Section 8 Assistance Program for African Americans

There are many African Americans around the United States that are suffering due to the high housing costs. They are not alone, because it is something that most people in the country are experiencing. With the costs of everything rising, including housing, it is making many people need to turn to helpful assistance programs, such as Section 8, in order to avoid being homeless.

While the rising costs of housing in the country are a big problem for millions of people, there is a silver lining. The good news is that the government does offer housing assistance programs to help those who are having a difficult time finding affordable housing or paying for their rent. Those who have a low income may be able to get help paying for their housing each month.

Section 8 Explained

The part of the federal government that handles housing issues in the country is called the Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They have numerous programs in place that will help African Americans with their housing issues, whether they own a home or they are renters. One of the most popular programs they offer is known as Section 8.

The Housing Act of 1937 established the Section 8 program, which provides African Americans and others who qualify with housing assistance. The program is also called the Housing Choice Voucher Program, and many people refer to it as the voucher program. While there are several ways that people refer to the program, it is the same one that aims to help ensure those who have a low income can pay their rent.

Facts About Section 8

The housing voucher program, or Section 8, is available in all 50 states. The main qualification for being approved for the program is one’s income level. The program is for those who have a low income. To qualify for the program you will have to show your income information to prove that you meet the low income guidelines and are eligible to receive rental assistance.

Those who are approved for the program will be able to rent a house and pay only 30% of their income for rent. If the rent exceeds that amount, then the federal government will pay for the rest to ensure that the rent is paid. Any amount that HUD pays toward your rent will be sent directly to the landlord on your behalf. They do not send the money to the individuals who are in the program.

Waiting Period

As the cost of rent rises more people need help through the Section 8 or housing voucher program than ever before. This has led to a wait list to get the housing help that people need. The sooner you apply for the Section 8 program, the better chances you will be of getting the help quicker. Depending on the area you live in, you may have a wait list after applying for the help. In some places there are long waiting periods to get housing assistance. There are some things that can help get you moved up the list and receiving assistance quicker.

The things that can help you move up the waiting list include being homeless, living in a condition that is considered to be substandard, paying more than half of your income to rent, or being displaced from where you live involuntarily. If you meet one of these conditions you may be able to be moved up the list quicker, so that you receive the housing assistance quicker than others who don’t meet any of the conditions.

How to Apply for Section 8

African Americans and others who wish to apply for the HUD housing assistance programs have several options. They can contact the HUD office in their state, or contact their state housing authority or local public housing authority. Depending on where you live, it may be easier and more convenient to contact one place or another. All of the options should provide you with the information you need to apply for Section 8 locally.

To find your state HUD office, click here.

To find your state public housing authority office, click here.

There are also public housing authority offices in many cities around the country. To find one near the city where you live, simply do a Google search for your city name and public housing authority. It should bring up the local offices so you can find the one that is closest to you. All of these offices can provide more information about Section 8, as well as help you apply for it. It doesn’t matter if you apply on the local or federal level, because it is the same program and will still give you access to the help you need paying for your rent.

Choosing a Place to Live

Those who are approved for a housing voucher to help pay for their rent may wonder what type of unit they can get. There are limits and guidelines that people who are getting the help must follow in order to be approved for the rental assistance. Those who are approved for the program will be informed about the size of home they can rent, which the government determines by their income level.

Once you find a housing unit that you would like to rent and have Section 8 help pay for then you will need to have it inspected. The inspection is done by the public housing authority in your area. The reason or the inspection is to ensure that the unit meets basic safety conditions. The government does require that the landlord ensure that the housing unit meets the safety guidelines set forth.

Once living in a unit you can choose to move to a different one and still get help from the program, but you have to continue to meet the guidelines. The housing unit also has to meet the safety standards and be inspected. No matter what unit you choose you will continue to pay 30% of your income for the rent, and they will provide help paying the rest if it is an approved unit.

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