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Top 10 Ways to Get Housing Assistance

Top 10 Ways to Get Housing Assistance

Are you eligible for housing assistance? The answer may surprise you! We’ve found 10 housing assistance programs that may be able to help you.

As you review our list, it’s important to remember that each program and organization can set their own eligibility requirements. Some may be able to help you, others may not. If one doesn’t work for you, just move on to the next.

Emergency Housing Assistance

If you are in an emergency situation and need shelter, there are programs that can help you. We have found many homeless shelters, transitional housing programs and long-term supportive housing options for people in crisis.

211 Helpline

Call 211 as soon as possible! They can help you navigate local resources such as shelters in your area. They can also connect you with homeless prevention services, if you aren’t already homeless. I cannot overstate how important it is to connect with 211 right away if you’re homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army offers comprehensive housing programs including shelters, transitional housing and more. They help tens of thousands of people every night in America. If you’re facing homelessness or need emergency assistance, it’s always a good idea to reach out to your local Salvation Army.

Motel Vouchers

There are many local and nationwide organizations that can provide motel vouchers for people who are experiencing housing insecurity. This service is often organized by small local Churches, so please contact your local Church or Community Action Council to see if they know of any services like this in your area.

Get Help Finding Housing

Finding affordable housing can be a challenge! If you need help finding safe, stable housing, then you may want to check out the resources in this section.

Public Housing

If you need help finding affordable housing, your Public Housing Authority may be able to help you. You can also apply for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers with your local PHA! They also coordinate public housing, which are housing units owned by the government that are rented to low income families or at-risk families.

Even aside from their traditional housing assistance programs, though, they are generally well-connected to the community and know where you can find more affordable rentals.

Housing Assistance for Renters

If you are renting, then you know how expensive and overwhelming rent can be. Most people are just one emergency away from being unable to pay their rent. Fortunately, there are programs that can help you with your rent payments.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program can help you pay your rent! Through this program, the government provides a rent subsidy that pays a percentage of your rent.

The downside? It takes a while to be approved for this program. Even after you are approved, you’ll need to find a landlord who is willing to take the voucher and work within the rules of the program. Some landlords will not accept Section 8 at all.

However, this program has provided a tremendous amount of housing assistance to those who have successfully applied and used these vouchers.

You can apply for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers with your local Public Housing Authority. Some PHAs will even let you use these vouchers toward the purchase of your own home!

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

Some of the rental assistance programs that began in 2020 still have funds left! If you need help with your rent, check out your local Emergency Rental Assistance Program and see if it’s still operational. Some states have closed them, other states are leaving them open for a while.

Rental Assistance Grants

If you need help paying your rent right now, don’t worry. We’ve found tons of resources for you. Here’s a list of rental assistance grants you need to know about.

First-Time Homebuyer Housing Assistance

If you dream of owning your own home, you’ll be glad to know that we’ve found programs that can help you purchase your own property! There are many different down payment assistance programs, grant programs, and even low-cost loan programs that can help you with your home purchase. Here’s a full list of first-time homebuyer assistance programs.

Housing Assistance for Homeowners

Own your own home? We’ve found help for you, too. There are programs that can help homeowners with their mortgage payments, home repairs, disability modifications and more.

Home Repair & Modification Grants

If you need help with an expensive repair or disability modification, then you need to know about this. We’ve found countless grants and assistance programs that can help you make those adjustments. We’ve organized the list by state for your convenience. Find the grant you need right here!

Housing Counselors

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a Housing Counseling program. This program provides information on homes, rentals, default, foreclosure avoidance, and more. Agencies that are participating in HUD’s Housing Counseling Program are not allowed to charge consumers for these specific services. You can call (800) 569-4287 or search online for a housing counselor near you.

Nicole is the owner and lead researcher for Low Income Relief. She has over 20 years of professional research and writing experience, and she has been solely dedicated to investigating low income topics for the last 10 years. Nicole started Low Income Relief after a personal experience with poverty. When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Since then, Nicole has been dedicated to helping low income families in crisis. She regularly spends hundreds of hours combing through countless resources to make sure that Low Income Relief has the most comprehensive and complete resource directories on the internet today. Prior to starting Low Income Relief, Nicole worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications.

jenny

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

I'm in Portland Oregon needing help with past years property tax before I go into forclosure.

Catherine Marucci

Wednesday 28th of February 2024

Hi Jenny. Here's some info on getting help with property tax: https://lowincomerelief.com/property-tax-relief/

R. Smith

Saturday 13th of January 2024

We live in Iowa, and are homeless, and no transportation but not sure who to turn to for help as every place we have been to keeps turning us down repeatedly and my husband is mentally disabled and my health is not the best, do you know where we can go for help?

Catherine Marucci

Monday 15th of January 2024

Hi. Here are some resources. I hope they help! https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-be-homeless/ https://lowincomerelief.com/hotel-vouchers-for-homeless-people/ https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-get-help-if-youre-homeless/ https://lowincomerelief.com/assistance-with-transportation/

Michael Runnels

Sunday 19th of November 2023

i need heip for lowincome family and Handcap familys

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 21st of November 2023

Hi. This article may be helpful: https://lowincomerelief.com/financial-help-for-disabled-people/

Craig Anderson

Friday 13th of October 2023

I read that when I apply for SNAP I will automatically be assigned a caseworker. I'm homeless and in a shelter. I've never heard from a caseworker. I have PTSD and I'm actively looking for work. I'm skilled in property maintenance and I've proposed that hiring me to address the numerous issues on location would be a win win for both of us. I'm encouraged to find a job but my proposal isn't being taken seriously. So I've been doing work here and I've received a gift card here and there. I just can't understand why they don't get it. They made me leave my camp and offered me a room in this shelter but I couldn't bring my belongings with me. The staff sits behind laptops watching us on cameras waiting to see something they don't like. So they can make absurd rules, if broken then my residency is at risk. I'm broken but trying to make my future better. Who can I trust to help me?

Catherine Marucci

Tuesday 17th of October 2023

Hi Craig. Here are some other ways to get a caseworker: https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-get-a-caseworker/

Leaaron

Friday 23rd of June 2023

Miss Thelin, I live in Kansas and over 60 years of age and i need Property tax help to my last years taxes and for now i have no resources to pay them. Do you know of any help or grants or something that i can help me now? I like your work and resources and they have been of immense help before. Thank You!

Catherine Marucci

Saturday 24th of June 2023

Hi Leaaron. Here's the info we have on getting help with property taxes: https://lowincomerelief.com/property-tax-relief/