Do you Qualify for Low Income Apartments?
In order to be considered “low-income,” your must have an income less than 80% of the area that you live.
For those that earn below 80% of the Area Median Income, they may be eligible to receive financial support through several housing programs that each have their own policies and specialties. Common housing programs are:
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Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
One of the common affordable housing programs, Section 8 Housing participants only need to pay 30% of their monthly income towards rent while the rest is covered by HCV. This housing program is run the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
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Public Housing
Public Housing is a program where Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) - often referred to as housing authorities - own properties and lease them to participants of the program at a reduced rate of their choosing. Participates can choose to pay either 30% of their monthly adjusted income, 10% of their monthly income, or between $0-$50 depending upon the specific housing authority they are renting from.
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Project-Based Section 8 Rental Assistance
This program helps private landlords rent to low income individuals by providing these landlords with a government subsidy. Like the Public Housing program, this program is overseen by local Public Housing agencies. If an individual qualifies, they are given the option of paying 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards rent, 10% of their monthly income, or a minimum rent - in this case - $25.
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Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Similar to the previous type of low income assistance, Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly is a program that provides government subsidies to private apartment communities or private landlords, so that they can supply seniors with affordable housing. Seniors pay 30% of their net income for rent and the housing program provides the rest.