RoxanneWhat happens if you don’t pay your rent on time? At first, you get complaints from your landlord. But if it happens too many times or excessive time passes before you pay, you could get evicted and find yourself living on the streets.
What are your options if you have issues paying your rent? You could look for a higher-paying job, work a second job, or start doing some side gigs for extra cash. You could also turn to friends and family to see if you can stay with them until you get your finances in order.
Those are options many people tend to turn to, but they often forget this one: Getting help from the government. Let’s discuss one way Uncle Sam can help you in this regard via the public housing program.
An Intro to Public Housing
The name “public housing” almost makes it seem like a punishment – as if you’d be living in some downtrodden place because you have no other options. And while some may have that opinion of public housing without knowing any better, here’s the truth: Public housing can save you money while putting you into a safe single-family home, apartment, or townhome.
Those three types of properties offered under the public housing umbrella are all owned by the state. In other words, the government will be your landlord should you be accepted into the program. As such, you will not only apply through a local Public Housing Agency (PHA), but you will also have to pass their interview so they can see that you’re a solid fit as a tenant.
What’s the main benefit of public housing? The fact that it can greatly reduce the amount of rent you have to pay each month. But before you can enjoy this benefit, you’ll have to apply and show that you’re eligible for the program.
How To Become Eligible for Public Housing
As you may expect, public housing was instituted to help those in need. It serves many low-income families, as well as people with disabilities and senior citizens.
As part of the screening process, the PHA will look at your citizenship, whether you’re a low-income family, senior, or have a disability, and if your income does not exceed the program’s limits. Depending on where you live and the PHA’s requirements, you may also have some other factors that will be considered.
How can you find that your income makes the cut and that you meet other public housing requirements? You guessed it, by contacting your PHA and telling them you’d like to apply.
Your PHA will have all the info you need to start the application process. They will tell you which documents are necessary for verification and what’s necessary to get the ball rolling.
Since waiting lists for public housing tend to be long, your best bet is to contact your PHA now without delay. The sooner you do, the quicker you’ll have those keys to your new, affordable home.
