find lower-cost housing. By cutting your monthly payment, you won’t have to worry as much about paying the rent on your own while raising your children.
Emergency Rental Assistance for Single Parents
If your rent is due immediately and you fear that you and your children are on the cusp of eviction, here are the three best places to contact for emergency rent assistance:
- Catholic Charities
- Salvation Army
- 211
Each can connect you with the best programs to help pay one month’s rent, utilities, and more.
