Ask your power company about assistance programs available.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) help low-income individuals and families have access safe housing that is affordable. The programs offered through HUD help with rent payments and assist those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The U.S. Department of Energy can offer assistance with utility bills. An individual can access rental and utility bill help through a local housing authority office or community agency.
Utility Bill Help
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households pay for utility bills. Also offered is energy crisis assistance to households that received a power shut-off notice. In addition to utility help, LIHEAP provides programs that teach households to warm themselves safely when it is cold without using items that may pose a danger to the home, such as grills and ovens. Many utility companies provide information about accessing energy assistance in the paperwork they send with the monthly bill.
Public Housing
Community housing agencies, such as housing authority offices, that manage qualified rental properties receive federal funds from HUD. These funds allow the community housing agency to offer low-income tenants affordable rent prices in a safe environment. Those who are disabled and the elderly may also qualify to live in public housing rental units. According to HUD, 1.2 million households in the U.S. access public housing services through about 3,300 community housing agencies. Public housing options can range from apartments to single-family homes.
Section 8 Housing
HUD offers Section 8 housing through the Housing Choice Voucher program, which offers help with rental payments. This program allows qualified individuals and families to live in a rental property of their choice, regardless if the property is privately owned or part of a public housing program. Qualified privately owned rental properties are those that have proprietors that accept Section 8 vouchers. In the Housing Choice Voucher program, the tenant must pay 30 percent of her monthly income towards rent and utilities, and the program will pay the remaining balance. If the rental price does not meet the fair-market rent rate, the tenant must also pay the difference between the rental rate and the market rate.
Homeless Rental Assistance
The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) is part of a federal stimulus program that helps families and individuals who need rent assistance because they are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The HPRP awards funds to nonprofit organizations and charities that help this population so they can assist with homeless prevention services, rental payments, back rent, security deposits or eviction prevention. An organization can also use HPRP funds to help those who are homeless find independent, stable housing.
Tags: Choice Voucher, Choice Voucher program, community housing, help with, homeless risk, housing agencies
