Programs to Reduce Rent for Tenants
Updated: Aug 8
Consider Alternatives to Traditional Rent
Consider a Roommate
Especially if you are single, consider a roommate.
Consider Renting a Room Only
Especially if you don’t have kids, consider renting out a room.
Consider a Purchase
Lists of Resources (Mostly Gov. Subsidized & Nonprofit)
Virginia Rental Help Per HUD
Other states: Pull up your state and go to the section on renting.
Need Help Paying Bills has plenty of resources on the subject of help with rent.
Options in Hampton Roads w NHPB
You can also get city-specific info often, i.e. Newport News for rent & other assistance or a combined page for Portsmouth, Norfolk, Suffolk, Franklin, Southampton & Isle of Wight.
Search by City, i.e. in Virginia https://www.rentassistance.us/st/virginia
Search for a Subsidized Apartment
Examples of Options:
Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet (aka Section 8)
Per HUD on 5/11/23, What are housing choice vouchers?
"The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.
The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.
Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.
A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the PHA, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home."
Section 8 Eligibility
Per HUD on 5/11/23, "Am I eligible?
"Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the PHA based on the total annual gross income and family size and is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. In general, the family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. By law, a PHA must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income. Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location. The PHA serving your community can provide you with the income limits for your area and family size.
During the application process, the PHA will collect information on family income, assets, and family composition. The PHA will verify this information with other local agencies, your employer and bank, and will use the information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment.
If the PHA determines that your family is eligible, the PHA will put your name on a waiting list, unless it is able to assist you immediately. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the PHA will contact you and issue to you a housing voucher."
Applying for Section 8
Per HUD on 5/11/23, How do I apply?
"If you are interested in applying for a voucher, contact the local PHA. For further assistance, please contact the HUD Office nearest to you."
The Rent Subsidy
Per HUD on 5/11/23, "The rent subsidy"
"The PHA calculates the maximum amount of housing assistance allowable. The maximum housing assistance is generally the lesser of the payment standard minus 30% of the family's monthly adjusted income or the gross rent for the unit minus 30% of monthly adjusted income."
Options Available to Military, First Responders, & Families of Military:
Gold Star Family Home Program (families of military who died)
Mortgage-free home to surviving spouses with young children
Options Available Unique to Hampton Roads:
Virginia Beach
Williamsburg/James City County
Hampton & Newport News: Housing & Development Corporation of Hampton Roads
Last I checked, apartments start at 550 and homes start at 750. Many clients have case managers for SSI etc. I do not typically recommend it due to the price despite subsidy when you can own a home more cheaply if your credit can substantiate it or if you use a program where credit is not considered, but it’s an option available.
http://hdcofhr.org/properties/
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