As a single mother, you aren't just the sole caretaker for your children. You're also the sole earner for your household. As a result, it can be hard to meet all your financial needs. The coronavirus pandemic has caused housing problems for many families, especially single mothers. Of course, any changes to your finances can make it hard to find affordable housing, even in a great economy. That being said, we've put together a list of options when it comes to rent assistance for single moms.
Programs offering rent assistance for single moms
Below is a list of some programs offering rent assistance for single mothers.
The public housing program
The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers the public housing program. This program helps provide safe rental housing for low-income families. In order to qualify for this program, you must be a low-income family, elderly person, or have a disability.
More than a million public housing units are across the country, and about 3,300 different public housing authorities manage these units. To apply, start by visiting the HUD's website to find your local public housing authority.
Housing choice voucher program (Section 8)
The housing choice voucher program is another HUD program for low-income families. This program doesn't provide actual housing as the public housing program does. Instead, it gives out vouchers to help low-income families rent units in private housing.
The family is responsible for finding housing where the owner agrees to the rent under the program. The landlord's payments come directly from the public housing agency on the renter's behalf; then, the family pays the difference between the rent charged and the program's reduced amount. Contact your nearest HUD office to apply.
Subsidized housing
The federal government has a HUD program for subsidized housing. This program gives property owners money to motivate them to offer low-rent apartments. This program allows renters to apply directly with the landlord or property manager. The property manager will then disclose income limits for each unit.
Also, property owners can force other requirements. Use the HUD affordable housing locator to find privately-owned subsidized rentals near you.
USDA rental assistance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers various programs to help families find affordable homes in rural areas. A rural area is housing that is located outside of urban areas. These programs help low-income tenants who can't pay their full rent. They help by providing payments to the property owners on the renter's behalf.
To be eligible for these programs, you must be a low or very-low-income tenant in a rural area. This is a great option for single moms looking for a home in the country. You can use the USDA website to find affordable rural rentals in your area.
State agency programs offering rent assistance for single moms
Just like the federal government, each state has a housing agency. Many states have rental assistance programs to help low-income families with housing costs. For more information, contact your state's housing agency or authority.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides a variety of programs to help individuals in need. Their services include:
- Homeless shelters for those without a place to stay
- Housing for those recently evicted
- Housing for those dealing with a domestic breakup, or any other housing crisis
- Permanent supportive housing for elderly and low-income individuals
For more information, visit the Salvation Army website.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities USA offers affordable housing programs to vulnerable residents. They do this by providing emergency shelter and long-term help to those in need. This includes rent assistance for single moms.
CCUSA currently has more than 35,000 permanent housing units around the country. 1,200 new units are being built to help aid more families. To find Catholic Charities services near you, visit the CCUSA website.
CoAbode
CoAbode is an organization designed to help single mothers connect and create a community. Their mission is to help two single mothers share a home and raise their children together. As a result, both mothers benefit from a reduction in housing expenses of about 40%.
They also enjoy the companionship and support they get from one another. Mothers also carpool to increase social interaction in the community. You can visit CoAbode's website to learn more about their programs.
Local non-profit organizations
Nationwide, non-profit organizations work to help people improve their lives in their communities. These organizations provide housing solutions or financial assistance to help low-income individuals. Simply do a search of non-profit organizations in your city, county, or state to learn more.
In conclusion: Rent assistance for single mothers can help
Raising children on your own brings its own unique financial challenges. Luckily, there are plenty of organizations offering rent assistance for single moms. If you are currently facing housing concerns, start exploring these programs to find an affordable housing solution. Above all, keeping your family safe is most important. P.S. Here are some tips on how to create a single mom budget.