Housing Help for Low-Income Families

Federal and state government organizations offer a wide variety of assistance programs for low-income families. These programs can help with your mortgage, rent or foreclosure issues, medical and utility bills, and an array of additional assistance. In addition, the government offers education and job training to help people get back on their feet.

This article will specifically discuss U.S. government housing assistance for low-income families.

Eligibility Requirements

Be certain to check the current Federal Poverty Guidelines for the programs mentioned in this article to determine eligibility.

There are a number of state and federal programs that are designed to help low-income families afford a home mortgage. The U.S. government wants to help people become homeowners as this helps to stabilize the economy during difficult times.

FHA

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is now part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), has been helping families with home loans since 1934 including credit approval, low down payments and closing costs. Here is a list of the type of assistance available.

• If you are buying your first home, the FHA can help with a low down payment and roll your fees and closing costs directly into your mortgage loan.
• If you are looking to purchase a home that needs a lot of work or repair a home that you already own, the FHA will help you refinance the cost of the repairs into your mortgage loan.
• If you are looking to buy a factory-built home or mobile home, the FHA offers separate loan programs for this type of purchase.
• For seniors, age 62 or older, who live in a home that they own, the FHA Reverse Mortgage Program allows you to convert some of your home equity into cash.
• If you are looking to upgrade your home’s energy efficiency, the FHA will help you include the costs into an “energy-efficient mortgage.”

Making Homes Affordable

In an effort to stabilize the U.S. housing market, the Obama Administration developed a comprehensive plan to assist homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage payments. The Making Homes Affordable (MHA) program offers solutions such as:

• Mortgage refinancing
• Lowering monthly payments
• Avoiding foreclosure
• Mortgage relief while job searching

For information on a rental assistance program listed below, please contact your local Public Housing Agency.

HUD (Housing and Urban Development)

Assists apartment owners in offering rent to low-income tenants at a reduced rate. Search for a qualified HUD apartment complex and apply with the management office.

Public Housing

Offers affordable rental housing for the elderly, persons with disabilities and low-income families.

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

Financial assistance through vouchers for low-income families to help pay for part or all of their privately-owned rental housing. This can be any rental unit of your choice.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Low-income families can reduce their energy bills with the Weatherization Assistance Program. The available funds provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are used to help make homes more energy efficient. These efforts improve the health and safety of low-income homes while lowering the cost of energy and reducing the country’s dependence on foreign oil.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The mission of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of their household income for home energy, to meet their immediate home energy needs. The program consists of:

• Bill payment assistance
• Energy crisis assistance
• Weatherization
• Energy related home repairs

Lifeline Across America

This government program is supported by the Universal Service Fund. Lifeline Across America provides discounts on phone service ensuring that eligible households have the security and opportunities of having a phone for emergencies, job searching, etc.

As we’ve discussed, there are a variety of state and federal housing assistance programs to help low-income families that meet the specific guidelines. You may be interested in researching additional low-income programs that help with issues such as:

• Children’s Services
• Health/Medical
• Nutrition
• Veterans, Disabled and Seniors
• Job Training
• Education

Good luck!

This is Sharyn’s Slant

Please click HERE TO GO TO THE PROFILE PAGE. Then click on FOLLOW next to the profile picture.

Go to the SIGN IN PAGE to get started now!