This toolkit tells you what you need to know about subsidized housing. Use a different toolkit if you have a court case and are being evicted. For general information about what to do if you are living in subsidized housing, applying for subsidized housing, or may be losing your housing, read the Articles . Read the Common Questions if you have a specific question.
You'll find links to legal aid offices and lawyer referral services under Find A Lawyer. If there is a Self-Help Center in your area you can get more help there. If you need something other than legal help, look in Community Services. If you need a fee waiver, an interpreter, a court to accommodate your disability, or more information about going to court, visit Going to Court.
Common Questions
The biggest factor in qualifying for housing assistance is your income level. Your income must be less than the low-income limit level in your county to qualify for subsidized housing. It must be less than the very low-income limit to qualify for vouchers. You can find the income levels for your county at the HUD Income Limits Documentation website.
Other factors such as if you are a family, a veteran, disabled, a senior, past rental history, or immigration status may also affect getting subsidized housing in your local area.
Many areas have a waiting list for people who are eligible and have been approved for housing assistance. Sometimes the waiting lists are closed. Even if you are likely to be granted assistance, do not count on being able to use subsidized housing or vouchers immediately.
Maybe. When you’re applying for housing assistance, the credit history that matters most is your record of paying rent and utilities. In almost all cases, the subsidized housing provider can consider all the circumstances of your situation, including good explanations for events.