Affordable Rental Housing

---

---

Affordable Rental Housing in America is getting harder and harder to come by. One in four Americans now spend more than half of their monthly wages on rent. To qualify for rental properties, you are expected to prove your earnings are three times your rental amount, which feels impossible if you working full time earning minimum wage, or even if you are earning well above minimum wage. It is now almost impossible to rent a two-bedroom apartment in any US city without it being a cost burden. The housing crisis is leading to homelessness, but we can provide access to resources that can help you find affordable rental housing, rental assistance, and housing programs so you and your family are not left to face homelessness.

There are several government programs that help people find affordable rental housing. People with low income, seniors, and people with disabilities may qualify for help from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to get affordable rental housing. HUD doesn't own rental property. It gives money to states and building owners, who provide low-income housing opportunities to people facing homelessness. There are three main types of housing programs that are supported by HUD, subsidized housing, public housing, and housing choice vouchers (formerly known as section 8), these are very different programs, and you need to know which one to apply for that will help your specific situation. To get the details on how they work, how to qualify, and how to apply, you can visit: Access Here

The coronavirus pandemic has also created a larger need for affordable rental housing and housing assistance. If you have experienced unemployment because of the pandemic you may be eligible for rental assistance support by your state HUD program. In addition, a federal eviction moratorium from the CDC is currently in place to help Americans stay in their homes if they can’t pay rent. To find out if you qualify:

• Contact your state HUD office to find out about rental assistance programs, or
• Call 877-542-9723 to speak with a housing counselor at HUD's Disaster Response Network

Get Personalized Help with Your Search

Find a HUD-approved housing counselor in your area online or call 1-800-569-4287 to find a local housing counseling agency. The counselor may be from a non-profit organization approved to offer advice on housing assistance.

If you need to find affordable housing fast and can not wait to be approved through HUD or are placed on a waiting list, there are other options. Mercy House serves most Americans and it handles every aspect of the affordable housing process, from project financing and housing development to community outreach and long-term resident services. Each Mercy Housing community has its own leasing office and its own application process. You can find more information about Mercy house and other affordable housing programs on our resource directory located here: (insert Resource Directory for RB)

Here is a direct link to learn more about Mercy House and affordable rental housing: Access Here