(UnitedCause.com) Covering expenses like rent can be challenging for some Americans, especially during times of economic turmoil. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers rental assistance programs for Americans struggling to cover their expenses. Americans with rental challenges are encouraged to check out HUD’s rental assistance programs.
HUD’s Main Rental Assistance Programs
HUD offers five main rental assistance options that serve many struggling American families. These rental assistance programs include:
Public Housing
These are housing projects owned and managed by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) that get capital and operational support from the federal government. The public housing program assists some of the nation’s poorest households, including the elderly and those with disabilities.
Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance
These are rental subsidies tied to a privately owned housing unit. Low-income families who move into the housing units pay a lower rent based on their earnings.
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
This program includes vouchers which are portable subsidies that low-income families may utilize to reduce their private-market rentals. Quasi-governmental Public Housing Bodies (PHAs) administer these vouchers at the local level.
Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
These programs offer assisted housing and supportive services for low-income older people, defined by HUD as households including at least one person aged 62 or older.
Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
This program ensures that persons with disabilities live in the community rather than institutions through affordable and accessible housing.
Who is Eligible for HUD’s Rental Assistance Programs?
The legislation governing eligibility for HUD rent assistance programs utilizes the word “family” to designate eligibility. The following are the qualifications:
- A single person
- Elderly families living together
- Disabled families
- A group of people residing together
- Families with two or more elderly or near-elderly individuals or persons with disabilities living together
- Near-elderly families where the head of household is at least age 50 but younger than 62
Participants must meed income guidelines as well, which may vary depending on geographic location.
Find Rental Assistance in Your State
Covering a rental expense can be challenging for some Americans. Anyone struggling is encouraged to apply. Click here to find rental help in any state.
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